Fortnite Sparks Backlash After Removing Team Rumble in Latest Update
Fortnite has never shied away from evolving its gameplay, vaulting weapons, rotating features, and experimenting with new modes. But in its latest update (v36.10), Epic Games may have made one of its most controversial moves yet: quietly removing Team Rumble, a staple of the game since 2018, and replacing it with the newly introduced Training Grounds mode.
What initially started as a rumor among leakers on Tuesday quickly became reality the following day. With the update now live, players logging in were met with a surprising absence Team Rumble is gone, and Training Grounds has taken its place.
What Is Training Grounds, and Why Is It Causing Outrage?
Training Grounds is a new mode where two teams of eight square off in a smaller location with respawns enabled. While it shares some DNA with Team Rumble particularly the casual, respawn-based combat it lacks what many fans considered Team Rumble’s most valuable features.
Specifically, players are pointing out that quest progression and XP farming a core use of Team Rumble appear to be severely limited or outright disabled in the new mode. For many casual or grind-focused players, Team Rumble was the go-to environment to complete quests, test new mechanics, or just take a breather from the high-stakes pressure of battle royale or ranked modes.
Community Reaction
The community has responded with swift and passionate backlash. “We are being stripped of everything in this game we enjoy,” one player wrote, summarizing the mood of many others who took to Reddit and X to voice frustration. Screenshots of angry posts and long-time players reminiscing about Team Rumble’s utility quickly began to trend across Fortnite forums.
Many have questioned why Training Grounds couldn’t have coexisted with Team Rumble rather than replacing it outright. Others pointed out that Team Rumble was one of the few modes designed with casual, non-competitive play in mind, especially important for players who prefer to focus on quests and progression instead of constant PvP.
Why This Might Hurt Fortnite More Than Epic Thinks
While Fortnite has weathered criticism in the past, the timing of this move is notable. The removal of OG Ranked mode earlier this year already coincided with one of Fortnite’s lowest player counts in two years. Now, taking away another long-standing, widely-used mode without warning or explanation could further alienate the player base especially veterans who’ve been around since Team Rumble’s 2018 debut and 2019 permanent inclusion.
If Epic doesn’t offer a clear explanation or reversal soon, they risk eroding the goodwill of their more casual and completionist players an audience that has been crucial to Fortnite’s long-term success.
Fortnite thrives on innovation, but its strength also lies in knowing what not to fix. Removing a mode as deeply rooted as Team Rumble without warning or replacement features might just be a rare misstep one the community isn't likely to forget anytime soon.
What are your thoughts on the drama? Do you feel the same as other frustrated Fortnite players? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments!
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