Epic Games slammed for forcing Fortnite players in $2m tournament to use provided equipment
Professional Fortnite players and members of the esports community have criticized Epic Games for forcing players to use peripherals provided by the developer at the Fall Skirmish TwitchCon tournament.
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It was announced on Thursday, October 11 that anyone competing in the $2 million event would have to use keyboards and mice provided by Epic Games and Logitech, and would also be forced to play on a resolution dictated by the creators of the massive battle royale franchise.
There was an immediate backlash from the esports community, with both fans and players taking to social media to chastise Epic Games for their decision.
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Team Liquid CEO Steve Arhancet called the ruling “disappointing” and asked the company to reconsider, stating: “You can’t ask kids who’s dream is to make it pro one day to change their gear nor an experienced pro to do the same. It becomes not about the game anymore, it’s how good someone can be using Logitech.”
Forced equipment is disappointing. You can’t ask kids who’s dream to make it pro one day to change their gear nor an experienced pro to do the same. It’s becomes not about the game anymore, it’s how good someone can be using Logitech. Encourage to reconsider for the dreamers
— Steve Arhancet (@LiQuiD112) October 11, 2018
Elsewhere, esports consultant Rod ‘Slasher’ Breslau described Fortnite as “amateur dressed up as esports”, and said that he believes “all this decision does is decrease skill across the board.”
Logistical concerns of swapping out peripherals to streamline the event during TwitchCon? Sure. Then have another ProAm celebrity event for charity.
But Epic putting up $2M with an event for Fortnite pros, make it legitimate. All this does is decrease skill across the board.
— Rod Breslau (@Slasher) October 11, 2018
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CounterLogic Gaming pro player Sam “WishYouLuckk” Salcedo decided to post his own ruleset for the event, which featured players using Wii remotes and monitors being turned off as a subtle dig at the ruleset, while Ali ‘TSM Myth’ Kabbani declared that all Fortnite pros would “be looking like content creators for the next two weeks.”
Winter Skirmish rule leak:
30fps lock
Epic in game settings
Monitor must be kept off
Must play with wii-moteITS TIME TO GRIND BOYS :triumph::triumph::triumph:
(This is a joke, please do not nuke my mentions)
— CLG Wish (@WishYaLuckk) October 12, 2018
Epic Games are yet to comment on the reason why players competing in the Fortnite Fall Skirmish tournament are being forced to use equipment provided by the company, and have refrained from responding to any of the criticism levelled at them.
