Lately, you might have noticed Fortnite fights are sweatier, build battles are harder, and it isn’t so easy to get a win in Fortnite.
But that’s not just in your head, Epic actually wants it that way, with Fortnite’s matchmaking recently fine-tuned.
For years, most of the Fortnite games were populated by bots. However, as of June 2025, that has all changed, making the game much, much harder in the process.
But why exactly did Epic switch, and more importantly, how can you adjust to continue to win? Let’s take a look.
A Quick History of Bots in Fortnite
To understand where we are, we must first look at where we’ve been.
Epic Games first introduced AI-controlled bots into Fortnite with the launch of Chapter 2, all the way back in October 2019.
The purpose of doing this was twofold:
To help new players find their footing without getting stomped in their first match.
To make sure lobbies filled up quickly across every region and skill level.
For new players, the overwhelming majority of the lobby (up to 75 enemies) would consist of bots. This would provide a gentle learning curve, allowing players to practice building, experiment with a new weapon, and gain confidence before competing against human players.
However, for experienced players, such bot-populated lobbies felt deserted, and a game of 20 kills became monotonous when they knew that most of their enemies couldn't even construct a basic one-wall for protection.
The community was divided as a result of this. While some appreciated the easier path to a win, many players began asking the developers for a more authentic, challenging, and ultimately rewarding experience.
The June 2025 Update Meant Fewer Bots, But More Problems
With a tweak to the game's formula, Epic updated the matchmaking algorithm in the classic Battle Royale mode, limiting the maximum number of bots in a match to 65, down from 75.
On first glance, this might not sound like a massive drop; however, it’s the opposite. It means that every single Battle Royale match now requires at least 35 real players to start.
Fortnite’s Lobby Composition Before vs. After the Change
Here’s how the update shook up low skill lobbies, before and after the update:
Metric | Low-Skill Lobby (Before June 2025) | Low-Skill Lobby (After June 2025) |
|---|---|---|
Maximum Bots | 75 | 65 |
Minimum Real Players | 25 | 35 |
General Difficulty | Lower, predictable early game | Higher, more authentic player encounters |
Path to Victory | Often full of bot eliminations | Demands better skills and strategy |
This change is most noticeable in the standard Battle Royale mode, as well as in both standard and Zero Build game modes. Currently, other modes, such as Team Rumble or community-made maps, remain unaffected, as the focus is on improving the main Fortnite experience to reflect a player's skill better.
The Strategy Behind a Harder Fortnite
So, why would Epic Games intentionally make its globally popular game more difficult, especially for new players? The logic is surprisingly forward-thinking.
The Voice of the Players: The most hardcore players, AKA the ones who buy every Battle Pass and collect rare skins, were growing bored of the easy victories. They wanted the competitiveness of the win and the satisfaction of outplaying a real person. By reducing the bot count, Epic is hoping to challenge its most loyal fanbase with the difficulty they’ve been asking for.
The “Blitz Royale” Effect: Epic often tests new concepts with Limited Time Modes, which featured faster storms and fewer bots, proving there was a huge appetite for more intense, high-action gameplay. Players flocked to these more challenging modes, signaling to the developers that the community was ready for a trickier, more rewarding experience.
Creating a More Rewarding Journey: While a bot-heavy lobby might help a new player get their first win, that victory can feel unearned. By facing real players sooner, new gamers are forced to adapt and improve their skills, such as building, aiming, and rotating at a much faster rate.
What This Means for Your Game
Regardless of whether you are a console gamer on PlayStation or Xbox, a PC player, or a mobile player, this update affects you, and you will need to adjust your strategy accordingly.
For the new player, the learning curve is undoubtedly steeper. Don’t be discouraged, though. Use this as an opportunity to focus on fundamentals, such as practicing your aim and building.
For the casual gamer, your game sense and strategy are more critical than ever. You can no longer rely on running into a handful of easy bot kills to get your loadout. Instead, every encounter matters, so you’ll need to choose your fights, improve your positioning, and work with your squad.
For the aspiring pro, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for, since the training wheels are off. Lobbies are now filled with more players who are there to win, making every match a better and more consistent representation of high-level play that you can learn from.
Your Path to Victory in a Tougher Arena
The new level of competition in Fortnite is definitely more fun, but it also means it’s time to step up, as tougher lobbies require better aim, tighter builds, and generally more skill.
And let’s be real, how you show up matters too. After all, dropping in with a stacked locker full of rare skins and gear doesn’t just look good; it shows players you’re here to compete, and compete with style.
At igitems, we get that your Fortnite identity is part of the experience, which is why we provide Fortnite accounts loaded with these rare outfits, as well as cheap V-Bucks, so you can unlock the season’s best rewards right away, all while saving big in the process!
