The next Fortnite update (v37.51) is happening RIGHT NOW on October 22, [2025], with servers down starting at 4 AM ET. This update adds crucial event files for the upcoming Simpsons collaboration and sets the stage for what’s coming next. Plus, the major Simpsons mini-season launches November 1, 2025.
Look, if you’re reading this on October 22nd, the servers are probably offline right now. Epic’s doing their thing, matchmaking got disabled around 3:30 AM ET, and we’re looking at about 90 minutes to 2 hours of downtime. Should be back up around 5:30-6 AM ET, give or take.
But here’s the deal: while today’s update might seem small on the surface, it’s actually huge because it’s laying the groundwork for one of Fortnite’s biggest collaborations ever. The Simpsons are coming to the island, and honestly? It’s about time.
Let’s be real, Epic hasn’t officially announced much about v37.51. They’re playing it close to the chest like usual. But based on what leakers like ShiinaBR and Hypex have dug up, here’s what’s probably in this patch:
Event Files for the Simpsons Collaboration – This is the big one. Today’s update is basically prepping the game for the end-of-season live event that’ll transition us into Springfield. Think of it like setting up dominoes that’ll fall on November 1st.
Final Fortnitemares Content – We’re in the tail end of Fortnitemares [2025], so expect to see:
Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements – Yeah, the boring stuff, but necessary. Chapter 6 Season 4 has had some quirks that need ironing out.
Shop Asset Updates – New cosmetics getting prepped for release over the next week.
That said, don’t expect map changes or major gameplay overhauls today. This is more of a behind-the-scenes update that’s setting up the real action.
Now THIS is where things get spicy. November 1st is when Chapter 6 Season 4 officially ends and we dive headfirst into what’s being called a “mini-season” – basically a shorter, hyper-focused season built entirely around The Simpsons.
Multiple reliable sources have confirmed this isn’t just a cosmetic crossover. We’re talking full Springfield treatment:
Springfield POIs Coming to the Map
The whole aesthetic is rumored to be cel-shaded, matching The Simpsons’ iconic art style. Imagine running around a cartoon Springfield while everything else stays normal Fortnite style. Wild.
Character Skins You Can Actually Play As
The leaked lineup is pretty stacked:
Plus there’s talk of Kang and Kodos showing up as part of a live event. Those alien dudes from the Halloween specials? Yeah, they’re apparently gonna play a role in transitioning us into the mini-season.
Simpsons Battle Pass
The mini-season will have its own Battle Pass, separate from Season 4. Expected cost is around 950-1,000 V-Bucks. Based on how Epic’s handled mini-seasons before (remember Galactic Battle?), this one should last about 4-6 weeks before we hit Chapter 6 Season 5 or potentially Chapter 7.
Okay, so this feature has been “coming soon” since like, forever. But with the November 1st update, it’s looking more likely than ever that we’ll actually get it.
Here’s what Companions are supposed to do:
Leaked Companion Types:
| Companion | Vibe |
|---|---|
| Turtle with Skateboard | Radical 90s energy |
| Bulldogs | Classic loyal doggo |
| “Doggus” Mecha Team Leader | Robo-dog meets Voltron |
| Looper’s Best Friend | Your standard good boy |
| Fox Companion | Sleek and mysterious |
The petting animations leaked back in August looked genuinely good. Like, actually wholesome gaming content for once. If Epic doesn’t mess this up, Companions could be one of the coolest non-combat features they’ve added in ages.
Let’s break down how we got here and what’s left:
| Update Version | Date | What Dropped |
|---|---|---|
| v37.00 | August 7, [2025] | Season 4 Launch – Bugs everywhere |
| v37.10 | August 26, [2025] | Mid-season content, balance tweaks |
| v37.20 | September 9, [2025] | New weapons, more bug content |
| v37.30 | September 18, [2025] | Dino Megazord arrives! |
| v37.31 | September 25, [2025] | Daft Punk Experience |
| v37.40 | October 2, [2025] | Fortnitemares begins |
| v37.50 | October 9, [2025] | Full Fortnitemares event |
| v37.51 | October 22, [2025] | Event files, final prep |
| v38.00 | November 1, [2025] | The Simpsons mini-season |
As you can see, Epic’s been absolutely cranking out updates this season. It’s been a bit exhausting to keep up with, honestly, but the content flow has been solid.
