Today we launch an appeal for the good of all creators in the Fortnite ecosystem: #FixFortnite.
WHY WE FIGHT
In its current state, Fortnite as an entity is destined to crash and burn. We are creating this appeal out of love for this platform, and out of fear for this happening. There are hundreds of genuine creators who want to contribute to Epic's metaverse, but Epic needs to support us too.
We do not create this campaign to make enemies with Epic Games. We are highlighting the issues that plague Fortnite in 2024 for hope that Epic will hear and they will be fixed.
Fortnite's reputation is being ruined in real time. As long as "African [Expletive] Zone Wars" exists, Fortnite will not survive as a serious, all-ages friendly user-generated content platform, and this is extremely concerning both economically and morally for genuine creators, players, and viewers.
DISCOVER MODERATION
How does something like this get approved for Discover?
The age rating system was introduced in November 2023 to moderate content to be age-appropriate and protect children. "Gas Out Box PVP" is rated 7. Both Epic and the IARC have failed to stop this abhorrent content from entering the Fortnite ecosystem.
If Epic wants user-generated content to be the “future of Fortnite”, then it's time to step up the moderation and stop allowing bad actors to abuse the system.
The layoffs within Epic Games in September 2023 included members of the Creator Success Team. This undoubtedly impacted the moderation for Discover. Whether the moderation is done via outsourcing or AI, it needs to change.
AI GENERATED CONTENT
AI generated thumbnails are a significant problem: they are common in Discover, and they are very problematic.
AI image generation draws content from across the internet, infringing on copyright law and stealing content to generate Frankenstein-ish thumbnails.
Render artists are also seriously affected by the rise of AI generated thumbnails. The use of lazy, computer-generated images takes away from the sources of income of genuine artists.
RACISM AND FORTNITE
We are seeing a rise in racism and other shock tactics used to generate plays in the Fortnite ecosystem. Maps like "Palestine Zone Wars" exploit current world events and real tragedies so their creators can make a quick buck, and by not cracking down on them, Epic is complacent.
This is some of the most vile, openly racist content available on a UGC platform, and it's being put right onto the front page of Fortnite – and the fortnite.com website – thanks to Discover's algorithmic featuring.
Thankfully some maps have been banned, but not before being played by hundreds of impressionable children, and not before the community made an uproar on Twitter and brought this to Epic's attention. It should not be up to fellow creators to spot these abusive maps after they've already become successful; the moderation system should catch them out before they can even be published.
Some creators have also been using racist marketing online to promote their maps. This creates a bad image for Fortnite and promotes hateful content online.
A MESSAGE TO EPIC GAMES
Is this the “metaverse” you've envisioned for Fortnite since 2017? Brands will not work with this platform if they see that nothing is done about these issues.
“The only new content coming into this space now is 99% driven by chasing for a quick profit. There is no more creativity or originality whatsoever and you can straight up just steal things and will almost always get away with it.” – Creator ASCH
"Epic has always been the same, lots of communication for a month then a year of nothing, so much out cry regarding Creative and its current state and the most that comes from it is the Owner of the game blocking creators." - Creator EchoBuilds
There has been absolutely no communication from Epic Games regarding these issues. The developers that work hard on this game will always have our love, respect, and admiration, but the higher-ups at corporate level need to have a serious discussion about what their platform is becoming, before it's too late.
Epic Games Founder and CEO Tim Sweeney has been reportedly blocking users who mention the issues plaguing Fortnite to him. This is disappointing and we are moving in the wrong direction.
Please communicate with your players and the creators that make you money. Until you do, we will continue the campaign to #FixFortnite.