Stop the "Party Split" Panic: Mastering Queue Controls

Have you ever joined a game with your best friend, only to get separated into different matches? It feels like being stuck on different islands! We can fix this.

In this tutorial, we will build a better waiting room. We will use Queue Controls to keep friends together. You will learn how to tell the game server how many players you need. This makes your island more fun for everyone.

What You'll Learn

• What a Matchmaking Queue is.
• How to set a Minimum Player Target.
• How to use Overtime to save a slow game.
• How to keep parties together in UEFN.

How It Works

Imagine you are hosting a pizza party. You want at least four people to eat. If only two people show up, you might wait longer for friends. If no one comes, you cancel the party.

Matchmaking works the same way. When players click "Play" on your island, they enter a Queue. This is like a virtual waiting line. The game server looks for other players to fill the match.

The Two Phases of Waiting

The server waits in two steps. We call these Phases.

1. Main Phase: This is the normal wait. The server tries to find the perfect number of players. It wants a full, balanced game.
2. Overtime Phase: This is the backup plan. If the Main Phase ends and the game is too empty, the server enters Overtime. It relaxes the rules. It will accept fewer players so the game can start. This stops the "Party Split" problem.

Keeping Parties Together

Players love playing with their friends. If your island has Queue Controls, the server tries to keep Parties together. A party is a group of friends linked in the lobby. Without controls, the server might split them up. With controls, it waits for the whole group.

Let's Build It

We will configure your island settings. You do not need complex code for this. You use the Island Settings panel. This is like the control panel for your whole world.

Here is how to set it up in Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN).

Step 1: Open Island Settings

1. Open your project in UEFN.
2. Click the Settings tab at the top.
3. Find Matchmaking or Mode Settings.

Step 2: Set the Main Phase

You need to tell the server how many players you want for a normal game.

• Max Players Per Session: Set this to your goal. For example, 16. This is the max number of players allowed.
• Queue Main Duration: Set how long to wait for a full game. Try 30s (30 seconds).

Step 3: Set the Overtime Phase

Now, add the safety net. This helps if not enough players join quickly.

• Queue Overtime Duration: Set how long the overtime lasts. Try 15s.
• Overtime Player Target: Set the minimum players needed to start. Try 4.

This means: "Wait 30 seconds for 16 players. If we only get 4, wait 15 more seconds. If we still have 4, start the game!"

Step 4: Enable Party Matching

Look for a setting called Allow Party Matching or similar. Make sure it is ON. This ensures your squad stays together in the queue.

Verse Code Note

You might wonder where the Verse code is. For Queue Controls, you mostly use the Editor UI. You do not write Verse to change these numbers. However, you can use Verse to react when a match starts.

Here is a simple Verse snippet that prints a message when the match begins. This helps you debug your island.

using { /Fortnite.com/Devices }
using { /Verse.org/Sim }

# This is our Island Device
# It acts as the brain of our island
actor MyIsland is Actor {
    # When the game starts, this runs once
    OnBegin<override>()<suspends>: void {
        # Print a message to the debug log
        # This helps us know the game is live
        Print("Matchmaking Complete! Game On!")
    }
}

Walkthrough

• using: This tells Verse which tools to load. We need the Fortnite devices.
• actor: This creates a new object in our scene. Think of it as a new game piece.
• OnBegin: This is an Event. It is a moment in time. It happens when the match starts.
• Print: This writes text to the screen for you, the creator. It is like a sticky note for yourself.

Try It Yourself

Now it is your turn to experiment!

Challenge: Change your Overtime Player Target to 1.

What to watch for: Play your island with one friend. See if the game starts even if only two people are in the queue. Does it feel faster?

Hint: If the game takes too long, try increasing the Queue Main Duration. Give the server more time to find players.

Recap

• Matchmaking Queues are waiting lines for players.
• Main Phase waits for a full game.
• Overtime Phase starts a game with fewer players to keep the fun going.
• Party Controls keep friends together.
• Use Island Settings to configure these rules easily.

You are now a Queue Control expert! Your players will thank you for not splitting their squad.

References

• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/matchmaking-queue-controls-in-fortnite-creative
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/34-30-fortnite-ecosystem-updates-and-release-notes
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/building-basics-in-fortnite-creative
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/using-round-settings-devices-in-fortnite-creative
• https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/fortnite/island-settings-in-unreal-editor-for-fortnite