Epic Games is once again cracking down on cheaters in Fortnite, this time through legal action, lifetime bans, and forced public apologies. The company continues its hardline stance against those who attempt to undermine the competitive integrity of its hit battle royale.
In a July 14th update from the Epic Games Newsroom on X, the developer confirmed it has taken legal action against two players. One was found using and distributing cheats, while the other conducted DDoS attacks against streamers to gain an unfair edge in matches.
As punishment, both players have received lifetime bans from Fortnite. Additionally, Epic has required them to issue public apology videos a tactic the company has used in the past to not only penalize cheaters, but also send a message to others considering similar behavior. Check out their apologies down below:
While this may seem incredible, it's far from unprecedented. Epic has sued players before for cheating, particularly those tied to the sale of cheat software or harmful behavior targeting other users. Hopefully other big studios will follow suit and try to clean up their games for players.
According to a 2024 study of anti-cheat systems across competitive titles, Fortnite was ranked among the more successful games at deterring cheaters. That’s in part due to Epic's multi-pronged strategy, which includes:
- Lawsuits against cheat creators and users
- Hardware bans and IP tracking
- In-game bot adjustments, such as reducing the number of bots in Battle Royale from 75 to 65 per match
- Manual and automated reporting systems
Epic's aggressive legal stance helps send a clear message to the broader gaming community: Cheating in Fortnite has real-world consequences and you will pay for it.
Fortnite’s massive player base makes it a frequent target for cheat developers, many of whom profit from selling hacks, aim bots, and exploit tools. This cottage industry threatens the fair experience Epic promises its players. If left unchecked, cheating could not only ruin matches it could also damage the game’s long-term appeal and community trust.
As a result, Epic continues to respond with real legal consequences, particularly in high-profile or disruptive cases.
In moves that every video game enjoyer likes: By combining lifetime bans, lawsuits, and public accountability, Epic Games is reinforcing its commitment to keeping Fortnite fair, fun, and competitive. While no system is perfect, this latest move serves as another reminder: cheating in Fortnite isn’t just against the rules it can land you in serious trouble.
What are your thoughts on the bans and Epics response to cheaters? Do you think more companies should do this to put cheaters in their rightful place? Let us know your answer in the comments!
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