Epic Games is taking a firm stand against cheating in its competitive Fortnite tournaments by filing a lawsuit against an accused player. While the lawsuit doesn’t name the individual outright, court filings uncovered by the community point to Sebastian ‘Sabortian’ Araujo, a player with notable recent success in Fortnite competitions. Araujo reportedly earned $1,300 in prize money during September 2024 alone, securing podium finishes in five out of six tournaments that month. His total earnings for the year reportedly amount to $3,900, according to Liquipedia.
In a tweet announcing the lawsuit, Epic Games revealed that the player is accused of using both software and hardware cheats to gain an unfair advantage. Allegations include the use of aimbots and wallhacks, as well as maintaining multiple accounts to avoid detection. These forms of cheating allow players to automatically lock their aim onto opponents or see through walls, disrupting fair play in multiplayer shooters. Epic emphasized its commitment to maintaining a level playing field and reiterated that it will take all necessary steps—including legal action—to combat cheating.
Fortnite has long been a cornerstone of competitive gaming, attracting millions of players and fostering a robust esports ecosystem. Epic Games has consistently worked to enhance the competitive experience, implementing updates like removing vehicles from Ranked mode earlier this year to balance gameplay. The removal of vehicles was met with widespread approval, as they had been dominating matches and skewing the competitive landscape.
This latest lawsuit serves as another reminder of Epic’s dedication to ensuring fairness in its tournaments. By setting a clear precedent with legal action, the developer aims to discourage others from attempting to cheat their way to victory. The community has largely applauded this move, viewing it as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the game.
With Epic Games’ rigorous anti-cheat measures and this high-profile legal action, Fortnite continues to solidify its reputation as a leader in fostering fair competition in the gaming world. As the story unfolds, it’s clear that the company is determined to safeguard the competitive spirit that has made Fortnite a global phenomenon.
