Fortnite Creative is converting many devices in the Fortnite Creative toolset to improve user experience across devices. These improvements include things like a better way for selecting colors or numeric values, more options for better device control and customization, and, for some devices, new functionality!
Currently, a public beta version of the upgraded devices is available for you to try. You can opt into using the beta toolset with both existing islands and new experiences. To learn how to implement the changes, refer to the Upgrade Devices section at the bottom of the document.
The Firefly Spawner device places collectible fireflies that can be used to cause fire destruction. Fireflies spawned from this device will circle around the spawn area until collected.
You can control both the total number of fireflies produced and the duration between spawns. Once collected, these fireflies will be placed in jars that can be equipped in stacks of six in your Equipment Bar.
Thrown firefly jars will cause any surrounding terrain and structures to take fire damage if Enable Fire, Environment Damage, and Structure Damage are enabled in My Island Settings.
Players directly hit with a firefly jar will take 40 points of damage. Stepping into fire from this device will take 15 points of health per second. Both the affected player and their health bar will be in flames.
Finding and Placing the Device
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From Create mode, press the Tab key to open the CREATIVE inventory screen.
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Click the DEVICES tab. You can scroll to select the device, use the Search box to look up the device by name, or the Categories in the panel on the left.
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Click PLACE NOW to place immediately, or put the device in the QUICK BAR to place later.
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Press Esc to return to your island in Create mode. Use your phone to position the device, then click to place it. Press Esc to detach the device from your phone.
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Point at the device with your phone. If the Customize popup doesn’t open immediately, move closer until it does, then press E to open the Customize panel.
If you're using multiple copies of a device on an island, it can be helpful to rename them. You can choose names that relate to each device's purpose, so it's easier to remember what each one does.
Device Options
This device has some basic functionality, like choosing which team can activate the device and how long it takes to collect fireflies. You can also set collected fireflies to transmit a signal to a selected channel.
Default values are bold. Values that trigger contextual filtering are italic.
Basic Options
Option | Value | Description |
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Total Spawn Limit | Infinite, 1, Pick a number | Sets the maximum number of fireflies this device can produce during its lifetime. |
Time to Collect | Instant, .5 Seconds, Pick a time | Determines the interaction time required to collect the fireflies. |
All Options (Additional)
Option | Value | Description |
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Enabled At Game Start | Yes, No | Determines the game phases during which the device will be enabled. |
Spawn Timer | None, 3 Seconds, Pick a time | Sets the minimum time between spawning fireflies. |
Activating Team | Any, Pick a team | Determines which team can activate the device. |
Allowed Class | No Class, Any, Pick a class | Determines which class can activate the device. |
Channels
The channel system has been deprecated and will be removed in the near future. The system replacing it is Direct Event Binding, which is already available for you to use.
Right now, you have to manually convert your islands to the direct event binding system, but in the near future all islands that are still using the channels system will automatically be converted, which may break your islands.
For more information refer to the Direct Event Binding System section below.
When one device needs to "talk" to another device, it does so by transmitting a signal on a specific channel. The receiving device needs to be set up to receive the signal on the same channel.
A channel is identified by a number, and channel numbers are customized for a device under the option that uses the channel. Most devices will also pass the identity of the player who triggered the device with the signal.
This device has receivers that perform a variety of functions when receiving a signal over a channel. Also, this device can transmit signals when certain conditions are met.
Receivers
Receivers listen for a channel and perform an action when they hear any device (including themselves) send a signal on that channel.
Option | Value | Description |
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Enable When Receiving From | No Channel, Pick a channel number | Enables the Firefly Spawner when receiving from this channel. |
Disable When Receiving From | No Channel, Pick a channel Number | Disables the Firefly Spawner when receiving from this channel. |
Reset Spawn Count When Receiving From | No Channel, Pick a channel number | Resets the Firefly Spawner’s respawn count when receiving front his channel. |
Respawn When Receiving From | No Channel, Pick a channel number | Respawns fireflies when receiving from this channel. |
Transmitters
Transmitters send a signal on the selected channel when triggered.
Option | Value | Description |
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On Fireflies Collected Transmit On | No Channel, Pick a channel number | When the spawned fireflies are collected, transmit on this channel. |
Upgrade Devices
The upgrade device conversion includes a number of improvements:
- Updated UX across all devices.
- Improved UI for selecting colors and entering numeric values by adding the Color Picker flyout and direct-entry numeric input to devices with those kinds of options.
- Some updated devices will have additional options, or have previous options split into multiple new options to give you more detailed control over the device's behavior.
- Completely new functionality has been added to some devices.
- All devices that were previously equipped as Traps (for example, the Sequencer) will instead have a prop version that you can manipulate with the Phone tool.
Currently, the device conversion is an option, but will be the default for devices in the near future. Once you opt to convert an island you cannot revert the conversion.
Before opting in to the updated devices, you should first create a backup of your island. Using the backup island, thoroughly test the converted devices to make sure they work the way you want. Once you’re satisfied,, you can safely convert the original island.
To convert your island, follow these steps:
- Select an existing island or a new island.
- Select a device from the list and place on the island. (This step only applies to a new island.)
- Select My Island > Tools > Upgrade Devices > Convert and Reload.
- Confirm your selection by clicking Confirm. Your island automatically reloads with the Upgrade Devices. You’ll be sent back to the hub, and can enter the golden rift to go back to your island.
Below are the following changes made to the device options:
New Option | New Value | Description | Replaced Option |
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Respawn On Timer | On, Off | Sets the maximum number of fireflies this device can produce during its lifetime. If set to Off, the following options are hidden: Respawn Timer. | Updated values |
Collecting Team | Any, Pick a team | Determines which team can activate the device. | A new option that replaces the Activating Team option. |
Invert Team Selection | Off, On | If set, invert the teams that the firefly spawner will activate for. | This is a new option that enhances the Collecting Team option. |
Collecting Class | Any, Pick a class | Determines which class can activate the device. | A new option that replaces the Allowed Class option. |
Invert Class Selection | Off, On | If set, invert the class that the firefly spawner will activate for. | This is a new option that enhances the Collecting Class option. |
Direct Event Binding System
Direct event binding allows devices to communicate directly, making your workflow more intuitive, and giving you more freedom to focus on your design ideas. Switching to this system is the next step in creating more complex and diverse game mechanics.
The direct event binding system eliminates limitations inherent in the channel communication system because the devices communicate directly instead of on channels. You no longer have to worry about reaching the maximum channel limit or preplanning your channel allocation when designing an island.
When you copy-paste devices, you no longer need to edit them to change the channel assignments — the events and functions set in the original carry over to the copies.
To convert your island, follow these steps:
- Select an existing island or a new island.
- Select a device from the list and place on the island. (This step only applies to a new island.)
- Select My Island > Tools > Event System > Convert.
- Confirm your selection by clicking Confirm. The Direct Event Binding System is automatically added to your devices.
Below are the following direct event binding options for this device.
Functions
Direct event binding uses functions as receivers. A function listens for one device's event to tell another device to perform a function.
Option | Value | Description |
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Enable When Receiving From | Add | Enables the device. |
Disable When Receiving From | Add | Disables the device. |
Respawn When Receiving From | Add | Respawns the fireflies. |
Reset Spawn Count When Receiving From | Add | Resets the Firefly Spawner's respawn count. |
Events
Direct event binding uses events as transmitters. An event tells another device to perform a function.
Option | Value | Description |
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On Fireflies Collected Send Event To | Add | Spawned fireflies are collected. |