Fortnite Original Players Call for Resolution to ‘Monotonous’ Bot Issue

Epic Games has officially launched the highly anticipated Fortnite OG mode as part of Chapter 6 Season 1. This nostalgic addition has drawn excitement from many players; however, a substantial number have voiced their frustrations regarding a persistent issue: the prevalence of bots in the game.

In a recent throwback season, dubbed Fortnite Remix, players were treated to a temporary return to classic gameplay. Unlike its predecessor, Fortnite OG is set to be a lasting feature, allowing fans to engage in familiar battles over an extended period.

While the chance to wield iconic weapons, such as the Bolt Action Sniper Rifle, from the heights of Tilted Towers is exhilarating, dissatisfaction is brewing amongst some players. Just days after the Fortnite Remix finale achieved record-breaking concurrent player counts, Fortnite OG managed to attract over one million players within a mere 20 minutes. Yet, skepticism looms, as many question the authenticity of these accounts.

Concerns Over Bot Overpopulation in Fortnite OG

Prior to the launch of Fortnite OG, players were already raising alarms about the increasing number of bots infiltrating the game. In the new mode, the issue has become particularly glaring. User u/khaled_o_ on Reddit lamented the situation, stating, “Unfortunately, bots were the primary reason why my friends and I lost interest in playing Fortnite,” a sentiment that resonates with many others.

Bots need to be removed they ruin the BR experience… by u/khaled_o_ in FortNiteBR

Feedback on Reddit has been overwhelmingly negative regarding the bot issue. One frustrated player expressed regret for missing out on a bot-free experience, sharing, “I’m salty that I missed OG without bots. Couldn’t play until this evening and I was so hype to play a no-bot game and lo and behold, bots everywhere.”

Another player echoed this frustration, stating, “It’s boring when you encounter bots the whole game and then finally fight a real player at the end… there’s no skill involved and it’s just a waiting game and hoping you don’t die instantly at the end.” Adding to this, a user highlighted the irony of the situation, remarking, “Funnily enough, they’ve implemented them in such a terrible way it f**ks over both bot lobby only players and players who want to play against actual players.”

Since the incorporation of Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) in 2019, Fortnite has gradually included AI bots in its gameplay. As we move into 2024, the complaints about SBMM and the surge of bots have reached a fever pitch. Data from the third-party coaching and analytics service Osiron suggests that, in certain lobbies, bots could comprise up to 90% of players, with that percentage varying significantly based on the matchmaking tier.

BOTS IN FORTNITE OG INFO ‼️ [VIA @osirion_gg]• 90 Bots in LOW SBMM (if you have no thumbs)• 10-90 in MEDIUM SBMM• 10 Bots in HIGH SBMM pic.twitter.com/cJ2FgE2OKD

— HYPEX (@HYPEX) December 7, 2024

When the official Fortnite X Twitter account announced a fix for matchmaking issues and introduced Fortnite OG Duos, many players responded with anger over the bot situation. One particularly popular comment humorously quipped, “I just encountered a real player in my lobby, are you already aware of that bug?”

It is clear that the return of many dedicated players to Fortnite has been fueled by the launch of Fortnite OG. Unfortunately, this resurgence has also been countered by the overwhelming presence of bots, leading to widespread disappointment. Notably, Fortnite OG was originally released without bots, raising questions as to why Epic Games chose to introduce them at a later stage.

The pressing issue now stands: will Epic Games take steps to address the bot problem in future updates?

Source&Images