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Are There Fake People in Fortnite? Unmasking Bots and Understanding the Player Ecosystem

Yes, there are indeed “fake people” in Fortnite, but they aren’t malicious actors trying to deceive you. They are bots, AI-controlled characters designed to populate matches, particularly in lower-skill lobbies. These bots play a crucial role in the Fortnite ecosystem, ensuring a smoother gameplay experience for new and developing players. Understanding their presence and purpose can significantly enhance your enjoyment and strategy in the game.

Understanding the Role of Bots in Fortnite

Why Are Bots in the Game?

Bots were introduced in Fortnite during Chapter 2 Season 1 as a key part of an initiative to help novice players improve their skills without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of immediately throwing new players into matches with highly skilled veterans, the game populates lobbies with bots. This allows newcomers to get a feel for the game mechanics, practice aiming, building, and engaging in combat in a more forgiving environment.

Additionally, bots help to fill up matches, ensuring shorter wait times for players. This is especially useful in less populated regions or during off-peak hours, where finding a full lobby of human players might be difficult. They also serve as practice targets for more skilled players, offering a less pressured environment to hone their skills.

How Do Bots Behave?

While bots are programmed to emulate human player behaviors, they have several telltale characteristics that set them apart. They can:

Build simple structures: Bots can build basic walls and ramps, although not with the same strategic complexity as human players.
Shoot weapons: They can fire various weapons, but often with less accuracy and precision than human opponents.
Drive vehicles: They can operate vehicles, though their driving can sometimes be erratic or aimless.
Exhibit repetitive movements: Bots often display repetitive actions such as jumping or aimlessly running around.
Shoot randomly and through objects: A common giveaway is when bots shoot randomly or through objects like walls.
Follow predictable patterns: Bots tend to follow predictable movement patterns and behaviors, making them easier to anticipate and eliminate.
Avoid landing on top of buildings: Bots will instead circle around the house or stay at one spot nearby. They would never land on top of a building. They may be found circling houses where real players are hiding.

These behaviors are clear indicators that you’re encountering an AI opponent.

The Bot Ratio

The proportion of bots to real players in a match varies depending on the skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) system. The lower your skill level, the higher the number of bots you’ll encounter. In some cases, you may find that up to 75 out of 100 players in a lobby can be bots. When you first start the game, you will face a full lobby of bots. While this varies by season, recent data suggests that lobbies can have the following ratios:

Tier 1 (Lower Skill): Approximately 75 bots and 25 real players
Tier 2 (Mid Skill): Around 30 bots and 70 real players
Tier 3 (Higher Skill): Roughly 20 bots and 80 real players

This system ensures that players are consistently challenged but not overwhelmed by opponents far outside their skill range.

Navigating the Bot Landscape

How to Spot a Bot Quickly

One reliable trick to identify bots is to stay on the Battle Bus and float down without deploying your glider. Often, bots and players who are away from keyboard will follow you down. This can be an easy way to find and eliminate a bot early in the game, allowing you to collect quick loot and level up your skills.

Can You Eliminate Bots?

Yes, bots can be eliminated just like human players. They do drop loot when eliminated, making them a convenient source of resources, ammunition, and materials.

Why Do Bot Lobbies Exist?

Bot lobbies exist for a variety of reasons, and they are very useful for testing updates:

Training: To help new players learn the game mechanics.
Filling Lobbies: To ensure shorter wait times for matches.
Testing Updates: To test out new items and updates before they get added into the game fully.

The Upside of Bots

Even though they’re not human, bots serve as an important tool:

Practice: Bots offer the perfect opportunity to practice your shooting and building skills.
Confidence Building: They help new players gain confidence and not get discouraged by highly skilled players.
Resource Farming: Bots can be an easy source of ammunition and loot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Bots in Fortnite

1. Are all Fortnite players real?

No, not all players in Fortnite are real. While the majority of players you encounter are human, many are bots, especially in lower-level matches. The number of bots decreases as your skill level increases.

