Fortnite: An Unacceptable Competitive Scene

The current state of Fortnite as an esport is unacceptable. Plenty of questions are left unaddressed going into the Fall Skirmish finals. There is a first come, first serve entry for the finals, but confirmation to go seems to be random. A new patch releases two days before the finals, which will most likely shift the meta, drastically putting pros in an awkward position.

Every Skirmish thus far has been displayed more and more as a show and less as an esport. Fortnite is truly a fantastic game that promotes creativity, but the way it’s handling its competitive scene is worrisome.

You’re first! Doesn’t Mean You’re Going, Though.

In order to compete, you need to complete a survey and wait for a confirmation email. Players have filled out the survey to go to Finals as soon as it was available to make the registration window. Unfortunately, some players didn’t get accepted, but those who missed the window still got in. How can Epic Games claim that this process is a first come, first serve when the confirmation to go is random? Some players have reported having access to leaked registration surveys on the Skirmish Discord a day early unannounced, giving many an advantage for completing the survey.

Dear Epic.

Lets Change the Meta!

No more fall damage because you can redeploy gliders, Zombies (aka Husks from Save the World mode) spawn from on the island and destroy your structures, weapon and storm changes. These are just some of the changes in the latest patch which can be found here. Everything about this patch is meta changing.

The whole debacle about redeploying gliders has the pros divided while TSM_Myth thinks that this is a step in the right direction, while LG_ SypherPK is apprehensive about it. Husks appearing on the island is problematic also. The new hazard of the island can destroy your structures and chase you if you run away. Players have been losing 1 vs. 1 in their matches because of this new hazard. The Port-a-Fortress and Guided Missiles have returned in game as well. Instant building items changes the flow of a build fight drastically, and pros have yet to practice against it.

An Esport or a Show?

With the introduction of clubs, there is seemingly no real need for organizations to have a competitive Fortnite team. In the early stages of Fortnite: Battle Royale, it showed promise that having a competitive team would be beneficial. Now, pros being forced to play with players who aren’t in the same organization as them. The challenges are all fun and entertaining – such as a club anthem and low budget cosplay to name a few – but it’s not esports.

Epic Games has done a lot for Fortnite. Compared to how the state it was in season 3, few can deny that the game has come a long way. Epic clearly wants to see Fortnite grow and improve. Adding fan suggestions shows that Epic is listening to the community to some degree – it goes without saying that Epic cares about the game’s player base. Epic seems to favor the casual players and leaving competitive players in the dust. Unclear entry requirements that seem randomized, meta-changing patches at unreasonable times and being more of a show than an esport. The overall state of Fortnite esports is unacceptable.

Featured image courtesy of @Cosinejoe.

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