Forts News

[p][/p][hr][/hr][p]After the great success of the latest Legacy tournament, it is time for a more standard event.[/p][p]Tournament 32 will be a 3v3 High Seas tournament, and will be held on March 28th at 7PM UTC for the first round, and April 4th 7PM UTC for the other two rounds. Up to 8 teams may register, with quarterfinals, semifinals and bronze match being Best of 3, while the FInals will be best of 5.[/p][p] [/p][p]Registration will open at 7pm UTC on the 1st of March. In order to register, every participant should ping 42scientist on the Forts Official Discord server with their challengermode team link, steam profile link, logo, and then be invited on Challengermode.

Hosts:
Project Incursus Salzwerk[/p][hr][/hr][p]On to the details.


When will Registration open? [/p][p]March 1st 2026 at [/p][p]11am PST (West Coast USA) [/p][p]2pm EST (East Coast USA) [/p][p]7pm GMT (London) [/p][p]8pm CET (France, Germany) [/p][p]6am March 2nd AEDT (Brisbane Australia) [/p][p]Entries submitted before this time will not be accepted. Once registration has opened the first 8 teams to submit a valid entry will be admitted. Valid entries must fulfill the requirements listed below under How do I join?


How will players be seeded?

Seedings will be based on past results in official events and ranked seasons.


Prizes? [/p][p]The prize pool is as follows: [/p][p]1st place $150 [/p][p]2nd place $75[/p][p]3rd place $30[/p][p]Prizes will only be awarded in the form of Steam digital gift cards, shared equally between the members of the team. To be eligible for prizes, participants must be able to receive Steam gift cards from outside regions. Winners may designate another eligible player to receive their prize.[/p][p]If you have any additional questions please contact us on Discord. [/p][hr][/hr][h2]How do I join?[/h2][p]
In order to participate, you must do the following... [/p][p]Join the Official FORTS Discord [/p][p]Your names on Discord, Steam and Challengermode must match [/p][p]Inappropriate competitor names, logos or team names will not be accepted [/p][p]Send a message on Discord to 42scientist with your CM team profile, logo, team name, composition, and Steam profiles of every player.[/p][p]Registration will not open until March 1st at 7pm UTC [/p][p]Maximum of 8 teams[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Tournament 31 starts March 28th, 2026 at... [/p][p]12pm PDT (West Coast USA) [/p][p]3pm EDT (East Coast USA) [/p][p]7pm GMT (London) [/p][p]8pm CET (France, Germany) [/p][p]6am March 29th AEDT (Brisbane Australia) [/p][p][/p][p]
The FORTS Tournament lobby
The Official FORTS Discord
Challengermode Bracket
[/p][p][/p][p]3v3 Team Death Match[/p][p]Single elimination [/p][p]Moonshot enabled [/p][p]High Seas enabled [/p][p]Tons of Guns enabled [/p][p]Repair Station enabled[/p][p]Portals enabled [/p][p]Commanders enabled, one ban per team per match [/p][p]Choose your fort enabled[/p][p]Co-op on Elimination enabled[/p][p]Draws decided by core damage inflicted (total damage if core health is equal) [/p][p]Maximum of 8 players[/p][p]Check-in on Discord starts 1 hour before tournament [/p][p]Late or absent players forfeit their matches [/p][p]Use of exploits or bugs for self-charging or any other purpose is strictly forbidden. [/p][p]Earthwork Games reserves the right to make changes to this event as needed [/p][p][/p][p]Project Incursus Salzwerk[/p]

• [p]Black Seas[/p]
• [p]Chasm[/p]
• [p]Dark Shoals[/p]
• [p]Fracked[/p]
• [p]Stormy Waters[/p]
• [p]The Four Boatmen[/p]
• [p]The Leviathan[/p]
• [p]Three Frigates
  [/p]

[p]Cheers, EWG[/p]

