Fortnite has always been known for its impressive building mechanics. It’s what sets the game apart from other titles in the genre. But, Epic Games is known for listening to fans. So, when the noise about a mode without any building grew large enough, it added the Zero Build mode into the game. Now, rumors are swirling that its Zero Build Mode, a fan favorite, might soon be hitting the chopping block.
Introduced over a year ago, Zero Build Mode was a response to a vocal section of the player base that wanted a more straightforward, gunplay-focused experience. What was initially thought to be a temporary feature is now a permanent fixture, thanks to overwhelming positive feedback. This mode saw a surge in player count, with even the who’s who of gaming like Ninja and Tfue making regular appearances in the game.
But here’s where things get dicey. There are hints about the potential removal of the Zero Build Mode in the upcoming seasons. Reputable leaker @HYPEX hinted via X (Twitter) that Epic was experiencing technical challenges running the mode, especially with the old Chapter 1 map, which might result in the mode’s discontinuation.
Unsurprisingly, this news has not sat well with most fans, as evidenced by their unhinged reaction online. Many players, especially those who returned to Fortnite because of Zero Build, expressed their disappointment, arguing that the mode made the game more accessible, especially for those who aren’t fans of the building mechanics.
On the other hand, some players have praised this as a return to Fortnite’s roots, where building was a central part of its gameplay. From their perspective, the game should focus on what made it unique in the first place, and whether you like it or not, they do make a good point here.
That being said, removing Zero Build might not be the best move, especially given the problems Epic has been going through lately. Taking it away now could alienate a significant portion of the player base. After all, a lot of these players came back for the gunplay-centric experience that Zero Build offered. It stands to reason that scrapping this feature would send them packing again, wouldn’t it?
To stir the pot further, Fortnite leaker @ShiinaBR posted earlier today that the rumors concerning the mode removal were indeed simply rumors, nothing more, and that Zero Build is here to stay, at least for the next season. While this will certainly be welcome news for fans of Zero Build, there still remains the question of how this mode will fare on this classic terrain.
Some areas of the OG map are notoriously tricky to navigate without building. And if rumors are to be believed, we may see the temporary removal of recent mechanics like mantling and tactical sprinting, to truly bring back that old-school Fortnite vibe.
However, the latest leak also suggests that Epic Games has already devised a solution for the lack of traversal options sans the building mechanic: zip lines. This new mechanic will reportedly be strategically placed throughout the Chapter 1 map, providing a much-needed lift to those hard-to-reach places.
We would be remiss if we didn’t inform you that none of these rumors have been confirmed by Epic Games, and at this time, they should be treated as such. Hopefully, we’ll get some more information soon from official sources on the direction Fortnite Chapter 5 is heading.
