How to Make Your Island Look Like a Real Game

Do you want your Fortnite island to look like a professional game? You can change the picture players see when they wait for the game to start. This picture is called the Lobby Background. It is the first thing players see. It sets the mood for your whole island.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to pick a great picture. We will also learn the rules for making it look good. You will make your island feel special before the action even starts.

What You'll Learn

• What a Lobby Background is and why it matters.
• The perfect size and shape for your picture.
• How to take a good photo of your island.
• How to upload your custom background.

How It Works

Think of the Lobby Background like the cover of a book. The cover tells you what the story is about. It makes you want to open it. Your island is the story. The lobby background is the cover.

If your cover is blurry or cut off, people might not read the book. If your lobby background is clear and cool, players will be excited to play.

The Golden Rules of Lobby Pictures

There are three big rules to follow. These rules help your picture look sharp on all screens.

1. Size Matters: Your picture must be wide. It needs to be 2048 pixels wide and 1024 pixels tall. This is like a wide movie screen.
2. File Size: The file cannot be too big. It must be under 10 MB. Think of it like a small backpack. If it is too heavy, it won't fit.
3. Format: Use PNG or JPG files. These are common picture formats. They work well for games.

Taking the Perfect Photo

You need a photo of your island. But not just any photo. It must look good from the center.

Imagine you are taking a selfie. You want your face in the middle. You do not want your chin cut off. Your island photo is the same.

• Center the Action: Put your main building or spawn point in the middle.
• Leave Room for Text: The game shows buttons on the screen. Do not put important details behind where the buttons go.
• Use Good Lighting: Make sure your island is bright. Dark photos are hard to see.

Let's Build It

We are not writing code for this part. We are using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). We are going to create a custom lobby background.

Follow these steps carefully.

Step 1: Find Your Spot

Go to your island in UEFN. Find a spot that looks cool. It should show off your best work. Maybe it is your castle. Maybe it is a race track.

Step 2: Set Your Camera

Stand back so you can see a wide view. You want to see the horizon. You do not want to look straight up at the sky. Look straight ahead.

Step 3: Take the Screenshot

Use a screen capture tool. Take a screenshot of your view.

• Make sure the resolution is high.
• Check that the image is not blurry.
• Save it as a PNG or JPG.

Step 4: Check the Size

Open the picture on your computer. Check the size.

• Is it 2048 x 1024?
• If it is too small, you might need to crop it.
• If it is too big, you might need to shrink it.
• Keep the file under 10 MB.

Step 5: Upload It

Go to the Island Settings in UEFN. Look for the Lobby Background option. Upload your picture. Save your island.

Now, when you test your island, you will see your custom picture. It will look like a real game.

Try It Yourself

Can you make a lobby background that shows your favorite part of the island?

Hint: Try moving your camera back further. You might need to see more of the sky or the ground. Make sure the main building is in the center.

Recap

• The Lobby Background is the cover of your game.
• Use a picture that is 2048 x 1024 pixels.
• Keep the file under 10 MB.
• Center your best view for the best effect.

References

• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/uefn/verse-starter-template-7-final-result-in-unreal-editor-for-fortnite
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/fortnite/verse-starter-05-controlling-the-npc-with-ui-in-unreal-editor-for-fortnite
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite-creative/lobby-background-image-guidelines-in-fortnite-creative
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/verse-fields-examples-in-fortnite
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/creating-custom-lobby-backgrounds-in-fortnite-creative