Controller pros are dominating PC Fortnite thanks to “overpowered” aim assist

Enlarge / This new concept art for an Xbox controller with built-in sniper-style targeting sight won't really help matters... (credit: Aurich Lawson / Microsoft / Epic)

Shooter developers have long struggled to balance competitive online games between players using a handheld controller and those using a mouse-and-keyboard setup. Fortnite is no exception, and developer Epic has a long history of trying to deal with the issue.

Lately, Epic has been tweaking the balance of the "aim assist" that helps players using analog sticks target opponents with something like the precision and speed of a mouse (which gets no targeting assistance from the game). Now, though, top-level PC Fortnite players are increasingly complaining about aim assist that's too good, putting keyboard-and-mouse players at a disadvantage against those who plug a controller into their PC.

The situation has gotten so bad that ultra-popular streamer Tyler "Ninja" Blevins, who made a name for himself playing Fortnite, said during a recent League of Legends stream, "I haven't legitimately played Fortnite in a long time. Right now it's just not in a healthy state on PC... I just want that controller aim assist on PC balanced."

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