Is Fortnite better without building?

Towards the end of March, Epic Games stripped building from Fortnite. It was a dramatic change that essentially turned Fortnite into a completely different game. For the last five years, players in the popular battle royale game have completely relied on the ability to build to win their matches, even at the highest level of Fortnite esports. As the change washed over the world, gamers on a global scale were left wondering, why did Fortnite remove building?

Ultimately, it was a temporary change, with many believing it to be an April Fool’s Day prank. However, in response to a mixed reception to the change, Epic Games decided to split the difference entirely. Today, you have the option to play traditional Fortnite with building or strip out the mechanic entirely, playing with a boots-on-the-ground style of gaming. It’s the perfect solution to what was in equal parts a jubilant and devastating change to Fortnite.

Now, let’s answer another important question – is Fortnite better without building?

Why Did Fortnite Remove Building?

Image Credit: Fortnite

It’s important to stress that, technically, Fortnite didn’t remove building… At least, not entirely. It was a temporary measure that pulled millions of users back into the game, especially considering the mixed views on building. For some, it’s a tantalising mechanic that can mean the difference between winning and losing – and sometimes, that can bring about financial change. For instance, at the Fortnite World Cup in 2019, building was a pivotal mechanic that enabled Bugha to pick up the biggest solo prize in esports history…

When Fortnite removed building, it was something of an experiment. This was Epic Games testing the waters, finding out whether or not people would enjoy a building-free game mode. It turned out to be a relative success, with many top-tier creators flocking back to the battle royale to give it a try. For the most part, people were ecstatic about the change, claiming to be enjoying Fortnite ‘for the first time in years’.

Typically, Fortnite’s building mechanics can be overwhelming, with new users failing to grasp the practice fast enough to compete. When you go up against an experienced player, you’ll fire one shot and be standing before a tower reaching high into the sky in a matter of seconds. It’s too much for some players to get to grips with, and the slower, more grounded pace of no-build Fortnite is simply easier for some players to appreciate.

Is Fortnite Better Without Building?

There’s no doubt that Fortnite is easily the most popular battle royale title to ever exist. It’s the pioneer of the genre, sitting firmly at the top of the table for more than five years. It has given way to the likes of Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Fall Guys, leading them along a path to success. Whether it’s better without building or not is a mostly subjective question, and it’s one that splits the community straight down the middle.

While plenty of gamers had fun with no-build Fortnite, there was an equal party that refused to play unless they could build in-game. It’s a simple process of not being able to please everyone, of course. Ultimately, no-build Fortnite turned out to be such a success that Zero Build Mode has become a permanent fixture in Fortnite.

However, it doesn’t take away from traditional Fortnite, as, at the press of a button, you can still enjoy that experience. It’s Fortnite as you know and love, but with an extra, added feature.