Fortnite C7 Needed an FNCS

The biggest tournament series in Fortnite is the FNCS, or the Fortnite Champion Series. It has run in one form or another in most Fortnite seasons since Chapter 2, but it’s taking an extended break. The lack of a Fortnite C7 S1 FNCS might be part of why this season feels a little off.

The current Fortnite meta has been a bit controversial. From the quick killing guns to removing shockwaves, which has been incredibly divisive. Although, the core meta of the guns is quite stripped back. It’s a meta which would have made sense for esports. in a season where we’re seeing the FNCS continue its break, and a lot of fans have had to temporarily move on from Fortnite esports.

There are still some tournaments right now, but it’s marking one of the longer FNCS breaks we’ve had. A Fortnite C7 S1 FNCS could have been the missing piece for this season.

The FNCS is on an Extended Break

The FNCS began after COVID prevented the World Cup making a comeback, but it became a mainstay. Sticking around throughout with different events across Chapter 2. Including starting to build towards LANs. More recently, they’ve switched to a different format with a yearly circuit.

Just like we get yearly Chapters, the FNCS runs once per year too. Where each Major moves us closer to an end of year LAN. this year is seeing the biggest expansion for Fortnite esports with LANs, but it’s also meant no C7 S1 FNCS.

The current season isn’t getting an FNCS, and the last mini season didn’t either. The last mini seasons have always been an off period. With the break extending over Christmas before the new year starts the FNCS. However, this year it’s skipping a season.

Instead, the Fortnite C7 S1 esports are focusing on other tournaments. And its absence has been felt. A lot of the smaller Fortnite tournaments just aren’t the same kind of draw. Especially since they’re in formats which just aren’t as much fun for viewers to follow along with. A Fortnite C7 S1 FNCS wouldn’t have the same problems.

C7 S1 is Focusing on Other Tournaments

The current Fortnite season has a few regular events running, even if there’s no C7 S1 FNCS.

Part of this is the Reload Elite Series. That’s a new circuit, part of the expansion of Fortnite esports this year. Both Reload and Bltiz are getting tournaments, with Blitz focused on Mobile. Reload’s series will build over this season with a conclusion at the Esports World Cup. It’s this that has kept a lot of players busy this season. With regular sessions until the season ends, then a break until May.

Choosing to run a whole season with a focus on Reload has made the current BR season seem, lesser. There’s no need to really get concerned about the current Fortnite meta since there’s no major tournaments happening. There are some smaller ones though.

We have performance evals coming up, Ranked Cups, the Solo Series, and smaller ones like Victory Cups. These are formats which don’t have finals of a condensed lobby. While it’s fun to watch them, it’s often one pro team dominating lobbies of up and comers. Not really as exciting the best Fortnite players going head-to-head. Like we’d get in the C7 S1 FNCS.

The big tournament is just not happening in BR, and Fortnite esports hasn’t really had a tournament that works as a spectator sport since the Global Championship. It has made Chapter 7, so far, feel like its meta doesn’t matter. Like the Star Wars mini season earlier, it feels like esports just isn’t happening right now.

No C7 S1 FNCS is Making Competitive Boring

Not having an FNCS is definitely hurting the current season. There’s no reason to check in and see what new strategies pros have found, what the optimal loadout is in those lobbies is. Ranked had already stopped being a motivator for most players, as its player count got so low no one wanted to join the games anymore. It’s meant there isn’t really a level beyond pubs for Battle Royale right now.

It’s all made the current season feel like a bit of a competitive afterthought. Which is a shame coming off a very exciting year for the FNCS. C7 S1’s length means we won’t have a major tournament for quite a while, and it’s to the detriment of what could have been a decent enough pro season. While no shockwaves is frustrating in pubs, tournaments have always had a different loot pool. It would have been fun to see what pros made of things like the Wingsuit in stacked FNCS lobbies.