In a large showcase of dedication and skill, a recent global tournament for Fortnite has concluded. Cooper “Cooper” Smith, a 17-year-old Round Rock native, and his gaming partner Leon “Khanada” Khim were one of just 50 duos from around the world who qualified to compete in this year’s championship. 

Fortnite, created by Epic Games, is a battle royale where one hundred players drop onto a map and fight until one team remains. Constant updates and changes are implemented, keeping players hooked constantly trying to improve. Fortnite tournaments are known for their high stakes, offering large prize pools to those who take victory. Competitors from all over the globe are drawn into playing and constantly evolving their skill. 

In this case, the FNCS Global Championship 2024 consisted of 100 players from all different regions of the world competing for a $2,002,000 prize pool. Competing in a battle for first, these players qualified through a series of online tournaments, Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS), to make it to the global championship which was held in Fort Worth, Texas, Sept. 7-8. 

The Gaming World

Cooper Smith, who won the 2023 Global Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark,  has lived in Round Rock his entire life and began playing video games at a young age. “My Father enjoyed playing video games and helped me build my first computer,” he said. “I can’t exactly remember what made me download the game but I remember all my friends playing in the 6th grade and figured I’d give it a shot around the same time, so I started playing in early 2018.” In just 6 years of playing, Cooper has made several notable accomplishments. 

Cooper’s rise in the Fortnite and gaming world is very impressive. What started as casual playing with his friends quickly turned into a pursuit to be the best. “It took me a long time to start placing and doing well professionally, but the second I started doing good it just went up and up from there. I ended up finding a good duo partner, and we won the tournament in Denmark.” 

Winning the FNCS Global Championship 2023 and splitting a $1,000,000 prize pool was a large achievement in his career. “Winning the Global Championship in Denmark last year at the age of 16 has been, by far, the highlight of my professional gaming career.” 

Having success in large tournaments comes from a combination of constant adaptation and preparation. He speaks on the importance of finding strategies unknown to others, and using them to gain an advantage in his playstyle. “I spend a lot of time reviewing the videos of other players in competitions to learn strategies that I could add to my game.” Rather than limiting himself, Cooper takes other playstyles into account that can improve his gameplay.

Cooper’s journey to the top serves as an inspiration for many aspiring gamers. “Chase your dreams and never give up,” he advises. He talks about how it took over three years of playing before receiving his first prize money. “You can do anything if you put your mind to it! For me, luck is when preparation meets opportunity!” With consistency and perseverance came success, and in Cooper’s case we are able to see that.

Fortnite Global Championship

In addition to Cooper, the Fortnite Global Championship 2024 held at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, was able to highlight the success of many uprising players. After day two, Peter “Peterbot” Kata and Miguel “Pollo” Moreno were crowned the victors of this year’s tournament. The two were able to win five out of twelve games, and their dominant performance was shown as they stood on stage. With many players struggling to win a single game, their hard work and preparation is a true testament to their success. Cooper and his partner Khanada finished 20th. Another Texas-based gamer, Cody “Clix” Conrod, finished 11th.

As the championship comes to a close, we admire the dedication and talent of many players including Cooper, Peterbot, Pollo, and Clix. Cooper’s journey from a young player into a leading professional is inspirational and admirable to many. These players have many achievements that highlight the competitive skill and spirit in Fortnite. 

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Cover photo courtesy Epic Games, Michal Konkol

Ashton Love is a marketing major at Baylor University who combines his academic goals with his interest in video games and media. Formerly known by his gamertag “Fflo,” Ashton has competed in numerous Fortnite tournaments and joined several gaming organizations. His experience with video game competitions gives him a unique, knowledgeable perspective on esports.