25 Not So Great Things About Fortnite

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25 Not So Great Things About Fortnite

It seems like Epic Games' Fortnite is everywhere these days, but there are still some things about it that are just not ok... If you’re at all in tune with the world of video games, you’ve probably heard of Fortnite, Epic Games’ dynamic, engaging contender into the burgeoning Battle Royale game genre. And, if you haven’t heard of it, I’m willing to bet you’ve heard of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, the game of which Fortnite is, to put it nicely, extremely derivative. That hasn't hampered the game’s success though, and despite legions of defensive fanatics and thinly veiled legal threats from other developers, the game has flourished. With success, however, comes even more controversy and critique, and though Fortnite may have many upsides, it has been plagued with odd and varied issues which drive us absolutely nuts. There seems to be a theme amongst these new Battle Royal games: they almost always launch in early access with tons of bugs and performance issues. Sure, when you’re buying an early access title, you should definitely expect that kind of thing, and Epic Game’s smash hit hasn’t experienced the strife of similar games like the Crytek’s Hunt: Showdown or the aforementioned PUBG. Yet, while no game is perfect, there are things that we just can’t ignore about Fortnite. You may enjoy it, and, if you do, more power to you. Games exist to entertain, not to generate hatred and debate. That said, with the game launching sometime in 2018, we’d like to express some of our criticisms in the hopes that these grievances won’t make it to the full release. We might love the game, but here are 25 things in Fortnite that drive us up the wall. THEGAMER VIDEO OF THE DAY

Player Unknown

via: wccftech.com First and foremost, the game is really, really similar to the popular Battle Royale titan PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. While there are a few vital gameplay differences between these two titles, the games are so similar and released in early access so close to each other that they are, for better or worse, inseparable in the minds of gamers. Threats of legal action have been tossed around for a while now concerning which developer’s property may have been stepped on. But, in the eyes of many, that seems like Coke trying to sue Pepsi on the grounds that its product is too similar. Plus, neither of these games can claim to be the inventors of the genre, as games like The Culling, Day Z, and even certain aspects of Minecraft could be thought of as early progenitors of the genre. That said, it’s annoying that Epic Games will never quite shake the stigma.

Scammer Or Scapegoat

via: youtube.com In an effort to reduce cheating in their online space, Epic Games has taken to sueing players identified as having violated the game’s End User License Agreement, or, in the case, modding the game. While it is nice to know that the devs are interested in preserving the integrity of their title, many in the community believe that they overstepped when they who has been accused of modifying the game. What’s more, Epic Games claims that his actions constitute copyright infringement, which seems like a tenuous claim at best. What happened to just banning unwanted players? I understand that Epic Games wants to make an example of the people they take to court, but this seems very much over-the-top, and it has honestly damaged my interest in their product.

Community Concern

I think the community should be more concerned about PUBG. via: youtube.com I’ve mentioned that ambiguous legal threats have been thrown around in the Battle Royale space, but things got kind of weird when Bluehole, the guys behind PUBG, issued a vague and semi-ridiculous “” in September of 2017. This was regarding the obvious similarities between their game and Fortnite. While the statement never really issued any profound allegations or declared any definite legal action, the whole thing left players feeling a bit aggravated. Bluehole doesn’t really seem to have a leg to stand on legally, and, by issuing this vague threat, they’ve made themselves out to be the aggressors in this struggle for genre supremacy. All in all, this endless talk of litigation has reduced the reputation of both titles, and we hope to hear of a finite resolution soon.

Fortnite Mobile Perhaps Fort-Not…

via: dollardestruction.com Playing FPS games on a phone has always been something of a contentious proposition. Some games, like the oft-lauded Dead Trigger or Modern Combat games, have seen success on the platform, but their awkward and clunky control schemes are miles apart from the precision offered by a keyboard and mouse setup. Taking aim in Fortnite Mobile is borderline impossible, and gamers have been quick to ridicule those desperately attempting to get their Battle Royale fix on the go. Wrapping my hands around my phone’s screen as I try in vain to assail my virtual opponents is nothing short of uncomfortable. The whole affair seems like a very far cry from the console and PC versions of the game. I’m aware that they make controllers that are compatible with some phones, but I’d sooner give up on the game than resort to buying a controller for my mobile device.

