Epic Games dropped the hammer on thousands of Fortnite players this weekend, issuing mass bans after the launch of Delulu mode sparked a wave of toxic behavior and harassment that caught the gaming community off guard.
The new proximity voice chat feature, which allows players to communicate with anyone nearby regardless of team status, quickly became a breeding ground for discrimination and abuse when it opened to the general public on Friday, September 20, 2025.
What Is Fortnite Delulu Mode
Delulu represents a fresh take on Fortnite’s traditional battle royale formula. Players spawn across the map and can form temporary alliances with anyone they encounter through proximity voice chat. The mode peaked at over 126,000 concurrent players during its launch weekend, making it one of the most popular limited-time modes in recent memory.
Unlike standard Fortnite modes where communication is limited to pre-formed squads, Delulu lets strangers strategize, negotiate, and inevitably betray each other – all while talking in real-time. The social experiment aspect initially showed promise when content creators tested the mode with positive results.
The Dark Side of Open Communication
What started as an innovative social gaming experience quickly turned problematic when the mode went public. Players flooded Reddit and social media with reports of harassment, discrimination, and hate speech targeting individuals based on gender, age, accent, and other personal characteristics.
Women players particularly faced sexist comments and unwanted attention, while younger players and those with non-English accents became frequent targets of bullying. The anonymity and temporary nature of interactions seemed to embolden toxic behavior among some participants.
| Type of Abuse | Target Demographics | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Sexist Comments | Female Players | High |
| Age-Based Harassment | Younger Players | Moderate |
| Accent Discrimination | Non-Native English Speakers | Moderate |
| Racial Slurs | Various Demographics | Reported |
Epic’s Lightning-Fast Response
Epic Games didn’t wait long to take action. By Sunday, September 22, the company announced through its official Fortnite Status account that thousands of players had already been banned for violating community guidelines in voice chat.
The developer emphasized the importance of player reporting, providing clear instructions on how to report toxic behavior through the game’s built-in system. Players can access the report function through the sidebar’s Voice Chat tab, select ‘Report Conversation,’ and submit evidence directly to Epic’s moderation team.
This mass ban wave represents one of the largest single enforcement actions Epic has taken in recent years, demonstrating the company’s commitment to maintaining a safe gaming environment despite the challenges posed by open voice communication.
Community Reaction and Mixed Experiences
The gaming community’s response to Delulu mode has been sharply divided. While some players praised the innovative social mechanics and shared positive stories of cooperation and friendship, others called the mode “a mistake” and questioned whether proximity voice chat was worth the harassment problems it created.
Content creators who initially championed the mode during its limited testing phase expressed disappointment at how quickly it devolved when opened to the broader player base. Many noted the stark contrast between creator-only sessions and public access experiences.
Epic’s Broader Anti-Cheat Efforts
This weekend’s ban wave continues Epic’s aggressive stance against rule violations in Fortnite. Throughout 2025, the company has pursued legal action against cheaters, implemented stricter tournament penalties, and even required public apologies from some violators before issuing permanent bans.
Earlier this year, Epic announced changes to its ban policy, offering second chances to some long-term banned players while implementing a one-year ban system for first-time cheating offenses. However, harassment and hate speech violations appear to receive immediate and permanent consequences.
What’s Next for Delulu Mode
Despite the controversy, Delulu mode remains available during weekends, with the next session scheduled from Friday, September 26 to Monday, September 29. Epic has indicated that moderation efforts will continue to be “faster and stricter” to catch troublemakers before they can cause significant harm.
The company is likely evaluating whether additional safeguards, such as improved filtering systems or reputation-based matchmaking, could help preserve the mode’s innovative social aspects while minimizing abuse potential.
FAQs
How many players did Epic ban for Delulu mode violations?
Epic Games confirmed that “thousands” of players were banned over the launch weekend, though exact numbers haven’t been disclosed.
What behavior led to bans in Delulu mode?
Players were banned for harassment, discrimination, hate speech, sexist comments, and other violations of Fortnite’s community guidelines during voice chat.
How do I report toxic behavior in Delulu mode?
Open the sidebar, go to the Voice Chat tab, choose ‘Report Conversation,’ and hit ‘Submit’ on the next screen to send evidence to Epic’s moderation team.
Is Delulu mode permanently available?
No, Delulu mode is currently only available during weekends as a limited-time mode.
Will banned players get their accounts back?
Bans for harassment and hate speech typically result in permanent account restrictions, unlike cheating bans which Epic has recently made more forgiving.
Why did Epic create proximity voice chat if it causes problems?
The feature was designed to enhance social interaction and create unique gameplay experiences, but Epic underestimated how toxic behavior would scale with public access.
Conclusion
The Delulu mode launch weekend serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing game developers when implementing open communication features. While Epic’s swift response with thousands of bans demonstrates commitment to player safety, the incident raises questions about whether innovative social gaming mechanics can coexist with the realities of online toxicity. As Fortnite continues to evolve, the balance between creative gameplay and community safety will likely remain a central challenge for Epic Games.