ESTNN discusses the possible return of Fortnite LAN competitions in 2022.
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our planet over the last two years. Millions have fallen victim to the virus since it became a threat in late-2019. As a result, parts of the world effectively went on hold. Residents of many countries took part in lockdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the interest of protecting the vast majority.
People weren’t the only ones to forego normalcy; sporting events, conferences, concerts, and really any large-scale gathering simply could not occur—mask or no mask. Unfortunately, gaming LANs and conventions fell under this category. Neither could happen without potentially receiving the “super spreader” label.
Thankfully, the world is in a much more favorable position some two years later. LANs are beginning to return, and even fan-favorite gaming conventions like TwitchCon. This exciting development could open the door for more opportunities, including some for competitive Fortnite Battle Royale.
TwitchCon Returns In-Person this July
Mark your calendars. Next year’s about to be extra pog.
🇳🇱 TwitchCon Amsterdam: July 2022
🇺🇸 TwitchCon San Diego: October 2022Read more: https://t.co/1yy3uQ1bg7 pic.twitter.com/Scvqe7bt7z
— TwitchCon (@TwitchCon) September 22, 2021
The Amazon-owner Twitch streaming platform is home to many of the world’s most popular creators. In what seems like a previous life, Twitch would host TwitchCon—a convention where streamers and fans would gather every year. The last TwitchCon event occurred in 2019, housing 28,000 attendees during a September weekend. Another would have taken place in 2020 if not for COVID-19.
After a two-year hiatus, Twitch announced the return of TwitchCon beginning this summer. The first of two planned conventions will happen in Amsterdam this July, while the other is a traditional San Diego event in October. It’s impossible to project where the world will be pandemic-wise around that time. However, vaccinations are rising, and infections are slowly becoming less concerning.
What is TwitchCon?
Image via Twitch
These factors likely contributed to Twitch’s decision to green-light the convention’s long-awaited return. So, you might be wondering, what is TwitchCon? The event is an opportunity for fans to meet creators, attend panels, cosplay and witness entertainment. We’ve seen competitive gaming events in the past as well—a few that stick out include various Fortnite events.
Fortnite LANs: Could They Return this Summer?
Image via Getty Images
Fortnite LAN events have been primarily on hold since early 2020. The game’s developer — Epic Games — could not consciously allow competitors of all ages to journey across the globe, considering the pandemic. That meant players relied on the seasonal Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) for their high-stakes tournament fix.
The game has evolved immensely since the last sizable LAN event, DreamHack Anaheim 2020. DreamHack did hold a recent offline tournament, but it was relatively low-key compared to others. Twitch hosted the Streamer Bowl event, where streamers, NFL stars, and community champions combined for a $1M USD charity competition.
Considering Twitch’s involvement in the event, it seems plausible to think that TwitchCon could be a prime opportunity for another Fortnite tournament. Epic Games has always said they would evaluate the world’s condition before committing to more in-person gatherings.
With COVID becoming less of a concern, we could see a scenario where TwitchCon Amsterdam
or San Diego could be Fortnite’s time to shine. It could be a Twitch Rivals invitational or a tournament with proper online qualifiers. Either way, TwitchCon is an ideal opportunity for Fortnite to return offline in all its glory.
The decision ultimately lies in the hands of Epic Games. They will need to consider player safety before committing to the next offline tournament. Let’s hope that TwitchCon’s return to in-person conventions and the world’s improving COVID situation is enough.
Stay tuned to ESTNN for more Fortnite news and updates!