If you’re reading this while servers are still down:
Check Your Storage Space – Updates can be chunky. Make sure you’ve got at least 10-15GB free to be safe.
Update Your Graphics Drivers – PC players, this is for you. New patches sometimes play weird with outdated drivers.
Plan Your Session – Once servers are back up, you’ll want to jump in and check out any new shop additions. Halloween stuff won’t last forever.
This is the more important prep:
Complete Your Battle Pass – You’ve got about 10 days left. Those bug-themed skins and the Halo/Power Rangers collab items won’t be available after the season ends. No battle pass carries over, no second chances.
Save 1,000 V-Bucks Minimum – The Simpsons Battle Pass will almost certainly cost 950 V-Bucks. Don’t blow your stash on random emotes right now if you want in on Springfield.
Finish Your Fortnitemares Quests – Halloween event quests give solid XP and exclusive rewards. Wrap those up before November hits.
Stock Up on Materials – If you’re grinding levels, gather resources now. The early days of a new season are chaotic, and you want every advantage.
Chapter 6 Season 4 “Shock ‘N Awesome” has been running since August 7, giving us 86 days of bug-infested mayhem. Here’s what defined this season:
The Bug Invasion – Love it or hate it, the insect theme was bold. Giant bugs, hive swarmers, a literal Queen boss. Different, for sure.
Major Collabs
New Features
Honestly? This season has been pretty fire. The bug theme took some getting used to, but the collaborations and content updates kept things fresh. Plus, having weekly updates meant there was always something new to check out.
Quick explainer for newer players: when Epic takes the servers down for an update, here’s the deal:
30 Minutes Before – Matchmaking gets disabled. You can’t queue for new games, but if you’re already in a match, you can finish it.
During Downtime – Servers are completely offline. You can’t play anything. Battle Royale, Creative, Save the World, LEGO Fortnite – all down.
Behind the Scenes – Epic’s pushing the new game files, testing server stability, making sure everything works. It’s not just flipping a switch.
Typical Duration – Minor updates: 1-2 hours. Major seasonal updates: 2-4 hours. Things can run long if unexpected issues pop up.
When It’s Back – Epic announces on Twitter/X when servers are live. You’ll need to download the update before playing.
Beyond the Simpsons stuff, there’s some other interesting leaks floating around:
Dumb Ways to Die Collaboration – Another potential crossover that’s been data-mined. Those cute characters meeting violent ends might fit Fortnite’s vibe, weirdly enough.
More Horror Icons – Fortnitemares [2025] brought a ton of scary movie characters, but there’s always room for more. Chucky? Freddy Krueger? We’ll see.
Chapter 7 Rumors – Some leakers are saying Chapter 7, codenamed “LimeRock,” could drop in December [2025]. That’d be earlier than usual, but with mini-seasons changing up the schedule, anything’s possible.
New Weapon Archetypes – There’s talk of weapon crafting coming back in a different form. Take it with salt until we see actual gameplay.
You’ve got the smoothest update experience usually, but:
Your update process is straightforward, but remember:
Mobile players often get shafted with updates:
Let me save you some heartache:
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute on Battle Pass – I cannot stress this enough. Every season, players scramble in the final days to finish the Battle Pass and many don’t make it. Start grinding NOW if you’re behind.
Don’t Blow All Your V-Bucks – That cool emote in the shop is tempting, but if you want the Simpsons Battle Pass, resist. Springfield isn’t gonna be free.
Don’t Believe Every Leak – Some leakers are legit (ShiinaBR, Hypex, iFireMonkey). Others? Not so much. Wait for multiple sources or official confirmation.
