Fortnite's new Treasure Hunters season has seen a massive surge in player counts, with numbers five times higher than last week, as players flock to the game in search of Tim Sweeney's golden ticket, which grants everything in the item shop for free for two weeks this year and two more weeks in 2027. The hunt for the golden ticket has changed the way people play, with many players prioritizing chest opening over winning matches.
This has led to unusual player behavior, including players ignoring their teammates and focusing solely on opening chests, and others playing aggressively in pursuit of fights and stats. The influx of new players and those who haven't played in a while has also led to a rise in players who are more interested in looting than fighting, creating an imbalance in gameplay.
Despite this, some players are still playing the game strategically, sticking together and looting carefully in hopes of pulling out a win. The unusual behavior is expected to subside once the Pirate Shop token is removed from the game on December 5.