Keep Your Battle Away From My Battery

My phone's battery life is already pretty dismal. via: phonedog.com The whole idea of shoving an epic Battle Royale game onto a mobile phone is just kind of ridiculous. This may be more of a personal preference, but I truly don’t see the point in grappling with all the shortcomings of a mobile phone-oriented Fortnite experience—I’m just not that invested. Players who are devastatingly hooked on the title may derive some pleasure from the port, but I don’t understand it. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds also recently released on iOS and Android devices, but I can’t imagine that the rush to fit such a massive game in player’s pockets is anything more than a cash grab, an exploitation of the genre’s recent surge in popularity. You’re free to do what you want with your time and battery life, but count me out.

The Fortnite Roulette

via: feed4gamers.com Again, this one is largely based on experience, but many players have complained about the weapon balancing in Fortnite. Sure, no game is perfect when it comes to balancing, and issues of this sort date back to the inception of online play. Yet, for such a massive title, Epic Games could be making more of an attempt to reduce frustration. The obvious retort here would be something like “well, just get good, scrub.” I’ll admit to not having the greatest internet connection, but, for me, the game seems to be a very hit and miss affair, pun intended. I’ve often found myself bested by weapons that had no purpose bettering my load-out, and I’ve lost confrontations in which I really thought I had the upper hand. It’s a common complaint from the game’s hardcore fans, but the combat feels like a total gamble, much more often than it should.

Toontown

Where are we dropping? via: pintrest.com Does anyone remember Disney’s Toontown? It’s a cartoon, Magic Kingdom-esque MMORPG about, um, cartoons, I guess? I don't know that the game is actually still up and running, but you can register for an account right now—with a parent’s permission, that is. I bring this up because, though Fortnite probably doesn’t play a whole lot like Disney games, it sure looks like one. Again, this is a totally subjective thing, but Fortnite’s visuals really seem to lack polish and make the game feel like it’s intended for children. Graphics of this nature aren’t inherently bad, and games like Borderlands are all the better for their goofy artstyle. Fortnite, on the other hand, looks like a Skylanders expansion pack, and I don’t want to have to ever think about that game again.

Behind The Vault Doors

youtube.com As I’ve said, properly balancing a game as nuanced as Fortnite can’t be easy, and I wouldn’t begrudge the developers for it if the game’s balance didn’t dramatically impede on my enjoyment of the game. In an attempt to mitigate some of these issues, Epic Games has taken to rotating the weapon selection available in the game at any one time. This means that certain weapons will only be available for a certain amount of time before returning to the vault—a mythical wonderland full of awesome gear that you’re not allowed to use. While I definitely understand the motives behind this change, locking my favorite gear behind an imaginary vault door in the name of weapon balance feels like taking one step forward and two steps back.

Fallen Far

via: youtube.com Though still a work-in-progress, Fortnite has enough quirky bugs and wonky glitches to frustrate an avid player, and nothing is worse than a promising game coming to an end thanks to some really strange occurrences. Though it isn’t necessarily prevalent in every single match, the damage dealt by falling from a great height often feels inconsistent. It isn’t easy to determine exactly how much harm a fall from a given height should inflict, it often feels like two players could jump from the same distance and take unequal amounts of damage. Worst of all, damage dealt from sliding down a hill is absolutely ridiculous, and I’ve had matches come to an end because the game determined sliding a few feet down a hill to be physically insurmountable. Yes, it’s an early access game, but that doesn’t make this any less annoying.

