Fortnite, the popular gaming platform, recently announced a new discovery tab update. This struck chords with the player community as it appeared to mimic the layout of YouTube, allowing players to directly follow creators. The reaction was an unexpected mix of positivity and mockery.
At their March 20th State of Unreal 2024 showcase, Epic Games, Fortnite's creator, unveiled plans for this and other future updates. This includes the latest from their Unreal Engine 5.4, which is integral to the running of Fortnite.
Epic Games' showcase revealed a number of changes aimed at enhancing the gaming experience. This included a refreshed interpretation of Fortnite's discovery tab which caught the attention of many.
With this refurbishment, players will soon have the option to follow map creators. They will also be able to access these creators' social media channels directly from within the game, therefore improving the connectivity between creators and players.
Notable map creators such as Lachlan and SypherPK expressed enthusiasm about the addition of this sought-after feature. Nonetheless, a segment of players ironically compared the discovery tab's new look to that of YouTube.
A popular post on social media encapsulated this sentiment, employing emojis and humor to quip, 'NEW DISCOVERY LOOK ‼️ - It's basically YouTube'.
The satirical comparison sparked further conversation among gamers. One player questioned the resemblance on a public forum, enquiring about the 'YouTube a** layout?'.
Other gamers used the opportunity to express nostalgia for the good old days. 'This is so horrible, I miss when it was just Battle Royale modes, with a simple UI', wrote another player, reminiscing about early Fortnite versions.
Further comments revealed a concern for the platforms smaller creators. One user hoped that requirement thresholds would be set for the new feature to protect these creators, stating, 'No offense to small creators but I hope there has to be some sort of BIG requirement to do this because this can be really bad.'
Another group of users made comparisons not to YouTube, but to another gaming platform – Roblox. They shared the view that the current look of Fortnite's UI became 'very much like Roblox'.
Interestingly, the more notable complaints about Fortnite's new UI haven't been about the design's look alone. Many players have taken issue with changes made to the overall system during Chapter 5 of the game.
While some forthright gamers have even described the new UI as 'disgusting', several others have labelled it an 'unnecessary change'. It is evident that the player community is largely divided on the subject.
In the face of accusations, Fortnite has made certain concessions based on player feedback. For instance, the removal of the Item Shop’s timer from the UI was reversed.
Nevertheless, players still anticipate a refined UI experience in the upcoming seasons. Many believe the present UI has transformed Fortnite into something more complex.
The incarnation of Fortnite as a sort of metaverse has transitioned it away from its roots. Manifold players long for the simpler times, when Fortnite was predominantly a Battle Royale game.
In conclusion, the player community's mixed reactions not only reflect a variety of opinions but also hold implications about the future of Fortnite. The actual impact will only be discernible with the release of proposed updates and throughout the subsequent seasons.