Why Fortnite still doesn't have stretched resolution (& likely never will)

Stretched resolution in Fortnite would have made the game better in many ways. However, as it would also have granted those using it a fair amount of tactical advantage, Epic Games put a stop to it.

To elaborate, this setting allows players to lower the horizontal resolution of the game. But due to the game's set coding, the small resolution would get expanded to fit the entire screen. Doing so would create a greater field of view, resulting in players being able to see more than usual.

With the option removed, the next logical step was for the playerbase to ask for a FOV (field of view) slider. Given how many fights happen in closed spaces (box fights), having a broad/wide FOV makes a lot of sense. Considering that players can build vertically at a moment's notice, this would help.

Sadly, Fortnite has no FOV slider present, and the developers refused to elaborate on why this was the norm. Although they tried to justify their reasons, to an extent, it makes no sense. That said, here's a bit about stretched resolution and the FOV fiasco in-game.

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Fortnite refuses to include a FOV slider, and it doesn't make sense

Increasing the FOV in a game like Fortnite would have made a lot of sense. Given that players can build vertically and horizontally at will, it would have allowed for greater visibility at every level.

While other online games like Valorant and CS:GO do not have FOV sliders as well, since vertically, it is not that extreme, to an extent, it does not matter. However, in Fortnite's case, players can build high into the sky, which at times makes it difficult for players to keep track of their opponents.

Unfortunately, for the player base, Epic Games feels that adding a FOV slider will be bad for several reasons. In a blog post dated April 26, 2019, they cited five reasons for this decision. They are:

• Varied engagement ranges, favoring a low FOV and thus a closer view of enemies.
• Minimizing potential motion-sickness in players further away from their screen. The further a player’s head moves from the center of the in-game field of view, the more negative the reaction.
• Minimizing jarring transitions when aiming down sights.
• Visual fidelity.
• Performance.

While visual limitations are a proper reason, the point of correlating high FOV with motion sickness is rather contradictory. With several games on the Epic Games Store stating the exact opposite, this makes no sense.

In fact, Rocket League, which Epic owns, states the opposite as well. Based on the in-game options, increasing the FOV may reduce motion sickness. While one can argue that the game involves more movement on a certain level, there are cars in Fortnite.

For example, while Fortnite has 80 FOV for third-person mode, games like Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 have 90 FOV in their third-person mode. Given that the former runs on Unreal Engine 5, it's rather difficult to understand why the developers cannot add an integrated option for FOV.

While there are a few reasons based on speculation, it's best not to go down that road and assume things. In the future, the developers may add a FOV slider or adjust the default to 95-100. Until then, players can only enjoy the game on native resolution and, as the saying goes, "git gud" at it.