In Fortnite, there is an unanswered question in eSports: How do you want to construct an eSport where everyone can participate, whether on PS4, Xbox One, or PC? Epic will have to clarify this question if they want to be an eSport for everyone.
The problem: Epic is currently experimenting with finding a format for Fortnite’s eSport. There is already an 8-million-dollar tournament, but there are still many questions left unanswered.
In certain modes, eSports players compete “indirectly” against each other on PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Some find this unfair.
In modes like “Solo Showdown” on weekends or the second week of the “Summer Skirmishes”, professional players compete against other “normal” players on their platform:
- Pro PC players play against other “normal” PC players
- Pro players on PS4 play against other players on PS4
Who wins there? In these modes, players who dominate on their platform win. A pro who eliminates many “normal players” on PS4 will win this tournament and claim the prize money.
Is it easier to win against casuals on PS4 than on PC?
PC players complain: Successful eSports players on PC, like the well-known streamer Ninja, find this system unfair.
They believe: The overall skill level on PS4 and Xbox One is lower than on PC. It is therefore easier for a good player to dominate on the consoles and then scoop up the prizes. As a PC player, it is harder here.
The frustration escalated in the second week of the “Summer Skirmishes”, when a relatively unknown player on PS4 accumulated 129 kills and bagged $130,000 in prize money. He outperformed well-known PC eSports professionals.
Also in the “Solo Showdown” tournaments, often unknown console players are leading.
Mouse and keyboard as a problem: Critics like to imply that successful console players use mouse and keyboard, giving them another advantage in competition against gamepad users.
What does Epic say? An employee of Epic Games mentioned in the last controversy (via reddit) that they do not see this problem. According to the values, all players are equal. They see skill differences. Even on PC, individuals dominate as strongly as on PS4 and Xbox One.
Then put everyone together if everyone is equal
This is Ninja’s response: Ninja seems not to like this answer. He notes that if that is the case, then Epic should host this type of tournament on cross-platform servers. That wouldn’t be a problem if everyone is equally strong.
What does that mean? Ninja means it cynically. He wants to critically question Epic’s position. Because of course, in a cross-server tournament, players with gamepads on PS4 and Xbox One would be at a significant disadvantage.
Console players also hate the idea of competing against PC players. This can be read repeatedly. The general attitude of many console players is: Mouse and keyboard belong in the office and not in gaming.
PC against PS4 and Xbox One – How should that work in eSports?
What’s behind it: Epic is in a dilemma. They want an eSport where everyone can participate. But that doesn’t work because players have different conditions.
- If players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC compete directly against each other, PC players will dominate because mouse and keyboard allow for better building in Fortnite than with a gamepad.
- If players compete “indirectly” against each other, PC players will complain that console players have it much easier – after all, they would have no chance in a “direct duel”.
Epic does not want to offend anyone and wants everyone to be able to participate. However, how that should work and how to offer a serious eSport where players can compete across all platforms, is still unknown. Especially in such a fast-paced game like Fortnite, a solution seems unlikely.
It would be unthinkable that in LoL, for example, one team plays with gamepads and the other with mouse and keyboard.
By the way: If Epic is serious about letting all players compete against each other, they would also need to include players from Mobile and Switch in eSports – that would be an absolute nightmare.
