Fortnite fans believe the number of cheaters has increased significantly during the game’s recent season of The Simpsons, but the situation is a bit more complex than it seems. Players claim their opponents knew their location even when they were halfway across the map, or that they were one-shotted by Marge Simpson. Users who can’t explain how they died believe the problem isn’t simply lag or skill differences, but rather hackers. Platforms like TikTok and Reddit are filled with thousands of videos claiming cheaters are ruining the game.
Epic Games explains: Fortnite players may be mistaken about cheating
An Epic Games spokesperson told Polygon that this common perception among players is false. The company emphasized that cheating rates haven’t increased in the past few months, but rather that cheating rates have decreased during The Simpsons season compared to previous seasons. Epic Games states that it is constantly developing new detection methods for rule violations on the platform and regularly reviews accusations on social media. So why do players feel the opposite when the data shows a decrease?
There are several different reasons behind this situation. First of all, the game’s current Springfield map is set in a much smaller area than Fortnite’s standard map. While the lobby is limited to 80 players this season instead of 100, the small space significantly increases the frequency of encounters and clashes between players. While you could normally progress through the game without seeing anyone, now it’s easy to find yourself in the middle of a firefight the moment you land on the map.
The Simpsons theme has also brought significant mainstream appeal to the game, reaching an instant player count of 2.6 million. This allows players new to the game or returning after a long hiatus to face highly experienced and “ambitious” opponents. Fortnite’s cross-platform support, which allows console players to be matched with PC players who have an advantage, further exacerbates this challenge. Many players consider this season to be one of the most challenging periods in the game’s history.
Another factor affecting player perception is the spread of misinformation. In April 2025, Epic Games updated its disciplinary rules, reducing the first cheating penalty to a one-year ban and the second penalty to a lifetime ban. While this policy change may create the false impression that cheaters are being pardoned, internal company data shows that players who return after serving their suspensions generally don’t repeat the offense. For example, content creator FaZe Jarvis, who served a six-year ban for cheating, was able to return to the game after completing his suspension.
Cheaters do exist in Fortnite, as in every popular shooter game, but some cases stem from technical glitches. A recently fixed bug caused players reanimated in The Simpsons’s couch to become immortal. Furthermore, balance issues introduced by new weapons like Moe’s Five Gun and Krusty’s Blaster can lead players to feel unfairly killed. While Epic Games has addressed this issue by suing cheaters and issuing apologies, the reason you died immediately after landing in Springfield is likely due to the game’s current dynamics, not the cheating software.
What are your thoughts on the competitiveness of The Simpsons’ season? Did you actually feel the cheaters increased, or was the game harder this season?
