Fortnite enforces lifetime ban of cheating player despite tearful apology

'We have a zero tolerance policy for the usage of cheat software,' says Epic Games

Anthony Cuthbertson
Tuesday 05 November 2019 14:36 GMT
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Epic permanently bans FaZe Jarvis from Fortnite for cheating

Fortnite developer Epic Games has stood by its decision to permanently ban a player for cheating in the video game.

Jarvis Kaye, 17, released an emotional video apologising for using the aimbot software when playing the game, which makes it easier to shoot and kill opponents without taking careful aim.

The member of eSports team FaZe Clan broke down in tears as he explained to his two milliion YouTube subscribers that he would no longer be able to play Fortnite or create Fortnite-related content for his channel.

He also asked Epic Games to reconsider the ban, saying: "I'm not trying to find a quick road out but being banned forever is just – a lifetime ban – is just, I just didn't know this would happen."

In a statement to The Independent, Epic Games acknowledged Mr Jarvis's video but said it had a zero tolerance policy towards cheaters.

A spokesperson said: "We have a zero tolerance policy for the usage of cheat software.

"When people use aimbots or other cheat technologies to gain an unfair advantage, they ruin games for people who are playing fairly."

Mr Jarvis claimed that he only used the cheats in order to demonstrate them to his viewers and not to gain a competitive advantage in tournament matches.

"All I was thinking about whilst I was making those videos was just how entertaining and like interesting these videos would be for you guys to watch," he said in his apology video, which has since been viewed more than 4 million times.

Fortnite banned professional gamer and popular YouTuber Jarvis Kaye for uploading videos featuring an aimbot cheat

"It didn't even cross my mind to think that I could be banned for life from Fortnite from those videos. I just want to be clear, this is my first time I have ever done anything like this.

"At the time I posted those videos, I was completely oblivious to what could happen to me."

Fans of Mr Kaye shared the #FreeJarvis hashtag across social media in an attempt to get his account reinstated, however some fellow Fortnite pros have criticised the campaign.

Benjamin 'Dr Lupo' Lupo said in an online chat with Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins that he believed the ban was justified.

The nature of the ban means Mr Kaye is not simply able to create a new Fortnite account, as it encompasses his network connection and the hardware upon which he plays.

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