[p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]Last week, emerging from a pool of 16 players fighting for glory, a few fought their way to the top, in the first of its kind Legacy Tournament. Congratulations for Alexandr for winning 1st place in this tournament, where each round removed a DLC, until nothing but the base game was left![/p][p][/p][p]Alexandr will gain the 1st place prize of $50.[/p][p][/p][p]Alexandr casts cannon rain from his tower[/p][hr][/hr][p]Fighting with cannon on cannon violence during the finals, Ryabzyk was not one to go down so easily, even snatching a victory against Alexandr himself.[/p][p]Ryabzyk will get the 2nd place prize of $25.[/p][p][/p][p]Ryabzyk revisits wooden doors[/p][hr][/hr][p]Meanwhile, after being defeated by Alexandr during the semifinals, schuka won a clean 2-0 against PixSnips in the bronze match, breaking the cycle by using lasers instead of cannons![/p][p]Schuka will obtain the 3rd place prize of $10. [/p][p][/p][p]Schuka has a concentratinator at home[/p][hr][/hr][p]This tournament was not only a first in terms of playstyle, but also in terms of player diversity. Indeed, while a lot of regulars were present, most of them were eliminated by players which don't typically reach the final stages in other tournaments, so congratulations to everyone involved![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]1st Place - $50[/h3][p]Alexandr[/p][p][/p][h3]2nd Place - $25[/h3][p]Ryabzyk[/p][p][/p][h3]3rd Place - $10[/h3][p]Schuka[/p][p][/p][p]*Winners have been contacted and prizes will be issued as Steam Digital Gift cards via Steam friends upon expiration of Steam's 3-day friend waiting period.[/p][p][/p][h2]Challengermode Bracket[/h2][p]Check it out here![/p][h2]Replays & VODs[/h2][p]As always, thanks to our hosts and casters, Project Incursus, Baumstander, and Vykro. Tournament replays are now available in the Featured tab of the Replays menu in-game, and tournament videos are available below:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]

[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]Congratulations to Carrygan (more widely known as Julian), winner of Season 39. Taking second is Александр, and in third is Vykro's Brother (aka Dranistian). While the top 3 places receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze, every eligible player finishing within the top 20 will receive a Season 39 Medal. Congratulations to all medalists as well![/p][p] [/p][hr][/hr][h2]1v1 Leaderboard[/h2]

1. [p]Carrygan[/p]
2. [p]Александр[/p]
3. [p]Vykro's Brother[/p]
4. [p]Ryabzyk[/p]
5. [p]Luis[/p]
6. [p]klaualles[/p]
7. [p]I am myself[/p]
8. [p]The Schnake[/p]
9. [p]Nils[/p]
10. [p]Hopser[/p]
11. [p]BaumstaenderTTV[/p]
12. [p]Alesio[/p]
13. [p]Brucepixar[/p]
14. [p]ニャミ•キメラ[/p]
15. [p]Matzi2.0[/p]
16. [p]90315[/p]
17. [p]Hype[/p]
18. [p]7891[/p]
19. [p]Domy[/p]
20. [p]Infinitypower[/p]

[hr][/hr][p]
[/p][h3]Ranked Statistics[/h3][p]- Early aggression is back! Mortar, rocket, and missile aficionados rejoiced at recent balance changes. [/p][p]- Spook, the most popular commander of Season 38, saw their pickrate plunge by 7.5%.[/p][p]- Shockenaugh's winrate skyrocketed by an amazing 14% over last season.[/p][p]- Over 30,000 total matches were played in Season 39[/p][p]- The latest patch brings with it a number of ranked improvements, including automated rollover, better match resolution handling, and enhanced monitoring for overall match integrity.[/p][p]Commanders listed in order of popularity. Winrate percentages shown on the Y scale, and below each commander
[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Season 40[/h2][p]Season 40 is already underway and will run through midnight UTC March 31st. This season's map pool consists of the following battlefields: [/p]

• [p] Battlegrounds 1v1[/p]
• [p] Elephants[/p]
• [p] Hang Time[/p]
• [p] Ledge Grab[/p]
• [p] Spirals[/p]
• [p] Vanilla[/p]

[hr][/hr][h2]Join Our Discord![/h2][p]
If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.