I Think I ll Battle Pass…

via: youtube.com An unfortunate side-effect of gaming in the internet era would be publisher’s ability to easily manipulate pricing structures. While this initially took the form of DLC, the industry quickly graduated to micro-transactions, and we’ve been spiralling out of control ever since. Though it initially utilized the dreaded loot box system, Epic Games has since implemented their Battle Pass method, a system by which you can slowly unlock cosmetic items via in-game progression. Though the package only costs a tenner, it doesn’t last forever, as passes will expire once their season ends. While innovative, Fortnite is just one of a growing list of games that want you to shell out for content that would have otherwise been included. Epic Game’s juggernaut title doesn’t ask for money up front, though, as you can play the Battle Royale mode without ever spending a dime.

Steam Strain

via: youtube.com While some players who primarily play on PC have disavowed Steam, a huge number of gamers still buy and house their games on Valve’s client. The problem, though, is that Fortnite, unlike most of its competition, isn’t on Steam. Very few games created by the developer are on the platform, but it represents a major problem for those who are already frustrated with accounts and subscriptions they have to manage. It is for this reason that many players refuse to use Electronic Arts’ Origin platform, and, though near-universally praised, a fraction of Steam’s users have signed up for CD Projekt Red’s Gog platform. Epic Games can do whatever it wants with its intellectual property, but lots of gamers begin to lose interest once they find out that they have to tie a series of accounts together to get the thing working on consoles. Steam may be a form of DRM, but at least I can sign in once and have access to thousands of games.

F r ee To P l ay

via: youtube.com Fortnite’s monetization scheme has many would-be players scratching their heads. While it isn’t actually that difficult to wrap your head around, onlookers have often been bewildered at the game’s free yet simultaneously premium status. As it currently stands, Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode, which only contains one mode and one map, is free to play. There is an additional campaign mode, however, which is accessible for upwards of $40. The kicker is that this mode will also be free upon the game’s official release. Gamers have often debate about the price structure relating to early access games: should we be offered the game at a discount since it isn’t a finished product? While there are arguments to be made on both sides, it seems weird that Epic Games is charging for access to something that will eventually be free for everyone.

Snapchat Royale

via: androidcentral.com If there’s anything the community could agree on about Fortnite, it’s that bombastic winners spamming your snapchat account with proof of their successful conquests is beyond annoying. We get it, you won. I don’t need a picture of it every time. While I suppose a member of an older generation might chalk this up to the culture of the internet-savvy youth, I can’t help but feel that Fortnite has provided a new avenue for obnoxious people to spread their obnoxiousness. We’ve all seen the memes of people hiding in bushes in-game so they can text their significant others back. That’s hilarious, I’m guessing you still find rage comics funny, too. Yeah, I know I’m coming off as overly-cynical, but my disdain for Fortnite braggarts is a pit so massive, not even Bane from Batman could climb his way out.

Bob The Builder

via: metabomb.net Can we build it? Yes we can! One of the standout features in Fortnite is the option to combine crafting materials into things like walls and ramps of different durability levels. While definitely a unique feature—adding a dash of Minecraft is a great way to bolster a game’s popularity—frustrated players have long voiced their concerns over the mechanic. Though putting on my hard hat and constructing my own impromptu fort is a pleasure that can’t really be found in any other Battle Royale game, it inadvertently warps and distorts the game’s strategic nature. Long, tactical shootouts and chase sequences are often replaced with crazy development duels between players erratically erecting ramps and towers. Sure, not every game has to be a hyper-realistic sim like the Arma games, but Fortnite’s weird urban sprawl often has me scratching my head.

YouTube s Fortnite Fever

via: youtube.com Alright, you may correctly contest that this is a bit of a hypocritical argument, but the amount of YouTube personalities hopping aboard the Fortnite bandwagon is ridiculous. Sure, it happens with nearly every major video game release, but it’s odd that some of these guys started with the game months after its early access debut—it’s almost as if they’re more interested in trend-chasing than genuine content. The Fortnite bubble is close to bursting, and many channels intently covering the game have already been reduced to parody. The infamous “Top 5 Fortnite YouTubers Who’ve Sworn” video is still relatively fresh in everyone’s minds, and, thought that may be an egregious example of vapid, terrible content, the trend is reaching critical mass. You may well enjoy watching Ninja earn victory royale after victory royale on stream, but, for every good Fortnite content producer, there are five annoying ones diluting the community.