2. Can bots build in Fortnite?

Yes, bots can build in Fortnite, but their building is typically basic and not as strategic as human players. They can construct walls and ramps but don’t usually perform complex building techniques.

3. How do I get bot lobbies in Fortnite OG?

Bot lobbies are generally more frequent for new players or those with lower skill rankings. The game will automatically place you in bot-heavy lobbies when your skill level is low. As you improve, you’ll be matched with more skilled human players. There is not a way to purposely get bot lobbies without purposely trying to be in the lower skill tiers.

4. Why is Fortnite so easy now?

Fortnite isn’t necessarily “easy,” but the inclusion of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) often leads to new or low-skill players being matched against a higher proportion of bots. The game puts you with more bots the lower your skill level is. This is designed to ensure that you can enjoy the game without being overwhelmed. As you improve, you’ll see fewer bots in your matches.

5. What is SBMM in Fortnite?

Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM) is a mechanic in Fortnite that matches you with players of a similar skill level. SBMM was first introduced in the Arena mode before being extended to core playlists in Season X. While it may sometimes feel like SBMM results in unbalanced matches, it aims to provide more fair and challenging gameplay overall.

6. Can you turn off bots in Fortnite?

No, you cannot turn off bots in Fortnite. They are an integral part of the game’s design. The best way to encounter fewer bots is to improve your skills and rank up, which will gradually place you in matches with more human opponents. There is no setting to turn them off in game.

7. Is my first Fortnite game against bots?

Yes, your very first game in Fortnite is always against bots. This is a way for new players to get acclimated to the game mechanics and controls without facing tough competition. This first match will also have a full lobby of bots, not just a high proportion.

8. What are the player ranks in Fortnite?

Fortnite ranks players across several tiers, from Bronze to Unreal. The ranks are:

Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Elite, Champion, and Unreal.
Bronze through Diamond have three ranks, while Elite, Champion, and Unreal each have one.

You progress through these ranks by winning matches, eliminating players, and performing other in-game activities.

9. How do I hire AI in Fortnite?

You can hire AI characters in Fortnite by finding hireable NPCs scattered across the map. Once you’ve found one, speak to them, and spend gold bars to hire them. Once hired, they become part of your team and will assist you in combat.

10. Is Fortnite hard to play?

Fortnite has a learning curve, but whether it’s considered “hard” is subjective. The skill-based matchmaking system ensures you play against players of similar skill. More experienced players often find Fortnite a tough game to compete in, while new players are provided a more forgiving experience by being matched with bots.

11. Why is Fortnite so laggy?

Fortnite can sometimes be laggy due to several reasons including:

Outdated drivers. Make sure your drivers are always up to date.
Background applications. Having too many background applications open can lead to slowdown.
ISP Throttling. If your internet service provider is throttling you connection, this can also be a factor.

12. Is Fortnite okay for young children?

Common Sense Media recommends Fortnite for teens 13 and up due to its action violence and open chat features. While the game is very popular with younger audiences, parents are advised to monitor their children’s gameplay, especially those under 14. The game provides opportunity to build many important skills, when played in moderation.

13. How does Fortnite use bot lobbies for updates?

Fortnite uses bot lobbies to test new items and updates before implementing them into the main game. This testing environment allows developers to see how new features perform in a controlled setting before pushing them out to the larger player base.

14. Can bots shoot through objects?

Yes, a notable characteristic of Fortnite bots is that they often shoot through objects, such as walls and other structures. This is one of the telltale signs that you’re encountering a bot.

15. Does Fortnite always have 100 players?

Yes, Fortnite games are designed to have a maximum of 100 players. This includes both real human players and bots. The ratio of bots to human players will fluctuate, depending on the skill of those in the game.

In conclusion, while it might initially feel like there are “fake people” in Fortnite, these bots are designed to be a positive addition to the gameplay experience. By recognizing their behaviors and understanding their purpose, players can gain a competitive advantage and better enjoy the overall Fortnite experience.

Are there fake people in Fortnite?