Cheers,
EWG[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p]After a well earned Christmas break we got back to work. We hope you got to enjoy time with friends and family too.[/p][p]This update features some much needed bug fixes and improvements. The context menu has received some attention, as well as ranked play and various gameplay bugs and exploits.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Ranked Improvements[/h2][p]To make the season rollover more predictable, fair, and to make an event of it, we've automated the process. The new season starts at midnight UTC on the first of every second month.[/p][p]Also, when there are technical issues such as disconnection or desyncs, there will be no score change unless a player appears to have manipulated their connection.[/p][p]There are some bug fixes too, which we hope will improve the ranked experience.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Context Menu Modding[/h2][p]We've added some functionality to allow organisation of ammo and material conversion buttons into rows. Some mods have an ungodly number of items. This is a small effort to help tame them.[/p][p]They can have optional localised labels and icons to the left of the row.[/p][p]Just add the AmmoRows table to your weapon or ammo device configuration script, then assign each ammo an appropriate RowName value.[/p][p][/p][p][c]-- Name is used to identify the row, Label and Sprite are optional[/c][/p][p][c]AmmoRows =[/c][/p][p][c]{[/c][/p][p][c] { Name = "HarpoonRow1" },[/c][/p][p][c] { Name = "HarpoonRow2", Label = "Weapon.ammo_high_explosive", Sprite = "warmup" },[/c][/p][p][c] { Name = "HarpoonRow3", Label = "Weapon.ammo_acid", Sprite = "device-ammo"},[/c][/p][p][c]}[/c][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Rows to make large item selections more manageable.[/p][p][/p][p]For material conversion buttons, create and add to a MaterialRows table:[/p][p][/p][p][c]MaterialRows =[/c][/p][p][c]{[/c][/p][p][c] { Name = "Row1", Label = "Weapon.ammo_high_explosive", Sprite = "hud-play" },[/c][/p][p][c] { Name = "Row2", Sprite = "hud-pin" },[/c][/p][p][c] { Name = "Row3", Label = "Weapon.ammo_acid"},[/c][/p][p][c]}[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Then set the appropriate RowName value in the material.[/p][p]In addition, we've allowed mod scripts to add to and modify a new layer of the context menu. While the built-in controls are off limits for now, they can be hidden with the call HideContextMenu(HIDECONTEXT_BASE) for complete replacement.[/p][p]Cheers,[/p][p]EWG
[/p][hr][/hr][h2]Change List 1.36.0 r20849[/h2][p][/p][p]Add: FRAME_CONTEXTMENU used with SetControlFrame script function to allow custom controls to be added to context menu[/p][p]Add: HideContextMenu script function taking HIDECONTEXT_BASE or HIDECONTEXT_ALL constants
[/p][p]Balance: (Scattershot) Shotgun maximum projectile density is consistent with the base weapon
