The problem with building in fortnite: balancing skill, accessibility, and competition
Since its launch in 2017, fortnite has become one of the most popular and influential games in modern gaming history. The game’s unique combination of a battle royale mode with a building mechanic has set it apart from competitors, leading to its rapid rise to cultural phenomenon status. While the game’s core mechanics-shooting and survival-are standard for the genre, its distinctive building system adds an additional layer of strategy that has become both its most defining and divisive feature.
Over the years, building has transformed the way fortnite is played, particularly in competitive settings. The mechanic allows players to create structures for defense, offense, or mobility, making encounters dynamic and unpredictable. However, it has also created a steep skill gap, alienating casual players and raising questions about the game’s balance. This article will explore the ongoing debate surrounding building in fortnite, examining its evolution, impact on gameplay, and how epic games has responded to both casual and competitive player concerns.
The origins of building in fortnite
Fortnite’s building mechanic was initially conceived as a core feature of its pve mode, fortnite: save the world. In the original game mode, players could gather materials to build fortifications and defend themselves from waves of enemies. This mechanic carried over to the battle royale mode, where building offered a unique twist on the traditional third-person shooter experience.
At first, building was a simple, intuitive tool that players used sparingly. As players became more skilled, however, building rapidly evolved into an essential part of competitive play. High-level players began mastering techniques like “90s” (a building technique to rapidly ascend while defending oneself), editing structures mid-fight, and manipulating materials to gain the upper hand in battles.
Why building sets fortnite apart
Building adds a layer of complexity to fortnite that sets it apart from other battle royales like pubg or apex legends. Players not only have to focus on looting, aiming, and positioning but also must be adept at gathering materials and constructing structures in the heat of battle. It has become a form of expression and creativity, allowing skilled players to dominate with custom builds and strategies.
Since its launch in 2017, fortnite has become one of the most popular and influential games
A tactical edge
Building isn’t just about putting up walls-it’s a strategic element that allows players to manipulate the battlefield, create cover where none exists, and even turn the tables in otherwise unwinnable situations. For many, mastering building is what makes fortnite so exhilarating, offering a nearly infinite number of possibilities in any given encounter.
The skill gap: master builders vs casual players
As the fortnite player base grew, so did the disparity between casual players and those who invested significant time mastering the game’s building mechanics. Building quickly became a necessity in higher levels of play, and players who could not build as efficiently found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. This evolving skill gap became a contentious point, especially for newcomers or players who enjoyed a more traditional shooting experience.
Building as a barrier to entry
One of the most common criticisms of fortnite is that its building system creates an intimidating barrier for new or casual players. In most shooters, players can rely on their aiming and positioning skills to survive. In fortnite, however, players who cannot build quickly and effectively are at an immediate disadvantage. Encounters often devolve into intense build battles, where inexperienced players are easily outmatched by more practiced builders.
For casual players who don’t spend hours practicing building techniques, it can feel impossible to compete. This frustration has led some to abandon the game altogether, leaving a more hardcore player base that thrives on the high-skill ceiling of building mechanics.
The impact on competitive play
In competitive fortnite, building is often the deciding factor in high-stakes matches. Pro players have honed their building skills to a fine art, using complex techniques like turbo-building, editing structures instantly, and creating elaborate builds in mere seconds. While this raises the skill ceiling and adds depth to the game, it also means that competitive fortnite can be difficult to watch for casual viewers, as the speed and complexity of the builds are overwhelming.
Some argue that the dominance of building in competitive play has overshadowed other important skills, like aiming and game sense. As a result, fortnite has become more about who can build faster and more efficiently, rather than who has the best overall strategy or gunplay.
Epic games’ response: trying to balance skill and accessibility
Epic games has been aware of the ongoing debate regarding building for years. They have introduced numerous updates and adjustments to strike a balance between making the game accessible for casual players while maintaining the depth and complexity that building provides. These changes, however, have not always been met with unanimous approval from the player base.
The introduction of turbo building
One of the most significant updates to fortnite’s building system was the introduction of turbo building, which allowed players to place structures faster by holding down the build button. This change initially made building more accessible, as it reduced the need for precise, individual inputs. However, it also led to the rise of even faster, more complex building techniques, further widening the skill gap between casual and high-level players.
As the fortnite player base grew, so did the disparity between casual players
The role of material caps
Epic games has also experimented with material caps to limit how much players can build in a single match. By capping the number of materials each player can carry, epic attempted to reduce the impact of endless build battles, which can sometimes slow the pace of the game. This change aimed to make fights more focused on positioning and gunplay rather than endless building, but it didn’t completely solve the issue, as skilled builders continued to dominate.
The rise of no-build mode: a response to player demand
In response to ongoing feedback from casual players and those frustrated by the dominance of building, epic games introduced a new mode in 2022: zero build. This mode strips away the building mechanics entirely, focusing instead on traditional battle royale gameplay with gunfights, positioning, and map control.
The success of zero build
Zero build quickly became popular among players who had grown tired of building or who preferred a more straightforward shooter experience. The mode has garnered praise for being more accessible to new players, allowing them to enjoy fortnite without feeling overwhelmed by the need to build. It also brought back lapsed players who had left the game because of the steep learning curve associated with building.
For many, zero build has reinvigorated their love for the game, offering a simplified, fast-paced version of fortnite that still retains the charm of its art style and mechanics without the high-skill requirement of building.
The future of no-build mode
While zero build was initially introduced as a limited-time mode, its popularity led to its permanent inclusion in fortnite. Some speculate that the continued success of zero build could push epic games to focus more on this mode in the future, especially as it attracts a different audience than the traditional build mode.
The competitive split: building vs zero build
With the introduction of zero build, fortnite now has two distinct communities: those who prefer the traditional build mode and those who enjoy the no-build experience. This split has also extended to competitive play, with separate tournaments and events for each mode.
Competitive build mode
Competitive build mode continues to be the premier mode for professional fortnite players. Here, building is essential, and the best players are those who can seamlessly integrate building, editing, and shooting in rapid succession. This mode remains the most complex and demanding version of fortnite, where players need both mechanical skill and deep game knowledge to succeed.
Competitive zero build
On the other hand, competitive zero build has started to attract its own following. Without building, players must rely on positioning, aim, and game sense to win. While it may lack the complexity of traditional build mode, it has its own set of challenges, as players must navigate the map and use the environment to their advantage without the safety of building walls or ramps.
Building fatigue: the downside of the mechanic
For some players, the relentless focus on building in fortnite has led to burnout. Constantly needing to practice and improve building techniques to stay competitive can be exhausting, and the rise of faster building techniques, like box fighting and tunneling, has only exacerbated this issue.
Epic games has been aware of the ongoing debate regarding building for years
The pressure to keep up
Because fortnite updates frequently and introduces new mechanics, players often feel pressured to keep up with the meta. This includes learning new building techniques or mastering advanced strategies. For casual players, this can be overwhelming, and even for competitive players, the constant need to stay at the top of their game can lead to burnout.
The search for simplicity
The introduction of zero build mode provided an escape for many players who wanted to return to the basics of battle royale without the complexity of building. This shift suggests that even though building is a core part of fortnite’s identity, there is still significant demand for simpler gameplay experiences.
