Fortnite’s New Season Kicks Off With Bot-Infested Lobbies
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4 launched this week, introducing new loot pools and gameplay mechanics to the battle royale. However, players may find achieving Victory Royale more accessible than before—not due to skill-based improvements, but through a significant shift in match composition.
Discord users and data analysts discovered that Epic Games has substantially increased the number of bot players in Battle Royale matches compared to previous seasons. The change is dramatic: earlier seasons featured between 58 and 65 human players per match, but Chapter 7 Season 4 now includes only approximately 25 real players. This represents a major decrease in human player density and a corresponding increase in AI opponents.
Epic Games has historically used bots in Fortnite to improve new player experiences and adjust match difficulty. A 2019 blog post from the company outlined the studio’s approach to bot integration, though the current update marks a notably aggressive expansion of their presence in matches.
The substantial increase in bots raises questions about game balance and the overall player experience. While easier matchmaking might help less experienced players secure wins, veteran players may find matches less competitive and engaging. The change affects Fortnite across all platforms, from PC and consoles to mobile and cloud services.