[/p][p]Improve: (Machinegun) Reduce ClearanceAngleStdDevFactor from 1 to 0.4[/p][p]Improve: Ammo can be organised into rows in the context menu using AmmoRows table and ammo table RowName[/p][p]Improve: Desyncs, timeouts, and hangs cause ranked games to be voided unless network manipulation is detected[/p][p]Improve: Fort Select no longer locks up the UI for a few seconds on large maps[/p][p]Improve: Increase memory limit of scripts to 200MB[/p][p]Improve: Material conversion buttons can be arranged into rows in the context menu using MaterialRows table and material RowName[/p][p]Improve: Ranked season ends automatically at midnight UTC of the first day of every second month[/p][p]Improve: Reduced ClearanceAngleStdDevFactor from 1 std dev to 0.8[/p][p]Improve: Reduced GravityToClearanceAngleFactor by 50%[/p][p]Improve: Show 'technical issue occurred' message when game ends in a desync, hang or timeout[/p][p]Improve: Surviving reactors are considered to be at full health for the purpose of breaking ties
[/p][p]Fix: (Beams) Smoked, reflected or teleported Plasma Lasers destroy Warheads in one hit[/p][p]Fix: (Machinegun) ClearanceAngleStdDevFactor set for campaigns, potentially affecting balance[/p][p]Fix: (Map Editor) Crash cycling to the next block when there are no blocks[/p][p]Fix: (Phantom) Moving a weapon causes it to recloak after reloading[/p][p]Fix: (Phantom) 'Recloaking weapons' is missing from description[/p][p]Fix: (Seep) 'Narrow silos' is missing from description[/p][p]Fix: (Seep) Starting neutral silos have sprite of side 1[/p][p]Fix: Apparent hang while loading during long file validation[/p][p]Fix: Commander can be self-charged by shooting the platform of a device[/p][p]Fix: Crash when repainting during long file validation[/p][p]Fix: db/rules.lua missing from checksum[/p][p]Fix: Desync at start when a client selects a fort while another client does not have the map[/p][p]Fix: Desync when building devices on neutral structure[/p][p]Fix: Desync when using keys to adjust weapon power mid fire[/p][p]Fix: Devices can be built on recently neutral structure[/p][p]Fix: Game doesn't update when user moves or resizes the window[/p][p]Fix: Missing mod script causes crash during join[/p][p]Fix: Population caps can be exceeded using barrels in team deathmatch[/p][p]Fix: Population limited device construction can be accelerated using a neutral device of the same type[/p][p]Fix: Report button is sometimes missing from the 'player disconnected' notification[/p][p]Fix: Scoring on timeout incorrect when disconnection happens during ranked loading[/p][p]Fix: ScreenMode in Options > Video is not translated[/p][p]Fix: Season is not matched during the ranked lobby alert search[/p][p]Fix: SetControlFrame doesn't validate input[/p][p]Fix: Terrain rendering[/p][p]Fix: Unable to connect to ranked lobbies using alert popup
[/p][p]Optimise: Rendering performance
[/p][h2]Change List 1.36.0 r20914[/h2][p][/p][p]Fix: Crash calculating teleport when a node is missing[/p][p]Fix: Crash when a fully built weapon is disabled, deleted, and restored[/p][p]Fix: Crash when queueing for ranked play after casual match[/p][p]Fix: File validation sometimes fails[/p][p]Fix: Ranks are missing from the lobby[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]Make Sure To Join Our Discord[/h2][p][/p][p]If you haven't already, join our Forts Official Discord server to connect with other players, share strategies, create maps/mods, and receive advance notice of upcoming events.[/p][p][/p][p]Cheers,[/p][p]EWG[/p]

