Gaming Today: Fortnite’s Quints, Avowed’s PS5 Date, and a Switch Stability Check
SEO title (<= 70 chars): Fortnite Quints, Avowed PS5 Date, and Today’s Quick Guide
Meta description (<= 160 chars): Today’s highlights: Fortnite’s South Park event adds 5-player squads, Avowed gets a PS5 date, and we share a Quints-ready team guide.
Quick Summary
- Fortnite: The South Park crossover is live (started January 9, 2026) and introduces Quints, a limited-time five-player squad mode slated to run until February 5, 2026. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/latest-fortnite-trailer-reveals-south-park-crossover-event-with-time-limited-playlist-featuring-cartman-and-co?utm_source=openai))
- Avowed: Reports indicate Avowed launches on PS5 on February 17, 2026 alongside a free anniversary update featuring new playable races, New Game+, and a photo mode. ([gamesradar.com](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/a-year-later-obsidians-fantasy-rpg-avowed-is-coming-to-ps5-and-its-finally-going-to-let-you-play-as-a-non-human-character/?utm_source=openai))
- Nintendo Switch: Nintendo’s official support page lists the latest Switch system version as 21.1.0 (released December 9, 2025) with stability fixes. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/my/support/switch/system_update/index.html?utm_source=openai))
- PlayStation Plus (service update reminder): Sony previously announced PS Plus will focus on PS5 titles and PS4 games will be offered only “occasionally” starting January 2026. ([blog.playstation.com](https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/playstation-plus-monthly-games-for-february-payday-3-high-on-life-pac-man-world-re-pac/comment-page-2/?utm_source=openai))
Today’s Gaming News Highlights
Fortnite: South Park crossover adds “Quints” (5-player squads)
Epic’s latest Fortnite crossover with South Park is live as of January 9, 2026, bringing themed cosmetics and a limited-time mode called Quints—a five-player squad format in Battle Royale and Zero Build. The mode is currently scheduled to end on February 5, 2026, and Epic has hinted it could potentially return (or evolve) if it proves popular. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/latest-fortnite-trailer-reveals-south-park-crossover-event-with-time-limited-playlist-featuring-cartman-and-co?utm_source=openai))
Avowed: PS5 release date and a feature-heavy anniversary update
Multiple reports say Avowed is coming to PS5 on February 17, 2026. Coverage also points to a free anniversary update rolling out broadly, highlighted by New Game+, a photo mode, and new playable races (reported as including Aumaua/“Aumauan,” Orlan, and Dwarf). Platform availability and feature specifics can vary by announcement, so double-check the final patch notes when they publish. ([gamesradar.com](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/a-year-later-obsidians-fantasy-rpg-avowed-is-coming-to-ps5-and-its-finally-going-to-let-you-play-as-a-non-human-character/?utm_source=openai))
Nintendo Switch: verify you’re on the latest system version
If your Switch has been acting odd (downloads stalling, odd Home menu behavior, or connection hiccups), it’s worth confirming your system software. Nintendo’s official Switch support page currently lists the latest system version as 21.1.0 (released December 9, 2025) with general stability improvements. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/my/support/switch/system_update/index.html?utm_source=openai))
PlayStation Plus: the PS4 monthly focus change is now in effect (January 2026)
As a service-level reminder (not a new announcement today): Sony stated that as PS Plus shifts toward PS5, PS4 games will no longer be a key benefit and will only be offered “occasionally” starting January 2026. Previously redeemed PS4 monthly games remain accessible as long as you stay subscribed. ([blog.playstation.com](https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/playstation-plus-monthly-games-for-february-payday-3-high-on-life-pac-man-world-re-pac/comment-page-2/?utm_source=openai))
Guide Corner (How-to / Walkthrough / Rules / Strategy)
How to win more fights in Fortnite “Quints” (5-player squads)
Quints changes the math: you’ve got more bodies, more angles, and more chances for a team to get split. The best teams treat it less like “bigger trios” and more like a small raid group with defined jobs.
1) Use a 2–2–1 structure (simple and reliable)
- Front 2 (Entry): First to take space, initiate fights, and call targets.
- Middle 2 (Support): Hold crossfires, watch flanks, and stabilize after knockdowns.
- Back 1 (Anchor/IGL): Stays last, tracks the wider map situation, and makes reset calls (when to disengage, rotate, or revive).
