The Fortnite community is in an uproar following the recent ban of a young player who allegedly cheated their way to thousands of dollars in tournament winnings. The incident has sparked a heated debate about the need for stricter consequences for cheaters in competitive gaming.
Many fans are calling for Epic Games to take legal action, arguing that simply banning players is not enough to deter cheating when real money is on the line. The controversy has reignited debate about the responsibilities of game developers to maintain a fair playing field.
Fortnite Fans Demand Stronger Action Against Cheaters
The controversy centers around a player named Kirbty, who recently announced their permanent ban from Fortnite on social media. Despite the ban, Kirbty’s X bio still proudly displays “$7.4k earned | 15,” referring to their age and the amount they won in tournament prizes.
For everyone seeing this i have been perm banned my decision have been made and i understand them so unfortunate but obviously i will be quitting was a good run love u all
— Kirbty (@kirbfn) June 20, 2024
As news of the ban spread, fans flocked to social media platforms to voice their opinions on the matter. Many argue that simply banning cheaters is not enough, especially when real money is involved.
“Pro player” with $7000 earned has been banned for cheating
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The calls for legal action against Kirbty reflect a growing frustration within the Fortnite community over the perceived leniency towards cheaters in competitive esports.
With real money at stake, many argue that cheating in tournaments should be treated as seriously as fraud in traditional sports—rather than simply resulting in a ban, permanent or otherwise.
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This could have a negative impact across the community.
The Wider Impact on Competitive Fortnite
The incident has also shed light on the broader impact of cheating on the competitive Fortnite scene. Another player (who also happens to be an active Fortnite content creator with over 1 million subscribers on YouTube), @OriginGGss, replied to Kirbty’s original announcement, revealing how the alleged cheater’s actions directly affected their team’s tournament plans and performance.
don’t know how u got away with it this long but glad ur finally banned
— Origin (@OriginGGss) June 20, 2024
The creator continued:
because my teammates and I all paid to go to LAN just to have to find a sub and switch roles just to play all because he downloaded cheats?
— Origin (@OriginGGss) June 20, 2024
This example shows how cheating doesn’t just undermine the integrity of the game but can have real-world consequences for other players and teams who invest time and money into competing fairly. It’s not just about the integrity of the game itself, but also the livelihood and aspirations of honest players who dedicate themselves to mastering their craft rather than relying on unfair advantages.
As the Fortnite community continues to debate the appropriate response to cheating in competitive play, all eyes are on Epic Games. The company has long maintained a zero-tolerance policy for cheating, but many fans argue that stronger deterrents are needed to truly combat the problem.
It remains to be seen whether Epic will heed the calls for legal action against the young player. However, this incident has undoubtedly reignited discussions about the ethics of competitive gaming and the responsibilities of the devs in ensuring a level playing field.
After all, incidents like this directly contradict the Fortnite Competitive motto: “Anyone can participate, anyone can win.”
Fortnite Reload has just gone live, and it is looking like it may resurge the franchise’s popularity yet again, but to what end? No one can be sure.
What steps do you think Epic Games should take to combat cheating in tournaments? Is pursuing legal action against cheaters who win prize money a good idea? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
