Four Fornite players have been suspended for sixty days after allegations of teaming surfaced during the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS). Nate “Kreo” Kou, Logan “Bucke” Eschenburg, “Keys”, and “Slackes” all garnered significant suspicion throughout FCNS Week 1. The two groups secured the top two spots after a prominent showing throughout the week.
However, a clip from Twitter user DROXIDE soon went viral, showing the players tagging each other with damage to avoid Storm Surge. If a player hasn’t dealt enough damage throughout the game, they put themself at risk of taking extra damage from the Storm Surge. The duos seemed to be tagging each other with small bits of damage to avoid falling beneath the damage quota.
**Warning: Loud Audio**
lil free storm surge lmao pic.twitter.com/tCZP4mYAHC
— droxide (@DROXlDE) March 23, 2020
The groups attempted to hide their colluding by masking their interactions as fights. However, it became suspicious when, after several instances of “fighting,” neither duo ever committed to eliminating the other. Furthermore, neither squad seemed entirely worried about taking damage from each other. They never actively backed away from a fight nor built walls in an attempt to ward off the damage.
Fortnite makes an example out of the duos
This isn’t the first instance of professional Fortnite players cheating in official events. Famously, Damion “XXiF” Cook was caught cheating during the Fornite World Cup in 2019, earning a ban of two weeks. Similarly, FaZe Clan member “Jarvis” saw a permanent ban after he uploaded videos where he used an aimbot.
Epic Games outlined clear guidelines regarding their stance on colluding and teaming in FNCS. Section 8.2.2 in FNCS Chapter 2 Season 2 Official Rules explicitly states:
“Players may not work together to deceive or otherwise cheat other players during any match (“Collusion”). Examples of Collusion include the following:
Teaming: Players working together during the match while on opposing teams.”
After reviewing the evidence, Epic agreed the behavior was not in line with their rules and dished out a punishment harder than those previously dealt under similar circumstances. Their ban effectively eliminates the opportunity for any of the four players to earn money from competing this season.
“Wish we at least had the opportunity to defend ourselves.”
Epic Games’ stance on the situation has divided the Fortnite community. Many competitors side with Epic, saying the ban is well deserved, but others feel as though the teams weren’t allowed to defend themselves.
Bucke specifically spoke out against his banning. In a Tweetlonger post, he explained the two teams scrim against each other often. As a result, the groups are aware of each other’s habits and pathing, which is why they engaged in the same area. Besides that, he says their “loot route” directs them to the same area as their counter-part.
“By the time that they are done with their loot route, they end up at the slurp truck and we end up shooting each other since we cross paths. Even when other teams land at slurpy swamp, we bloom battle them because there’s unlimited shield.”
Kreo also took to Twitter, saying those in support of the ban are “hopping on the bandwagon.”
Wish we atleast had the opportunity to explain/defend ourselves without everyone hopping on the bandwagon.
Also wish Fortnite did some sort of an investigation/asked us questions
💔
— BBG Kreo (@KreoFN) March 23, 2020
Neither the player’s organizations nor Epic Games have commented since the suspensions have been announced. Currently, the 60-day ban remains held, and there are no additional investigations in process. Keep up with Daily Esports for more Fortnite news.
