Fortnite Patch Accidentally Destroys Player's Bases

Have you heard of Epic Game's Fortnite? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not going to claim the game has gotten a boatload of media attention, but now that the base-building and swarm-slaying game has hit open beta, both Sony and Microsoft are keen to remind people that it's out. While I thought it looked interesting, right now, the game suffers piddling reviews, sitting at 55% on PC Gamer... and there might be a good reason for such fan animosity.

A recent update in the game, patch 1.4, included within it a change to Storm Shield bases, one of those standard changes that you could come to expect from a constantly-updated game, especially one in early access. The problem, it was soon discovered, that as part of that change, anyone who built such a base on the Plankerton, Canny Valley, or Twine maps would find that all their hard work has been undone and their entire base has been destroyed.

Whoopsie. From the offical forums:

"Ok first we messed up in missing a HUGE part of our patch notes. I apologize. We understand how much time you have invested in building your Storm Shield base, it's your home, your defense, your vision, we feel that way too. We will be dedicated in providing detailed at patch notes going forward... We know that the time it took to create your base can't be replaced, we hope that opportunity to rebuild with all your resources and past experience will allow you to make an even better base. As we move through Early Access we will be modifying the game and making changes to improve the experience, at times this will mean changes that require refunds to core systems like the skill tree, research tree, and storm shields. We are never going to reset your overall progression."

It's worth nothing that while the bases were destroyed, players were still refunded all the materials they spent on them, so they'll be able to build them once more. But that still cost players an investment in time which, by the sounds of things, Epic is aware and apologetic for, but not enough to offer any kind of compensation. For what it's worth, the players seem satisfied with a sincere apology and a promise to be more transparent in the future.

Let's hope that keeps them satisfied moving forward.