This prevents the common Quints failure: all five players chasing the same knock while the team gets pinched from the side.
2) Build/Zero Build: play for “two angles, one finish”
- Two angles: Always have at least two firing lanes on the same enemy position (e.g., one pair left, one pair right).
- One finish: As soon as you get a knock, designate one player to secure pressure/confirm while the other four re-aim outward for third parties.
3) Rotation rule: the anchor calls, everyone repeats
- In Quints, late rotates are punished harder because more teams can “hold” positions with extra players.
- Pick one voice for “go/no-go.” Everyone else repeats the call (“Rotating now,” “Holding,” “Resetting”) so the team stays synchronized.
4) Clean revive protocol (don’t revive in a pile)
- Reviver: one person commits to the revive.
- Cover: two people hard-cover likely push angles.
- Scout: one person checks flank/third-party routes.
- IGL/Anchor: one person watches macro timing (storm, next rotate) and decides if the revive is bait.
Common Mistakes
- Five-player tunnel vision: Everyone stacks one doorway/one ramp, then gets wiped by a pinch.
- No role clarity: If nobody is “anchor,” your team loses track of zone timing and gets forced into bad fights.
- Over-chasing finishes: Quints is full of third parties; chasing one elimination can cost the whole match.
- Revive dogpiles: Multiple players trying to revive the same teammate is a fast way to lose control of angles.
Advanced Tips
- Run a “silent 10 seconds” drill: During final circles, restrict comms to (1) target callouts, (2) rotate calls, (3) revive calls. Everything else stops.
- Stagger your peeks: Don’t have all five players re-peek simultaneously. Rotate who pressures so you avoid burst counter-damage.
- Fight selection: In Quints, committing is expensive. If you can’t take height/cover control within one clean push, disengage before a third party arrives.
How to research better (Checklist)
- Start at official sources: patch notes, developer blogs, official social accounts.
- Confirm dates and end dates: especially for limited-time modes and events.
- Verify platform differences: PS5 vs Xbox vs PC vs Switch (or separate update rollouts).
- Cross-check with at least one trusted outlet: if the official post is unclear or missing details.
- Save receipts: bookmark the announcement and the patch notes for later verification.
FAQ (5–8 Qs)
1) When did Fortnite’s South Park event start?
Coverage reports it launched on January 9, 2026. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/latest-fortnite-trailer-reveals-south-park-crossover-event-with-time-limited-playlist-featuring-cartman-and-co?utm_source=openai))
2) When does Quints end?
Quints is currently scheduled to end on February 5, 2026. ([techradar.com](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/latest-fortnite-trailer-reveals-south-park-crossover-event-with-time-limited-playlist-featuring-cartman-and-co?utm_source=openai))
3) Is Quints permanent?
It’s presented as a limited-time mode, but Epic has suggested it could become permanent if it performs well. ([gamesradar.com](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/fortnite/fortnite-is-introducing-5-player-teams-for-its-south-park-collab-but-lead-suggests-it-could-become-permanent-make-it-successful-then-well-talk/?utm_source=openai))
4) When is Avowed coming to PS5?
Reports indicate a February 17, 2026 release date for PS5. ([gamesradar.com](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/a-year-later-obsidians-fantasy-rpg-avowed-is-coming-to-ps5-and-its-finally-going-to-let-you-play-as-a-non-human-character/?utm_source=openai))
5) What’s included in Avowed’s big update?
Coverage points to New Game+, a photo mode, and additional playable races arriving with a major update tied to the PS5 launch/anniversary window. ([gamesradar.com](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/a-year-later-obsidians-fantasy-rpg-avowed-is-coming-to-ps5-and-its-finally-going-to-let-you-play-as-a-non-human-character/?utm_source=openai))
6) What’s the latest Nintendo Switch system version right now?
Nintendo’s support page lists 21.1.0, released December 9, 2025. ([nintendo.com](https://www.nintendo.com/my/support/switch/system_update/index.html?utm_source=openai))
7) Are PS4 monthly PS Plus games gone as of January 2026?
Sony stated PS4 games will be offered only “occasionally,” with PS5 titles becoming the focus starting January 2026. ([blog.playstation.com](https://blog.playstation.com/2025/01/29/playstation-plus-monthly-games-for-february-payday-3-high-on-life-pac-man-world-re-pac/comment-page-2/?utm_source=openai))