The Driftboard, Fortnite’s iconic version of the hoverboard, officially came out on February 19, 2019, during Chapter 1, Season 7. It quickly became a fan favorite because it let players shoot, heal, and perform cool tricks while moving at high speeds. The hoverboard made a massive, nostalgic return in late 2023 during the highly popular Fortnite OG season.
Imagine dropping into a high-stakes battle royale match. The storm is closing in fast, and your team is stuck on the far side of the island. Today, we have fast sports cars, dirt bikes, and grappling hooks to escape danger. But if you played the game years ago, your options for fast travel were very limited. You had to run on foot or hope to find a shopping cart.
That all changed when a sleek, futuristic board arrived on the island. It completely changed how players moved, fought, and explored. It was fast, it was stylish, and it let you pull off crazy stunts. If you are a newer player or a returning veteran, you might ask yourself: When Did Hoverboards Come Out in Fortnite?
In this guide, we will take a fun trip down memory lane. We will look at the exact release date of this legendary vehicle. We will also explore how it worked, why it was delayed, and how it changed the game forever.
Key Takeaways
- The Release Date: The hoverboard (Driftboard) officially launched in Fortnite on February 19, 2019, with the v7.40 content update.
- A Brief Delay: Epic Games originally planned to release the board earlier in Season 7 but delayed it to make final balance changes.
- Unique Features: Unlike other early Fortnite vehicles, players could use weapons and consume healing items while riding the board.
- The Trick System: The board featured a built-in trick point system, letting players show off flips and spins for high scores.
- The OG Comeback: Hoverboards returned to the game in November 2023 during the smash-hit Fortnite OG season, sparking massive nostalgia.
- Where to Find Them: Historically, players could find them parked near expedition outposts, snowy regions, and major points of interest.
📑 Table of Contents
The History of the Driftboard in Fortnite
Before we dive into the exact release date, we should talk about what this item actually is. In Fortnite, the hoverboard is officially called the Driftboard. It is a single-player vehicle that hovers slightly above the ground, mimicking the futuristic boards we see in sci-fi movies.
The Initial Tease and Delay
Epic Games first teased the hoverboard in late 2018. Players saw it in the in-game news feed, and the community went wild. It was supposed to launch as part of the winter-themed Season 7. However, just before it was set to go live, Epic Games made a surprise announcement. They decided to delay the release.
Epic Games wanted to make sure the board was fun and worked perfectly. They used the extra time to polish the controls and fix bugs. During this time, fans eagerly waited for news. Many visited sites like Hoverboard Pro to read updates about how the game would integrate this cool new ride.
The Official Launch Date
So, when did hoverboards come out in Fortnite? The wait finally ended on February 19, 2019. The Driftboard made its grand debut during Chapter 1, Season 7, as part of the v7.40 content update.
The timing was perfect. The southwestern part of the map was covered in snow and ice. This icy terrain was the perfect playground for a snowboard-like vehicle. Players instantly fell in love with the board’s speed and loose physics. It felt less like a clunky vehicle and more like a natural extension of the player’s movement, much like a real-world hoverboard on land.
What Made the Fortnite Hoverboard So Special?
Fortnite had other vehicles before the Driftboard. We had the Shopping Cart, the All Terrain Kart (ATK), and the Quadcrasher. But the hoverboard was different. It offered features that no other vehicle could match at the time.
When Did Hoverboards Come Out in Fortnite? — key points at a glance
Combat and Healing on the Fly
With older vehicles, you could not do much while driving. If you were steering an ATK, you could not shoot back at enemies. The Driftboard changed the rules. While riding the board, you kept full use of your weapons and items.
You could aim down sights, shoot assault rifles, and throw boogie bombs. Even better, you could drink shield potions and apply bandages while sliding across the map. This made the board an amazing tool for aggressive players who loved to push into fights.
The Cool Trick Points System
Epic Games did not just make the board a tool for travel. They made it a mini-game. When you went off a ramp or flew off a mountain, you could perform tricks. By holding down specific keys or buttons, your character would do flips, spins, and grabs.
The game showed a trick score on your screen. If you landed the trick cleanly, you got a boost of pride. If you crashed, your score was wiped out. It added a fun, lighthearted element to the game that kept players coming back for more.
