3 min read
Epic Games removed Fortnite’s experimental “Delulu” mode from playlists after just two limited weekend runs, following a wave of player bans and widespread reports of toxicity and harassment. The innovative proximity voice chat feature created viral social moments and drove significant player engagement, but its open nature quickly turned into a double-edged sword that exposed the dark side of online anonymity.
Epic ended Delulu’s public availability on September 29, 2025. The mode let players communicate with others in their immediate virtual vicinity, sparking a flood of unscripted moments. Players formed and betrayed alliances, generated viral clips, and explored new strategic possibilities within the battle royale format. According to Esports.gg, the buzz pushed Fortnite’s concurrent player count past 3 million during the mode’s run.
However, players quickly exploited the experiment’s open voice chat system. Several media outlets reported that Epic Games issued thousands of bans after launch, suspending players for abusive behavior, hate speech, and harassment. Social media feedback confirmed a sharp contrast between the curated creator sessions and the public experience, which many labeled a “toxic hellzone.” Female players especially reported misogynistic harassment, with some male players deliberately targeting them as soon as they spoke.
The controversy highlights a dilemma developers constantly face: balancing innovative social mechanics with the need for a safe environment. Epic’s aggressive moderation response showed its commitment to player safety, but the overwhelming number of reports proved that existing tools could not handle the flood of unfiltered interactions.
Epic introduced voice reporting in 2023, which securely captures the last five minutes of chat for review. But Delulu’s scale magnified abuse far beyond what the system anticipated.
Despite the backlash, Epic is unlikely to remove Delulu permanently. Analysts and community discussions suggest the mode will return, but only with stricter controls. Not to say that some fans did not have a great time with Delulu. Despite controversy, some fans had this to say on Reddit:
Comment
byu/fortnite-fan-artist from discussion
inFortNiteBR
The question, however, remains: what is the future of Fortnite proximity chat going to look like? Analysts expect the future versions could include more aggressive voice filtering, adaptive behavioral penalties, and rotational schedules to manage player behavior. Epic might also highlight the mode’s potential through curated influencer servers in controlled environments.
As Epic evaluates Delulu’s future, the human element remains the biggest wildcard. The mode proved organic social interaction can reinvigorate a competitive game, but it also revealed how quickly freedom can spiral into chaos without safeguards. If Epic reintroduces Delulu with stronger moderation, it could preserve the charm that made the mode so compelling, showing that social play can be both exciting and safe.
