Epic Games has filed a lawsuit against Sebastian Araujo, a Fortnite player, for multiple instances of cheating during tournaments. The legal action follows an incident where Araujo allegedly utilized cheating software, including aimbot and wallhacks, to gain unfair advantages, resulting in significant cash winnings. This decision comes as part of Epic Games’ broader effort to combat cheating and maintain integrity in competitive play.
The lawsuit specifies that Araujo’s actions not only violated tournament rules but also undermined the fairness of the competition for other players. “Araujo pocketed thousands of dollars that other competitors in the tournaments—who played by the rules—had no real chance to win,” the complaint states. Epic aims to instill confidence among players that the competitive atmosphere is fair and enjoyable.
Epic Games reinforces tournament integrity
In effort to enhance tournament integrity, Epic Games has restructured its competitive rules, particularly for the FNCS Divisional Cups and other tournaments with cash prizes. All players must now navigate multiple rounds before qualifying for prizes, ensuring that only the best competitors can participate in high-stakes matches. Furthermore, players caught teaming up with cheaters will face minimum bans of 28 days, with repeat offenses leading to longer suspensions. If a player receives a competitive ban lasting 14 days or more, they will not be permitted to partake in FCNS tournaments during that season or any overlapping season.
The response from Epic Games is not solely punitive; it includes improved mechanisms to identify and combat cheating. The company employs various strategies such as anti-cheat services like BattlEye and Epic Online Services to detect and eliminate cheaters effectively. These measures aim to provide a level playing field where competitors can rely on their skills rather than resort to illicit tactics.
Previous legal efforts and ongoing commitment
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident for Epic Games. The company previously secured a victory against an Australian Fortnite cheater in 2022. The settlement funds from that case were remarkably donated to charity, illustrating Epic’s commitment to addressing cheating in a socially responsible manner. If successful, Araujo could face substantial financial penalties, reminiscent of past lawsuits against cheats in other competitive games. For instance, the cheat maker in a PUBG-related case was ordered to pay $10 million, while a Destiny 2 cheater incurred $500,000 in damages.
Epic Games continues to signal its determination to root out cheating and its associated culture within the Fortnite community. As the situation with Araujo develops, further legal ramifications for similar offenders may emerge. The ongoing investigations into both players and cheat vendors hint at a comprehensive strategy aimed not only at current offenders but also at preemptively discouraging potential cheaters.
Featured image credit: Vlad Gorshkov/Unsplash
