Fortnite, the popular battle royale game developed by Epic Games, has undergone numerous changes since its release in 2017. One of the most significant aspects of the game’s evolution is the vaulting of items, which has been a topic of interest among players and fans alike. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Fortnite’s vault, exploring what’s been removed, why, and how it has impacted the game.
Understanding the Vault
The vault is a concept in Fortnite where items, including weapons, skins, and other cosmetic items, are removed from the game’s rotation. This can be due to various reasons, such as balancing issues, overpowered items, or simply to make way for new content. The vault is not a physical location in the game but rather a metaphorical space where items are stored until they are either unvaulted or permanently removed.
Why Do Items Get Vaulted?
Items get vaulted for several reasons, including:
- Balance issues: When an item becomes too powerful or overpowered, it can disrupt the game’s balance, making it unfair for other players. Vaulting such items helps maintain a level playing field.
- Overuse: If an item is used too frequently, it can become repetitive and boring. Vaulting it allows for other items to shine and creates a more diverse gameplay experience.
- New content: With new seasons and updates, Epic Games introduces fresh items to keep the game exciting. Vaulting older items makes room for these new additions.
- Thematic consistency: Fortnite’s seasons and events often have unique themes. Vaulting items that don’t fit the current theme helps maintain a cohesive atmosphere.
Weapons and Items That Have Been Vaulted
Over the years, numerous weapons and items have been vaulted in Fortnite. Here are some notable examples:
- Infinity Blade: This powerful sword was vaulted in 2018 due to its overpowered nature, which made it difficult for players to counter.
- SCAR: The SCAR assault rifle was vaulted in 2019 to make way for other, more balanced rifles.
- Drum Gun: This shotgun was vaulted in 2019 due to its high damage output and ease of use.
- Quad Launcher: This explosive launcher was vaulted in 2020 due to its ability to deal massive damage to structures and players.
- Chug Jug: This health-restoring item was vaulted in 2020 to balance out the game’s healing mechanics.
Other Notable Vaulted Items
In addition to weapons, other items have been vaulted, including:
- Gliders: Several gliders, such as the “Widow’s Web” and “Black Widow,” have been vaulted due to their overpowered nature or to make way for new gliders.
- Emotes: Some emotes, like the “Floss” and “Disco,” have been vaulted to maintain a fresh and diverse set of emotes.
- Skins: Certain skins, such as the “Renegade Raider” and “Black Knight,” have been vaulted due to their rarity or to make way for new skins.
The Impact of Vaulting on the Game
Vaulting items has a significant impact on Fortnite’s gameplay and community. Here are some effects of vaulting:
- Gameplay balance: Vaulting overpowered items helps maintain a balanced gameplay experience, ensuring that no single item dominates the game.
- Item diversity: By vaulting items, Epic Games encourages players to try new items and strategies, promoting a more diverse gameplay experience.
- Community engagement: Vaulting items can create a sense of excitement and anticipation among players, as they speculate about what will be unvaulted or introduced next.
- Monetization: Vaulting items can also impact the game’s monetization, as players may be more likely to purchase items that are rare or hard to obtain.
The Unvaulting Process
While items can be permanently removed from the game, some are unvaulted, returning to the game’s rotation. The unvaulting process is often tied to special events, seasons, or updates. Epic Games may choose to unvault items for various reasons, such as:
- Community demand: If players consistently request the return of a vaulted item, Epic Games may unvault it to satisfy the community.
- Thematic relevance: Items may be unvaulted to fit a specific theme or event, such as a holiday-themed item returning during a holiday event.
- Gameplay balance: Epic Games may unvault an item to balance out the game’s meta, introducing a new counter to a dominant strategy.
Conclusion
The vault is an integral part of Fortnite’s evolution, allowing Epic Games to balance gameplay, introduce new content, and maintain a fresh experience. By understanding what’s been vaulted and why, players can appreciate the game’s development and the thought process behind these decisions. As Fortnite continues to grow and change, the vault will remain a crucial aspect of the game’s design, shaping the gameplay experience for millions of players worldwide.
What’s Next for the Vault?
As Fortnite’s seasons and updates continue to roll out, it’s likely that more items will be vaulted and unvaulted. Players can expect to see new items introduced, old favorites return, and the game’s balance shift in response to community feedback and gameplay trends. One thing is certain – the vault will remain a vital part of Fortnite’s ever-changing landscape, keeping the game exciting and unpredictable for players of all levels.
What is the concept of the “Vault” in Fortnite, and how does it impact gameplay?
The “Vault” in Fortnite refers to a virtual storage space where Epic Games, the game’s developer, stores items, weapons, and other content that have been removed from the game’s active rotation. This concept allows the developers to manage the game’s balance, make way for new content, and create a sense of scarcity and exclusivity around certain items. By removing items from the game, Epic Games can encourage players to adapt to new strategies and playstyles, keeping the game fresh and exciting.
