Summary
- 1.1M players joined Fortnite OG within 2 hours of its release, but Epic Games has made two controversial changes to the mode.
- Epic Games has divided fans by adding skill-based matchmaking and bots to Fortnite OG.
- Fans have expressed disappointment about Fortnite OG including bots and skill-based matchmaking, so it will be interesting to see if any changes are made.
Developer and publisher Epic Games has divided its fan base by adding skill-based matchmaking to Fortnite's new throwback mode, Fortnite OG. The recent release of Fortnite's newest mode managed to attract 1.1 million concurrent players within two hours of its release. Fortnite OG transports players back to Season 1 of the battle royale, bringing back the original map, loot pool, and game mechanics.
Epic Games has been on a mission to grow and evolve Fortnite as both a game and a platform. Collaborations with titles like Marvel Rivals are meant to attract new players and expand the game's player base. Additionally, in 2023, Epic Games added several new modes to Fortnite, including Rocket Racing, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival. The developer recently made changes to the game's Fortnite Crew subscription to include all of its various passes as well.
The official Twitter account for Fortnite posted that the new mode Fortnite OG would now include improvements to matchmaking as well as duos. The introduction of skill-based matchmaking comes with the inclusion of bots, which some fans are unhappy about. Many players were quick to flood social media with heated comments, claiming that skill-based matchmaking and bots ruin the experience and taint Fortnite OG as a whole. Fans expressed that the changes make the throwback mode classic in name only. If many players who returned to the game leave, this could be a big blow to the immediate success of Fortnite OG.
Fortnite OG Has Incorporated Skill-Based Matchmaking
The controversial change has sparked heated debates among players on social media. Recent Reddit posts about Fortnite OG were flooded with comments about landing, being eliminated almost immediately, and repeating the process over and over again. While some fans were nostalgic about the experience, others were frustrated to the point of abandoning the throwback game mode. Epic Games has likely made the change to appease more casual players, but many fans who have returned for a classic experience are disappointed with the decision. It remains to be seen how the developer will respond. Recently, Epic Games made major changes to Fortnite's Chapter 6 Season 1 XP system in response to player feedback. It's possible a similar thing could happen with Fortnite OG.
Many fans feel as if they've been on a roller coaster, as Epic Games announced a new Fortnite 5v5 game mode called Ballistic, a crossover with Unreal Tournament, and changes to Fortnite OG all in one day. Some fans have remained impartial where the controversial change is concerned, noting that it's difficult to appease everyone with such a large player base. With the community divided about the changes made to Fortnite OG, it wll be interesting to see what the future of this Fortnite experience looks like.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 94%
- Released
- September 26, 2017
- ESRB
- T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
- Developer(s)
- Epic Games
- Publisher(s)
- Epic Games
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- All platforms (except iOS/Mac)
- Cross Save
- Via Epic Account
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Android, iOS
- X|S Optimized
- YES
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-4 players (certain modes)
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
