ESTNN dissects the hype surrounding a potential Zero Build Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) tournament.
Not a day has passed since the release of Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 2 where we haven’t discussed Zero Build mode. Epic Games took a calculated risk, removing the game’s building mechanic as part of the season’s overarching storyline. Since then, Fortnite has drawn unbelievable viewership numbers on streaming platforms, and a new wave of players has staked their support for Zero Build.
Content creators such as Turner “Tfue” Tenney, Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, Nick “NICKMERCS” Kolcheff and countless others believe Zero Build is the future. Tfue notably stepped away from Fortnite for an extended period before returning amid the Zero Build craze. Mere weeks later, he cashed a $21K USD payday alongside teammates Dennis “Cloakzy” Lepore and Scoped in the inaugural Twitch Rivals featuring Fortnite Zero Build tournament.
The tournament performed analytically, leading many creators to campaign for an even more significant competition without building.
NICKMERCS & Tfue Call for Zero Build FNCS
If Fortnite’s next FNCS tournament is No Builds, we’re making a super team & winning everything.
— FaZe Nickmercs (@NICKMERCS) April 4, 2022
Fortnite OG NICKMERCS took part in the Twitch Rivals event; he, NickEh30 and Clix ultimately finished second behind Team Tfue. He took to Twitter earlier today, stating that he would build a super squad and win Zero Build FNCS should that ever happen. NICKMERCS is not the only one who thought a Zero Build FNCS could occur.
FNCS NO BUILDING???
— Tfue (@Tfue) April 4, 2022
Twitch Rivals winner Tfue followed NICKMERCS’ lead. He tweeted out “FNCS NO BUILDING???” as discussions across the Fortnite scene heated up. Two of Twitch’s most notable names calling for a Zero Build FNCS is no minor detail. The Twitch Rivals viewership numbers alone would make such a tournament a no-brainer.
The vast majority, mainly content creators, supported the idea, but the same cannot be said for active professional Fortnite players.
Professional Players Campaign Against Zero Build Hype
No building would kill fortnite competitive so fast
— FaZe Cented (@Cented7) April 4, 2022
FaZe Clan player Evan “Cented” Barron believes an FNCS centered around no building could kill competitive Fortnite. While perhaps an overstatement, Cented might have a point. Zero Build is certainly the craze right now, but it’s impossible to project how long it will last. Something about watching high-level Fortnite – building and all – makes it feel special.
Is Zero Build FNCS the Right Call?
Fortnite’s building mechanic separates the game from every other Battle Royale title. It’s a unique concept, and talented players helped shape the “piece control” meta that we’ve all come to understand nowadays. To put it bluntly, Fortnite competitive is responsible for the most profound evolution of a game.
There could be a scenario where Epic Games splits a prize pool between a Zero Build and traditional FNCS. However, that could undoubtedly have an adverse effect. Two separate FNCS events could take viewership and exposure away from the players that have worked to become exceptional Fortnite competitors. A Zero Build FNCS could reduce this complex game to a more standard Battle Royale experience.
Leaker Discovers Zero Build Arena Mode in Game Files
Epic Games might tinker with the idea of having Zero Build in competitive as a selectable option, as a Zero Build mode for Arena Mode was added in all team sizes (Solos, Duos, Trios, Squads).
They might not use this however.
— iFireMonkey (@iFireMonkey) April 5, 2022
The plot thickened following content creators campaigning for a Zero Build FNCS. Fortnite leaker iFireMonkey found a Zero Build Arena Mode in the game files ahead of patch v20.10. The playlist included Solo, Duos, Trios and Squads. While it’s not active currently, this lends more credence to the possibility of larger-scale Zero Build tournaments.
Im ready https://t.co/wbnOHOKESS
— Ninja (@Ninja) April 5, 2022
Ultimately, the decision is in Epic’s hands. The developers witnessed what the Twitch Rivals event brought to the table. Furthermore, content creators are eager to sink their teeth further into Fortnite and reap the rewards. This fact alone could play heavily into Epic’s decision. Perhaps the Zero Build Lightning Cup today will give us a better idea of the future.
Stay tuned to ESTNN for more Fortnite news and updates!