In Fortnite there is a new format this weekend: players compete in trios against each other. The new tournament was eagerly anticipated, but just before the kick-off, there was trouble. Epic changed the rules again – this time right before it starts.
This tournament is about: This weekend, the “Trios Cash Cup” is taking place:
- On July 13, there was the preliminary round
- On July 14, that is today, the finals with the 1000 best teams from each region start
Players are excited for the new trio tournament
What is special about it: It’s not about a huge amount of money. Epic is distributing 1 million $ prize money, but this money will be spread across all regions.
Who wins in Europe will receive, according to a leak, about 15,000$ – divided by three that would be 5000$ for each.
But Epic hinted at this “trio tournament” as early as June 20. Since then, many players have been eager for the format. Because something like a “trio” hasn’t existed before.
Competitive play only took place in duos or solos.
Therefore, there was a lot of excitement before this tournament: existing teams were considering who they would bring in as a third member.
There was a lot of training and discussion. Some top players skipped the “Fortnite Friday” even though they had committed to it, to train for the trio tournament.
Rule change just minutes before tournament start
This is how Epic upset the players: Just before the tournament started, Epic announced a rule change via Twitter.
A bug had occurred. Therefore, the tournament will take place with the “normal” harvesting rules and without material drops for the rest of the week.
Why this is important: The change means that players have to “farm more”, that is, they have to break things in the game with the pickaxe if they want to build their structures.
“Normally” different rules apply in competitive mode, so players have to farm less.
— Tfue (@TTfue) July 13, 2019
What is the reaction? The reaction to this “last-minute” change is very negative. Many are upset about it. The problem is not the change itself, but that it came just before the tournament started:
- Players criticize that it questions the “integrity” of the tournament.
- That’s not how to run an eSport.
- They accuse Epic of always doing everything at the last minute.
People are fed up. They expect Epic to communicate such changes after their mistakes in a way that players can adjust to.
I wouldnt be mad but you LITERALLY pull this on us with 15 minutes till the tourney, no disabling in arena or anything help us figure out how to play it. Like how hard is it to realise u fucked up and tell us with notice so we can adapt.
piss take
— Stuffs (@_Stuffs__) July 13, 2019
What is behind this: It is exactly what is repeatedly criticized about Epic’s handling of eSport, taken to an extreme.
It’s not feasible for teams to prepare for a tournament if a patch changes the rules beforehand and overturns the strategy. Here it is particularly striking because the change comes just before the tournament starts.
The criticism is directed at Epic’s way of working and mentality: against these rapid shifts and that much is probably done in a very hasty manner.
Epic has now been on vacation for two weeks – maybe there was no time left to perfect the arena mode for trios.