Dance Party

via: youtube.com This one is certainly down to personal preference, but the game’s emotes are often downright comical—they’re so over-the-top that they’ve quickly become annoying. I understand that these outlandish dance moves adhere to the game’s cartoony look, but I just can’t take it seriously at when every player I come across has to do a bizarre little twist-and-shout. I gave up on the Call of Duty franchise for a similar reason. While I still love the series’ famous horde mode, I, like many other ex-fans, can no longer tolerate the multiplayer. It has devolved into nothing more than a slog through lobby after lobby of dabbing, breakdancing players with gaudy, annoying weapon skins and camos. I don’t want to come across as some grizzled old grandfather angry at the silly millenials and their crazy computer-machines, but here we are.

Free For All… Except On Xbox One

via: amazon.com The battle between Sony and Microsoft doesn’t seem to be quite as heated this console generation. While Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console won in terms of popularity during the seventh console generation, gamers seem to have come around in support of Sony for the modern era. This assuredly means that Microsoft’s console is the worst place to get your Fortnite fix. One minor folly of their most recent console, however, is that it’s the only game system that locks Fortnite behind some kind of premium service. The game is free to play on PC of course, but, crucially, its PS4 port isn’t tethered to Playstation Plus, so the only barrier to entry is an internet connection. Good on you, Epic Games. It’s a source of major annoyance if you happen to own an Xbox One, however, as the game requires an Xbox Live Gold Membership to play.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

via: youtube.com Epic Games has gotten a lot of praise for their implementation of micro-transactions in Fortnite. I’ve touched on the topic already, but I don’t think that the terms “praise” and “micro-transactions” have any business being in the same sentence, even though I just wrote a sentence with both words in it. The Battle Pass may be a cool idea, but I’m really not interested in paying for a progression system. What’s more, some of the game’s standalone micro-transactions are beyond absurdly priced. Some skins or costumes can cost up to $20, which is half of what the full Fortnite experience currently costs. If you’ve got a ton of money to burn, then I still wouldn’t recommend this stuff. I may have enjoyed John Wick, but I don’t want to drop that much cash on the ability to virtually cosplay as Keanu Reeves.

Play The Game At Its Worst

via: leutech.com I have held conflicting opinions about the early access business model since Steam first popularized it a few years ago. While it provides a lower barrier of entry for developers lacking in resources, it also provides a means for scammers or dishonest devs to publish unfinished garbage. While we certainly know that Fortnite isn’t some scummy attempt from Epic Games to swindle the gaming populace, it entered into early access in somewhat of an uncertain state. While nowhere near as flawed a game like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, the game did have bugs, and it was slow to generate interest. This is the true cost of early access development—the game will receive the most attention when it’s in its least finished state. Fortnite will never again be as popular as it is now, and it isn’t even a finished product. By the time development is done, player counts will have dropped significantly.

Streamer Syndrome

via: youtube.com Like many early access darlings, Fortnite rose to popularity largely thanks to YouTube and Twitch streamers. Now, Epic Games is no newcomer, and they’ve made waves with their Unreal 4 Engine. Yet, it’s doubtful that the game would have done nearly as well if it hadn’t been picked up by influential members of the gaming sphere. Once dubbed the “Pewdiepie syndrome,” games covered by major gaming personalities almost always see a spike in sales and coverage. The issue with that is, if a streamer giveth, a streamer may taketh away. We’ve seen this with games like DayZ and Destiny, a success bolstered by user-generated internet content quickly quiets down once the community moves on from it. Fortnite may be on the top of the most watched list today, but tomorrow, who knows what’ll be there.