The $100k Fortnite Zero Build Tournament disaster from Droptics: explained

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 27/10/2025

Originally advertised as a Fortnite Zero Build tournament, the Droptics Fortnite event has reached a disastrous end. 

Ignoring the pre-defined event game mode specification, tournament organisers made the last-minute decision to transition the competition to build game modes.

The Droptics Fortnite Zero Build Tournament – original vs actual rules and format

Droptics Vision invited 100 creators and professional players to compete for a USD$100,000 (~GBP£75,000) prize pool in Fortnite’s Zero Build game mode. 

The tournament itself was hosted by high-profile streamers IShowSpeed and Jynxsi. Other prominent streamers, creators, and professional Fortnite players also participated, including xQc, Sketch, Mongraal, Benhyfishy, MrSavage, and AngryGinge. 

As host, IShowSpeed also seemed to tease a potential Fortnite collaboration. However, his reputation in the Fortnite community may become a hindrance to any Icon Series goals, thanks to the outcome of this tournament.

Many players who were invited to compete prepared intensively for the tournament. This included practising the selected gamemode and associated skills. 

Zero Build tournament scrims were also held in preparation for the event.

However, as the tournament itself started, the organisers decided to change the selected game mode from Zero Build to Build and OG Build. This immediately rendered all of the competitors’ preparation worthless. 

Participants immediately began speaking out about the unjust change. 

This included the fact that most, if not all, competitors were not informed of the change to the tournament’s format until the event had started. 

Little tournament information was made publicly available. Despite this, competitors who discussed the tournament before it took place announced that three games would be played in the Zero Build game mode for the event. 

Community reactions and Droptics backlash

Competitors and the wider Fortnite community immediately slammed the Droptics Fortnite Zero Build tournament for extreme unprofessionalism.

Alongside the last-minute changes to competition details, which undermine competitive integrity, participants have publicly complained about disruptive ping, stream sniping, cheating, and griefing. 

IShowSpeed and Jynxzi were also heavily criticised for their unprofessional hosting of the event.

Community members are calling for an apology from Droptics. However, no statement was issued in the immediate aftermath of the Fortnite Zero Build Tournament failure. 

Esports News UK has contacted Droptics for comment. They have not responded to the request for comment at the time of publishing.

Overall, the tournament has been called “the most badly ran tournament to date in the Fortnite community.” 

With no statement from tournament organisers, it is unclear whether the blindsided competitors will be compensated for the disastrous event. 

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

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