Don’t Skip the Patch Notes – Actually read what changed. Weapon balance shifts can completely alter the meta, and you don’t want to be the last one to know.
Don’t Forget to Claim Your Rewards – Battle Pass rewards don’t auto-claim. Make sure you actually grab them before the season ends.
Want to maximize your experience? Here’s what the sweats do:
Land Smart Day One – New POIs will be absolutely swarmed on November 1st. If you want to actually explore Springfield without getting blasted immediately, drop in Team Rumble or wait a few days.
Study the New Meta – First week of a new season usually has some OP weapons that get nerfed later. Find them, abuse them (ethically), get easy wins.
Complete Early Quests Fast – New season quests give massive XP in the first week. Knock those out ASAP for quick Battle Pass levels.
Save Replays – If something cool happens in Springfield, save that replay. First-week content is always the most memorable.
Join a Decent Discord – Community servers usually have update info faster than official channels. Plus, squad filling is way better than random matchmaking.
Expect 90 minutes to 2 hours, so servers should be back up between 5:30-6 AM ET. Could run longer if there are unexpected issues, but that’s the typical window.
Nope. Once Season 4 ends on November 1st, that Battle Pass is done. Any rewards you didn’t claim are gone forever. Your V-Bucks, owned skins, and account progress all carry over though.
No, but you’ll miss out on the themed skins and items. The mini-season will be playable for everyone, but premium cosmetics require the pass.
No. When servers are down for an update, everything’s offline. No Battle Royale, no Creative, nothing. Go touch grass or watch some Simpsons episodes to prep.
Probably. The initial companions will likely be tied to the Battle Pass or purchasable in the Item Shop. Epic rarely gives away cool new features for free, let’s be honest.
Fortnitemares [2025] runs until the season ends on November 1st. After that, all the Halloween decorations and themed content disappears. The skins you bought stay, obviously, but the spooky island vibe goes away.
Yeah. Mini-seasons are shorter than regular seasons (4-6 weeks instead of 10-12 weeks) and focus on a specific collaboration or theme. Think of it as a special event that’s season-sized.
First, restart your game and device. If problems persist, check Epic’s status page and Twitter for known issues. You can also submit a support ticket, but responses can take a while.
Sometimes updates reset graphics settings or keybinds. Screenshot your current setup just in case. Better safe than sorry.
Unfortunately, no. Fortnite updates become available only after the servers come back online. You’ll have to wait until everything’s live, then download.
Here’s the thing: we’ve had tons of collabs in Fortnite. Marvel, DC, Star Wars, you name it. But The Simpsons feels different because it’s such a cultural institution. 30+ years of television history coming into a game that’s dominated the last several years of gaming culture.
Plus, the way Epic’s handling it – as a full mini-season instead of just skins – shows they’re taking it seriously. This isn’t a cash grab (well, not JUST a cash grab). It’s a legitimate merging of two pop culture giants.
The Companions system is also a game-changer if it lives up to the hype. Fortnite’s been missing that personalization element where you can have a little buddy following you around. It’s not game-breaking, it’s just… nice. Sometimes games need features that are purely for vibes.
Today’s update (v37.51) might seem small, but it’s crucial. Event files going in means we’re getting closer to that big transition. Use the next 10 days to finish your Battle Pass, save your V-Bucks, and mentally prepare for Springfield to collide with the Fortnite island.
November 1st is the date to circle on your calendar. That’s when The Simpsons mini-season drops, potentially bringing the Companions system with it. Whether you’re a longtime Simpsons fan or just here for new Fortnite content, there’s gonna be something for everyone.
The servers are probably back up by now if you’re reading this on October 22nd. Go check out what’s new, finish those Fortnitemares quests, and get ready for what’s honestly shaping up to be one of the wildest collaborations Fortnite’s ever done.
Don’t say “D’oh!” when you forget to complete your Battle Pass before November 1st. You’ve been warned.