The Return of the Hoverboard in Fortnite OG
As the seasons went on, Epic Games rotated vehicles in and out of the game. The Driftboard was eventually placed into the “vault.” For a long time, players could only ride it in Creative mode. That is, until late 2023.
Nostalgia Hits Hard in late 2023
In November 2023, Epic Games launched Fortnite OG. This was a special, month-long season that brought back the original Chapter 1 map and loot pool. Millions of old players returned to the game. Along with classic weapons, Epic Games brought back the beloved Driftboard.
To learn more about the board’s stats and history across different seasons, check out the Fortnite Wiki Hoverboard page. It has a breakdown of how the board evolved over the years.
Where to Find Hoverboards on the OG Map
During Fortnite OG, finding a board was a top priority. They were scattered all over the map, but some spots had more than others. Players often looked near the snowy areas in the southwest, around Frosty Flights and Happy Hamlet.
They also spawned near old expedition outposts and major points of interest. If you want to see the exact spawn points from that season, you can view the IGN Fortnite OG Hoverboard Locations guide. Having a board in Fortnite OG was a major advantage for escaping the fast-moving storm.
How the Driftboard Changed Fortnite’s Gameplay Loop
Before the hoverboard, matches felt much slower. If you landed at the edge of the map, you spent most of your time running away from the storm. The Driftboard changed everything.
Fast Rotations and Map Freedom
With a hoverboard, you could land anywhere you wanted. It did not matter if you landed at the edge of the island. You could simply grab a board and cross the entire map in a couple of minutes. This allowed players to explore lesser-known areas and gather loot without fear of dying to the storm. To understand more about this shift, you can read about how the vehicle changed the game on Gyroorboard’s blog on Fortnite hoverboards.
A Boost for Creative Mode
The driftboard also became a superstar in Creative mode. Map creators used the board to build custom racing tracks, obstacle courses, and trick parks. It proved that Fortnite was more than just a shooting game. It was a physics sandbox where players could have pure, silly fun.
Tips and Tricks for Mastering the Hoverboard
If the hoverboard ever returns to the main battle royale pool, you will want to know how to use it like a pro. Here are some quick, practical tips to keep in mind:
- Use the Boost Wisely: The board has a boost feature. Do not just hold it down constantly. Use the boost right as you go up a ramp to get massive airtime.
- Slide to Heal: If you are low on health, jump on a board and head toward safety. Start sliding down a hill and use your shield pot. You will keep moving fast while healing up.
- Build a Safe Launchpad: You can build ramps with wood, stone, or metal, and then ride your board up them. This lets you launch yourself over enemy walls and surprise them from above.
- Stay Low in Fights: While you can shoot from the board, you are also very exposed. If enemies start targeting you, hop off the board immediately and build defensive walls.
Conclusion
The hoverboard is one of the most beloved items in Fortnite history. Released on February 19, 2019, it brought a perfect mix of speed, style, and fun to the game. It proved that travel does not have to be boring. Whether you were hitting a triple backflip off a mountain or sliding past an enemy squad with a shotgun, the Driftboard made every match feel like an action movie.
Even though Fortnite now has cars, planes, and trains, the simple joy of the hoverboard remains unmatched. We can only hope that Epic Games continues to bring this classic vehicle back for future seasons!
Frequently Asked Questions
When did hoverboards come out in Fortnite?
The hoverboard, officially called the Driftboard, came out in Fortnite on February 19, 2019. It was released during Chapter 1, Season 7 as part of the v7.40 content update.
Can you shoot while riding a hoverboard in Fortnite?
Yes, you can fully use weapons and items while riding the hoverboard. This made it highly popular for aggressive players who wanted to push enemies while staying on the move.
Why was the hoverboard delayed in Fortnite?
Epic Games delayed the hoverboard to make final quality-of-life improvements. They wanted to polish the vehicle’s controls and physics to ensure a fun experience for everyone.
Did hoverboards return in Fortnite OG?
Yes, hoverboards made a triumphant return during the Fortnite OG season in November 2023. Players were able to find them all over the classic Chapter 1 map.
How do you do tricks on the Fortnite hoverboard?
To do tricks, you need to launch yourself into the air from a hill or ramp. While in the air, hold down the trick button and move your joystick or direction keys to flip and spin.
What is the official name of the hoverboard in Fortnite?
The official in-game name of the hoverboard is the Driftboard. It is designed to look like a futuristic, glowing snowboard that hovers just above the ground.
