Update 6/7: Fortnite has acknowledged the issue in a recent tweet and promised fans that steps are being made to rectify the situation.
“We’re aware of an issue where some Vehicle bodies, like the Whiplash, have larger exposed sightlines to the driver while in the passenger position. We are adjusting the driver position backwards in some Vehicles to prevent any potential gameplay advantage over our next game updates.”
Original story follows.
Fortnitedeveloper Epic Games has acknowledged an issue with the game’s selection of cars, confirming its plans to introduce balance changes in the game’s next update. The issue stems fromFortnite’s new selection of vehicles, which places players who choose not to spend real money at a disadvantage.
Fortnitefans officially entered its Chapter 5 Season 3: Wrecked updateearlier this year, which saw the live-service game shift focus onto vehicles. While frantic third-person shooter action still remains, vehicle traversal and combat is a major component ofFortnitethis time around, with players being offered a wide range of wasteland-themed vehicles primed for speed and destruction. Some of these new cars are available for free inFortnite, with other cars being locked behind paywalls. Now, players are discovering it’s actually easier to get killed if they hop in a “free” car than a premium car, prompting Epic Games to issue a statement.
Following complaints about this unfair advantage, Epic Games officially acknowledged the issue, revealing the developer is working on a fix forFortnite’s selection of vehicles in the game’s next update. A statement was provided toKotaku, revealing that developers know about the problem and are working on a solution. “We’re aware of the issue and have a fix planned for an upcoming build,” says Epic. The core of the issue stems from players being more vulnerable to damage while inside free cars than in premium cars.Epic previously nerfed certain vehicles inFortnite, reducing health and turret fire, indicating it was somewhat difficult to balance cars withFortnite’s long list of other gameplay features.
Players Call Out “Pay-to-Win” Vehicles in Fortnite
PopularFortniteplayer and streamer Nickeh30recently demonstrated this issue in a TikTok, showing how players who do not spend money on vehicles are putting themselves at a major disadvantage. In the video, Nickeeh30 enters a Whiplash car, one of the free vehicles offered inFortnite. This vehicle has a large windscreen, allowing players to get shot at from a wider range of angles than some of the premium cars. He then enters a Samurai, a vehicle only available for players who pay real money, revealing it’s harder to get shot at and killed due to the smaller windscreen.
The difference in windscreen size has created an issue some are calling “pay-to-win,” something Epic has stated would never happen inFortnite. Despite this rather noble mission,Fortnitehas been criticized for being “pay-to-win” in multiple waysin the past. Epic has maintained a solid track record of putting all players, regardless of status, on equal footing, with most of the new seasonal features and gameplay tweaks being available to everyone. However, this windscreen issue has proven to be quite a troubling development in an otherwise incredibly exciting new chapter forFortnite.
Fortnite
WHERE TO PLAY
Create, play, and battle with friends for free in Fortnite. Be the last player standing in Battle Royale and Zero Build, experience a concert or live event, or discover over a million creator made games, including racing, parkour, zombie survival, and more. Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you may find the one that’s right for you and your friends.Explore large, destructible environments where no two games are ever the same. Team up with friends by sprinting, climbing and smashing your way to earn your Victory Royale, whether you choose to build up in Fortnite Battle Royale or go no-builds in Fortnite Zero Build.Discover even more ways to play across thousands of creator-made game genres: adventure, roleplay, survival and more. Or, band together with up to three friends to fend off hordes of monsters in Save the World.
