Creators have rallied behind professional Fortnite player Clix following what many feel is a wrongful ban.
Professional Fortnite player and prominent Twitch streamer Cody "Clix" Conrod has been banned from Fortnite for two weeks. The player revealed the discipline issued by Epic Games following a "teaming" violation in this weekend's Solo Victory Cup. Epic reviewed the evidence and determined the highly-publicized clip featured a rule violation, resulting in Clix being banned. In response, Fortnite players have tweeted #FreeClix in support.
Epic's enforcement of the rule disqualifies Clix from FNCS Chapter 4 Season 2 and Chapter 4 Season 3. This outcome leaves a question mark about Clix's immediate future.
The clip that started it all
The situation unfolded during the April 22 edition of Fortnite's Solo Victory Cup. Players can only win money in this tournament by completing Victory Royales across two hours.
While streaming one of his matches, Clix interacted with a stream sniper and accepted items from the individual. The clip went viral later in the evening, prompting a discussion about whether this was a bannable offense.
Sure enough, Epic Games removed Clix from the Solo Victory Cup leaderboard and issued a 14-day ban. The rule in question falls under section 8.2.2, which describes teaming as "players working together during the match while on opposing teams."
Despite those within the scene believing this should warrant a competitive warning at worst, Epic Games dropped the hammer. Clix is barred from competing in the Fortnite Champion Series until Chapter 4 Season 4.
Clix responds to Epic's punishment
The popular Twitch streamer went live to explain the situation after news of his ban went public. In the stream, Clix rewatched the game, which resulted in his ban. He points out that the stream sniper followed him throughout the match.
Clix clarified that he intended to prove his opponent was stream sniping, hoping to get him banned. However, both were banned because his opponent splashed him and gave him materials.
Despite conversing with Epic Games, Clix stated that the ban would remain. Due to the ban, he is not eligible to compete in the next two FNCS tournaments. He tweeted out his explanation alongside the growing #FreeClix.
Related articles
#FreeClix movement begins in support of banned player
Fellow players and personalities within competitive Fortnite rushed to the defense of Clix following this news. Frequent collaborator Sommerset shed light on stream sniping—an issue many Fortnite personalities experience daily.
"#FreeClix. Coming from another creator the streamsniping issue we deal with on a daily basis is very aggravating & difficult to handle. I believe Clix's punishment was to [sic] harsh given the harassment he was dealing with. Please re-evaluate."
Clix's current duo partner Evan "Cented" Barron tweeted #FreeClix in support. He reiterated that Clix intended to show the prevalence of stream sniping in Fortnite.
Epic's history of punishment does not favor Clix. The powers that be seldom reverse bans, and the rule instituted in Chapter 2 Season 7 puts the talented player in an unwinnable position. Clix is due to sit on the sideline until Chapter 4 Season 4.
Stick with esports.gg for more Fortnite and esports news!