The Vault’s impact on gameplay is significant, as it can affect the meta, or the current trends and strategies, of the game. When popular items are vaulted, players must adjust their tactics and find new ways to compete. This can lead to a shift in the game’s balance, making some playstyles more viable than others. Additionally, the Vault creates a sense of nostalgia and exclusivity around vaulted items, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
What types of items are typically removed from Fortnite and placed in the Vault?
Epic Games removes a wide range of items from Fortnite, including weapons, skins, emotes, and other cosmetic items. These items can be removed for various reasons, such as to balance the game, make way for new content, or to create a sense of scarcity and exclusivity. Some items, like limited-time event rewards or seasonal exclusives, are intentionally designed to be removed after a certain period. Other items, like overpowered weapons or unbalanced gameplay mechanics, may be removed to maintain the game’s balance and fairness.
In addition to individual items, Epic Games also removes entire game modes, playlists, and features from Fortnite. These removals can be temporary or permanent, depending on the developer’s goals and the community’s feedback. By removing and adding content regularly, Epic Games keeps Fortnite fresh and exciting, with a constant stream of new experiences and challenges for players to enjoy.
How does Epic Games decide which items to remove from Fortnite and place in the Vault?
Epic Games uses a combination of data analysis, community feedback, and game balance considerations to decide which items to remove from Fortnite. The developer closely monitors player behavior, game statistics, and community sentiment to identify items that are overpowered, underused, or no longer contribute to the game’s overall balance and fun. Epic Games also considers the game’s meta and how removing certain items will impact the current trends and strategies.
Additionally, Epic Games takes into account the community’s feedback and suggestions, which can be submitted through various channels, such as social media, forums, and in-game surveys. The developer may also remove items to make way for new content, create a sense of scarcity and exclusivity, or to celebrate special events and milestones. Ultimately, the decision to remove an item from Fortnite is based on a careful evaluation of its impact on the game’s overall health and player experience.
Can players still access and use items that have been removed from Fortnite and placed in the Vault?
Once an item is removed from Fortnite and placed in the Vault, it is no longer available for purchase or acquisition through normal means. However, players who already own the item can continue to use it, and it will remain in their inventory. In some cases, Epic Games may re-release vaulted items as part of special events, limited-time game modes, or exclusive rewards.
Players can also access vaulted items through creative modes, such as Creative and Playground, where they can build and play with friends using a wide range of items, including those that are no longer available in the main game. Additionally, some vaulted items may be available through third-party marketplaces or trading platforms, but players should exercise caution when using these services to avoid scams and ensure they are complying with Epic Games’ terms of service.
How often does Epic Games update the Vault, and what can players expect from these updates?
Epic Games regularly updates the Vault, removing and adding new items, game modes, and features to Fortnite. These updates can occur at any time, but they often coincide with major game updates, seasonal changes, or special events. Players can expect the Vault to be updated every few weeks, with some updates being more significant than others.
When the Vault is updated, players can expect to see new items and game modes added to the game, while others are removed. Epic Games often provides advance notice of upcoming updates through social media, blog posts, and in-game notifications, giving players a chance to prepare and adjust to the changes. Players can also expect the developer to provide explanations and justifications for the changes, as well as insights into the game’s balance and design decisions.
What is the significance of the Vault in Fortnite’s esports and competitive scene?
The Vault plays a crucial role in Fortnite’s esports and competitive scene, as it can significantly impact the game’s balance and meta. When popular items are vaulted, professional players and teams must adapt their strategies and playstyles, which can lead to a shift in the competitive landscape. The Vault also creates a sense of unpredictability and excitement, as players must be prepared to adjust to new items and game modes.
The Vault also affects the game’s competitive balance, as some items may be more powerful or desirable than others. Epic Games works closely with the competitive community to ensure that the game remains balanced and fair, and that the Vault is updated in a way that promotes healthy competition and sportsmanship. By regularly updating the Vault, Epic Games keeps the competitive scene fresh and exciting, with new challenges and opportunities for players to showcase their skills.
Can players expect to see vaulted items return to Fortnite in the future?
Yes, players can expect to see vaulted items return to Fortnite in the future. Epic Games has a history of re-releasing vaulted items as part of special events, limited-time game modes, or exclusive rewards. These re-releases can be a great way for players to acquire items they missed out on initially or to experience nostalgic gameplay moments.
Additionally, Epic Games may choose to unvault items as part of a larger game update or balance change. This can happen when the developer feels that an item is no longer overpowered or that the game’s balance has shifted in a way that makes the item viable again. Players can stay up-to-date with the latest news and announcements from Epic Games to find out when vaulted items might return to the game.