The major Fortnite competitions of 2020 are still on the horizon. But with the return of Cash Cups, Fortnite developer Epic Games is firing the first shot of the season.
After the end of Chapter 2 Season 1 Grand finals in early December, the Fortnite competitive scene has been fairly quiet. It’s not that the game itself did not lack events to spice up the Battle Royale mode. Still, players with more competitive bent will have had to bunker up, practice hard and wait for the big tournaments. Oh, and enjoy the holidays, I guess. Worry not, esports fans, your plight has not been forgotten! While the major tournaments are still far away and likely won’t come until the next season, Epic Games are bringing back a little something to tide you over. Yes, the Cash Cups are back!
The Hype Nite
The Fortnite Cash Cups format previously involved a lot of rapid-fire, easily accessible small tournaments. This time, it is coming back, but with a spin. There are now three different types of events, each taking place across a three-hour period multiple times during the month. The first – Solo Hype Nite – offers players a quick way to earn some “Hype points” for prizes. These bouts already started last weekend and will take place on Fridays and Saturdays. The Fortnite Competitive Twitter account recently announced a “Challenger Hype Nite” which requires some Hype points upfront, but promises greater rewards as well:
Get Hype! Hype Nite will consist of two simultaneous events each Friday and Saturday.The new "Challenger Hype Nite" will require a bus fare of 300 Hype to enter, but the Hype rewards will be larger than normal.Jump into the Official Rules here: https://t.co/flcBhTeDLa
— Fortnite Competitive (@FNCompetitive) January 15, 2020
Another new mode is the Solo Platform Cup. It offers modest cash prizes and takes place on Wednesdays, starting January 15, 2020. It puts players against their rivals from the same platform – PC, Xbox, PS4, Switch etc. Prices vary per region and platform, with the first place giving anything from $350 to $1800. This isn’t much compared to the World Cup, sure, but it is still money on the line for those who want something substantial for their efforts.
Contender Cash Cup
Finally, the Contender Cash Cup rounds will be taking place on Thursdays, starting January 16, and are open to players from any platform. This is also a solo event, with the size of prizes and locations varying per region. European players will compete for a $2100 at the top spot, with more bonuses for anyone who makes the top 100.
On the other end of the scale are the significantly smaller Oceania, Middle East and Asia regions. There, only the top 5 players get cash prizes, with the overall winner taking $1200 home.
Scoring
The scoring format is different for Solo Hype Nite and the other two. Both offer a point for each elimination and bonus points for reaching the top spots. However, the thresholds themselves vary as follows:
Solo Hype Nite:
- Victory Royale: 15 points
- Second place: 12 points
- 3rd-4th place: 9 points
- 5th-6th place: 6 points
- 7th-12th place: 3 points
- Each elimination: +1 point
Solo Platform Cup / Solo Cash Cup:
- Victory Royale: 10 points
- 2nd-5th place: 7 points
- 6th-15th place: 5 points
- 16th-25th place: 3 points
- Each elimination: +1 point
If that sounds interesting, jump into Fortnite and check the “compete” tab to determine when each tournament starts for you. Times will vary based on your location and region. You can read the full rules for the tournaments.
Meanwhile, there are rumblings that something bigger is on the horizon. With the current season scheduled to end in early February, perhaps it’s as good a time as any to get some Fortnite practice and warm up – if the 2019 tournament prize pools are any indication, it will be worth it!
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