Epic Games Bans Signaling in tournaments from Fortnite Due to Cheating

Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world. And with popularity comes a lot of problems, for example cheating. Players either using hacks, stream sniping or more creative options like signaling other players. And Epic is now implementing new rules to combat this new form of cheating.

The tactic is pretty easy and often overlooked. Players would use emotes, toy tossing, or any way to get their friend's attention while on the opposite team. Exposing their allies and giving their friends an advantage. Epic is now banning this type of behavior from tournaments. 

For 2020 and beyond, our team will continue to monitor competitive play in all regions and will take action against unfair play if necessary. With this new year of Fortnite competition, we wanted to highlight a specific rule and provide clarification on what we will be actioning on moving forward:

Competitive Fortnite’s Collusion Rule:

 

Players may not work together to deceive or otherwise cheat other players during any match (“Collusion”). Examples of Collusion include the following:

Teaming: Players working together during the match while on opposing teams.
 

Planned Movement: Agreement between 2 or more opposing players to land at specific locations or to move through the map in a planned way before the match begins.
 

Communication: Sending or receiving signals (both verbal and non-verbal) to communicate with opposing players. 
 

Item Dumping: Intentionally dropping items for an opposing player to collect.

 

Throughout last year, players have been sending or receiving signals more commonly during official Fortnite competitions to the point where many players are confused around the ruling. 

 

For 2020 (starting 1/20/20), we are taking action against any kind of in-game communication between opponents via signaling in official tournament matches. This includes, but is not limited to: 

Pick-axe swinging

Emoting

Toy tossing

Jumping

Cheaters will also try to find new methods and it's up to the developers to find these tactics and combat them. It's very hard but it's great to see Epic is combating such an issue without using a sledgehammer. 

Adam Siddiqui,
Senior Editor, NoobFeed
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