Benjyfishy says competitive Fortnite could die as prize pools keep getting lower

Fortnite pros warn of competitive scene decline as prize pools shrink, sparking community backlash

Introduction

The Fortnite competitive scene faces an existential crisis as professional players sound alarms about dwindling prize pools and declining interest. NRG esports athlete Benjy ‘benjyfishy’ Fish has emerged as a vocal critic, warning that continued reductions in tournament payouts could spell doom for competitive Fortnite.

Before Season 5 of the Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) even launched, professional competitors began raising concerns about the shrinking financial incentives for 2021 tournaments. The outcry highlights growing tensions between competitive players and Epic Games.

The Prize Pool Controversy

Following the conclusion of FNCS Season 4 in November 2020, competitors eagerly anticipated details about the upcoming competitive season. When Epic Games unveiled their plans on December 4, the announcement included concerning trends for professional players.

The developer confirmed FNCS Season 5 would launch on February 4, alongside promises of expanded tournament formats including weekly competitions and Creator Cups. However, the revealed prize structures sparked immediate backlash from the competitive community.

Benjyfishy’s analysis revealed a troubling pattern: “2021 features the fewest tournaments we’ve ever had with the smallest prize pools,” he tweeted, adding that the game’s enjoyment factor had reached historic lows. His concerns were echoed by multiple top-tier competitors.

Pro Player Reactions

The NRG star’s critique extended to Epic’s prize distribution strategy. “Every time they reduce Cash Cup prizes, we hope the funds get redirected to FNCS, but that never happens,” benjyfishy explained, highlighting systemic issues with the competitive ecosystem.

least amount of tournaments we have ever had with the least amount of money, with the game being the least fun as i can remember 😢

— benjyfishy (@benjyfishy) January 10, 2021

Benjyfishy’s second Twitter thread painted a bleak picture of competitive Fortnite’s future. He noted the disappearance of motivations that once drove players to grind the game, citing both reduced financial rewards and diminished enjoyment as key factors.

Community Backlash

Jaden ‘Wolfiez’ Ashman’s sarcastic tweet encapsulated the community’s frustration: “Fortnite Competitive Prizepools: 2019: $30 million, 2020: $3 million, 2021: Shoutouts.” This referenced Epic’s “Friday Nite Bragging Rights” tournament where winners received social media recognition rather than cash prizes.

Fortnite Competitive Prizepools
2019: $30 million
2020: $3 million
2021: Shoutouts

— wolfiez (@Wolfiez) January 6, 2021

Other prominent voices like Ryan ‘Chap’ Chaplo and Leon ‘Khanada’ Khim joined the criticism. Khanada’s expletive-laden reaction to an 80% prize reduction—”600 for first? How does it go from 3k to 600?”—highlighted the severity of the cuts.

Potential Solutions

Amid the criticism, FaZe Clan’s Nate Hill proposed a constructive solution: allocating a percentage of Battle Pass revenue to tournament prize pools. With Battle Pass sales generating hundreds of millions annually, even a small percentage could significantly boost competitive payouts.

Hey @FortniteGame if you crowd funded a small % from every battle pass to the Prize pool, we could have real tourneys that people are interested in watching. No one cares who got first place in a vbucks tourney. Dota 2 – 34million. Fortnite – box of cupcakes.

— Nate Hill (@NateHillTV) January 10, 2021

This model, similar to Dota 2’s International Championship funding, could create sustainable prize pools while maintaining Epic’s profitability. The suggestion has gained traction among both players and fans as a potential middle ground.

Future Outlook

As of January 2021, Epic Games had not responded to the growing discontent. The developer’s silence following the January 6 Bragging Rights announcement has left the competitive community in limbo.

Professional players warn that without course correction, Fortnite’s competitive ecosystem risks losing both established stars and up-and-coming talent. As benjyfishy cautioned, “The comp scene will slowly start dying out if this continues,” emphasizing how shrinking rewards discourage new players from pursuing competitive careers.

The coming months will prove crucial for Fortnite esports, as Epic faces mounting pressure to balance business priorities with competitive integrity. Whether the developer addresses these concerns may determine the long-term viability of professional Fortnite.

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