Brave Fortnite Players are Trying to Win Without Using Weapons
Players are coming up with new ways to challenge themselves.
Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode continues to be the most popular game in the world, and it shows no signs of slowing down. According to data from SuperData Research (shared by The Verge), Fortnite made almost $300 million in April 2018 alone. Keep in mind players aren’t purchasing items to help them win. They’re purchasing visual items, like skins and dances, and seasonal Battle Passes that give them quests to complete to earn more visual goodies.
After playing so many matches on the same (albeit frequently changing) map, with the same basic rules (be the last player or team standing), things might get a bit repetitive. Leave it to creative players to find new ways to keep the game fresh.
Earlier this month, we learned about a fan made (and unofficial) Protect the President mode that lets a team of players work as secret service members to protect a teammate who takes on the role of the president. This mode increases the game’s normal challenge level, as the president is typically allowed to use very little in terms of in-game weapons and items to defend themselves.
If that twist isn’t challenging enough, why not try earning a Victory Royale without using any weapons? As Kotaku reported, brave Fortnite players are taking on the “no-weapons challenge” and sharing their gameplay on YouTube.
Like the Protect the President mode, the no-weapons challenge can be customized by each player. Some players, for instance, limit themselves to only using the game’s default pickaxe as their weapon (every player starts with one, but it does little damage). Others are more lenient, and allow themselves to use items like grenades.
Whatever the stipulation, the no-weapons challenge is just that -- a challenge. In each match, Fortnite lets dozens of players attack each other in-game with all sorts of weapons, from shotguns to rifles. Now imagine taking everyone else out (or waiting for them to take each other out), while you’re hiding with nothing but a pickaxe.
If this challenge sounds like something your teens might enjoy, let them know they can find plenty of examples of how this mode works on YouTube.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek’s Social Pro Daily. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
