New rules for the competitive scene in Fortnite will be introduced in 2020. We will show you how the rules will change and how well-known streamers will react to it. Among other things, jumping and swinging the pickaxe will be banned if there is a risk of signals being sent.
What will be changed? Epic Games announced that as of January 20, 2020, new tournament rules will be implemented in Fortnite (Via epicgames).
These rules aim to prevent opponents from teaming up, forming a team, or collaborating to their advantage.
New tournament rules in 2020
What are the existing basic rules in Fortnite tournaments? Epic already introduced a few basic rules for the competitive scene in 2019.
In tournaments, the following actions are not allowed:
- Collaboration between opposing teams
- Agreements between different players/teams to land at the same place or to determine a specific rotation route
- Communication: Sending or receiving signals (verbal or non-verbal) to communicate with opponents
- Intentionally dropping items so that the opponent can pick them up
However, players quickly found new ways to communicate with their opponents. Now, effective January 20, 2020, Epic has added clear new rules.
These actions in the game will now be considered cheating and will be punished:
- Swinging with the pickaxe
- Performing emotes
- Throwing toys
- Jumping
A warning will be issued for each of these actions. However, Epic Games states: “We want to clarify that these actions in the game are allowed if no communication is involved. Repeated occurrences will be punished with a more severe penalty.”
Pro players not so excited about the rules
How do pro players react to the new rules in Fortnite? This type of communication has become established in Fortnite tournaments. Swinging a pickaxe or performing an emote signals to the opponent that the player does not want to fight but prefers to move to a new location on the map, wanting to “rotate” instead.
Since mobility in Fortnite Chapter 2 is very limited, these methods of communication have been utilized even more. Everyone wants to escape the storm and cannot just use a jump pad to fly away.
Understandably, now the pro players of Fortnite are not thrilled about these new rules:
Pro player benjyfishy wrote on Twitter: “This won’t work unless more mobility is introduced. The game is totally based on luck. If you’re not in the zone, you’ll die in the end game.”
Player FNATIC_MOTOR also reacted to the rules. He warns other pro players.
“Don’t jump, or you will get banned!”
Even pro Ninja speaks out
The pro and streamer Ninja, who often stands up for Fortnite, also seems to not fully understand why these rules were implemented.
He says that while he understands what Epic Games is trying to do, it is strange to see teams and players rotating, not shooting, and swinging their pickaxe as viewers.
“And banning jumping? That is the best way to avoid sniper shots.”
We will see how the rules will evolve or if there will be any adjustments.
Integrity of eSports in Fortnite is questioned
What it’s about: The eSports in Fortnite is unique in that it pays off to avoid fights for as long as possible to reach the endgame and collect points.
Therefore:
- teams have advantages that follow their “own” routes, avoid other teams, or signal that they do not want to fight
- teams have disadvantages that move around without coordination and attack anyone they encounter on their way
This leads to absurd situations where players maintain “non-aggression pacts,” which can be confusing for viewers. It is also unfair to those who seek fights, as is actually intended.
In November 2019, even doubts arose about the integrity of eSports in Fortnite. The Fortnite coach DestinyJesus had coached several winners at the Fortnite World Cup 2019.
Critics claimed that he could have coordinated the routes of the players, leading to an illegal agreement that significantly influenced the outcome of the Fortnite World Cup.
