When Doja Cat (legal name Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini) stepped into Fortnite as the event’s self‑titled “Big Bad,” gamers knew Fortnitemares 2025 would be a show‑stopper. The Halloween‑themed celebration kicked off at 00:00 UTC on October 9, 2025, and will run through 23:59 UTC on November 1, 2025, covering every platform that hosts the game.

Epic Games Epic Games rolled out the update 4.87 for version 37.50 just after the usual maintenance window, instantly lighting up the brand‑new Nitemare Island map. That map, named Nitemare Island, now boasts five horror‑themed POIs and a retro‑styled Mystery Machine parked at grid coordinate F7.

What’s New This Year?

Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a re‑skin of past Halloween events. The 2025 edition introduces exactly nine collaborations, ranging from classic horror film franchises to a surprise partnership with Doja Cat herself. The Scooby Gang—Fred Jones, Velma Dinkley, Daphne Blake, and Norville “Shaggy” Rogers—returns as quest‑giving NPCs, each offering a 2,500 XP reward for locating them on Nitemare Island.

According to a report from GameSpot, completing all four Scooby quests nets players the 10,000 XP milestone needed to begin the 15‑level progression that ultimately unlocks the coveted “Pig The Butcher” skin. The skin, described as a creepy butcher‑coat with a pig‑headed mask, is free forever once the challenges are cleared—no V‑Bucks required.

How to Earn the Pig The Butcher Skin

Turns out the path to the skin is a bit of a marathon, not a sprint. Each level after the first demands an extra 1,000 XP, starting at 13,000 XP for level 1. In practice, you’ll need to grind roughly 210,000 XP total to hit level 15. The good news? Quest rotations drop every 48 hours, meaning fresh objectives appear on October 11, 2025, October 13, 2025, and so on until the event ends.

Here’s a quick checklist:

1. Locate and interact with Fred, Velma, Daphne, and Shaggy at their fixed points on Nitemare Island.
2. Earn 2,500 XP per NPC for a combined 10,000 XP boost.
3. Complete the daily “Spooky Challenge” (varies each rotation) to rack up extra XP.
4. Repeat until you’ve accumulated 210,000 XP and the Pig The Butcher skin appears in your locker.

“It feels like a classic Fortnite quest chain but with a Halloween twist that keeps you coming back,” said pro player Mira "MiraQL" Kim in an interview with Esports Insider on October 12.

Doja Cat’s Role as the “Big Bad”

Doja Cat isn’t just a cameo; she’s woven into the story. In‑game, her character prowls the fog‑filled streets of Nitemare Island, dropping cryptic hints for players who dare to hunt her down. The collaboration marks her first official crossover with Fortnite, and the hype was palpable on social media. "I’m thrilled to bring a little chaos to Fortnite’s Halloween," Doja Cat tweeted on October 9, adding a teaser of her in‑game avatar holding a glowing pumpkin.

Epic’s founder and CEO Tim S. Sweeney explained the partnership during a press briefing: “Doja’s energy fits perfectly with Fortnitemares. Her fans love the spooky vibe, and Fortnite players love her music. It’s a win‑win that pushes the event’s narrative beyond just cosmetics.”

Twitch Drops and Community Buzz

But wait—there’s more than just questing. GameSpot confirmed that two exclusive items will drop for viewers who watch Fortnite streams labeled with “Drops” on Twitch.tv between October 9 and November 1. Those items, a limited‑edition “Pumpkin Launcher” and a “Ghostly Emote,” appear directly in the viewer’s inventory once the drop triggers.

The drops are provided by Twitch, which has partnered with Epic to synchronize the drop windows with the quest rotations. Streamer Lachlan Power mentioned, “If you’re already hanging out for the gameplay, you might walk away with cool gear for free—no extra steps needed.”

Community chatter on Reddit’s r/FortNiteBR shows a 37 % spike in mention volume for “Fortnitemares” during the first week, echoing Epic’s internal metrics that Halloween events boost player engagement by 35‑40 % compared to regular seasons.

Event Impact and What to Expect Next

Overall, the rollout has been smooth. The update 4.87 arrived on schedule at roughly 02:00 UTC on October 9, and no major bugs have been reported yet. Analysts at Esports Insider predict that the combination of free‑to‑earn cosmetics, high‑profile collaborations, and Twitch drops will keep daily active users hovering near the all‑time high set during the 2022 “Stranger Things” crossover.

Looking ahead, Epic has hinted at three additional collaboration skins dropping on October 18, though they haven’t revealed the partners. Rumors point to a “classic slasher” film and a “retro arcade horror” title—nothing confirmed yet.

In short, if you’ve been idle since the last season, now’s the perfect time to dive back in, chase the Scooby clues, and snag that Pig The Butcher skin before the pumpkins disappear.