[p][/p][hr][/hr][h2]This Month's Spotlight: Birdies' GUNS[/h2][h3](by SamsterBirdies) [/h3][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Birdies' GUNS is a massive weapon expansion built for players who like to push Forts a little (or a lot) past the sensible limit. Adding 50+ weapons and variants, it leans fully into experimentation.[/p][p]From upside-down guns and sky-raining mortars to beam weapons, drones, helicopters and quite frankly irresponsible amounts of explosives, the mod encourages creative builds and unpredictable battles. It also plays nicely with a wide range of popular mods (that you'll hopefully see here soon)![/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][h3]A chat with SamsterBirdies:[/h3]

[p]I like gaming (ofc), ASMR, anime and VN’s. I like creating things, and dabble in a lot of random subjects that I happen to currently be interested in. Whether it be trying to make content for a game, coding something, recording/creating sounds, digital art, music, etc.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Q: What inspired you to start working on Birdies' GUNS, in the first place?[/p]

[p]I used to sketch up my own fictional weapons instead of paying attention in class. After playing with weapon mods like “Tanya’s Mod” and “What are Tiers?” I realized that it was possible to bring them to life. When Extra Stuff++ came out, it was the final straw before I decided to try my hand at making a weapons pack. After releasing it, I got some 1v1's with The Mighty Cat (creator of Extra Stuff++) where he used his mod’s weapons, and I used my own.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p] [/p][p]Q: How long has the project been in development, and what was the biggest technical hurdle?[/p]

[p]The initial Jan 20, 2019 release was at most 4-5 days. However, it has taken years to get to its current form. The biggest technical hurdle was that I didn’t yet know how to make mods or really any basics of programming. I had to learn while developing the mod (don’t look at the code guys, it frightens me). The modding channel of the Forts Discord had been invaluable to helping me get the mod working, thanks guys.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Q: If you could go back and give yourself, or a budding modder, one piece of advice at the start of this project, what would it be?[/p]

[p]For a pack like this, the most important thing is putting extra time into designing the mechanics for each weapon. What new gameplay does it bring to the table? What makes it fun? What makes it unique? And so on. Some of my weapons were not well thought out, and this makes balancing them or making them fun difficult.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Q: Do you have a favorite weapon or feature in the mod? Why that one?[/p]

[p]That’s a tough pick. I may have to go with the drunk laser. All projectiles that pass through it start circling like swarms that were hit by an EMP. They also accelerate, and the impact beam will free them from circling for some cool trickshots. It's pure chaos.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Q: What’s something this project taught you about modding or game design?[/p]

[p]It was the start of teaching me everything about it really.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Q: The Forts Community can be pretty passionate, what kind of feedback has meant the most to you personally?[/p]

[p]I appreciate the kind feedback. It's very encouraging to continue developing mods for this game. I also appreciate when someone tells me that there is something wrong so that I can get it fixed, though sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint unless more information is given.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Q: Are there any features or experimental ideas you’ve been itching to try?[/p]

[p]I really want to make some nice looking environments, as well as a mod to add some visual flair to maps.. I'm also itching to try making a campaign. It’s a part of the Forts workshop that has been barely touched on. No promises with either of these though.[/p]

[p]
[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you so much to SamsterBirdies' for not only providing the community with a wide-range of workshop items, but also for being willing to join the showcase and collaborate with EWG in so many different ways![/p][p][/p][h3]Condensed Birdies' GUNS Resources: [/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]GitHub | Website | Freesound | Workshop | Support SamsterBirdies[/p][p][/p][p]Our modders create and maintain their projects in their spare time, purely out of love for the game. If you enjoy what they've built, consider supporting them directly through a kind comment, commending their mod on the workshop or contributing to their Patreon/Ko-Fi/Support Page above.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Join the Conversation:[/h3][p]You can find more community creations, or share your own, on the Official Forts Discord. [/p][p][/p][p](Check out the new #mod-wall-of-fame channel, under the 'Announcements' category, where we'll archive each feature and prominent Forts Modders.)[/p][p][/p][p]To be featured in the Forts Modder Showcase you need to: [/p]

• [p]Have been awarded the Modder Medal[/p]
• [p]Answer a Q&A and collaborate in good-faith [/p]
• [p]Provide gifs/clips or images that best showcase your creations[/p]

[p]To start things off, we're featuring a few selected mods that have made a big impact on the community. In the future, we'll open the floor for modders to reach out and put their creations forward![/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]
A Note from the Team:[/h3]

[p]The modding scene is one of the best parts of this community. Every map, every mechanic, every idea adds something new to Forts, and we're beyond grateful for the passion you all bring to the game. For that reason, we urge you all to help us celebrate every small victory so that we can all benefit from our shared passion for Forts for many more years to come![/p]

[p]Cheers,
EWG[/p]