If you’ve been grinding Fortnite’s OG Ranked playlist lately, savor those final dubs—because it’s getting vaulted. Epic Games has confirmed that OG Ranked will be removed on June 7, just before Chapter 6: Season 3 kicks off. While the initial reaction might be pure rage-quit energy, the decision actually makes a lot more sense once you dig into the numbers and direction Epic seems to be steering the game.
What Exactly Is OG Ranked?
OG Ranked was essentially a nostalgia trip with stakes. It dropped players back into Fortnite’s Chapter 1 map—the old-school terrain where Tilted Towers reigned supreme—and let them duke it out with competitive matchmaking and ranks. Think of it as a love letter to veteran players who wanted to relive the golden days, but sweatier.
Why It’s Being Removed: The Quiet Decline
Despite its promising launch, OG Ranked has been struggling behind the scenes. The honeymoon phase didn’t last long:
- Low Player Engagement: Queue times ballooned, and matchmaking quality tanked. Players often got lobbies filled with AI bots, which defeats the whole purpose of a ranked experience.
- Split Community: With Fortnite juggling multiple modes (Battle Royale, Zero Build, Creative 2.0, Ranked, LTMs), adding a permanent OG Ranked split the player base even further.
- Seasonal Rotation Model: Epic seems to be pushing for seasonal or event-based OG content rather than keeping it live 24/7. This allows them to hype up returns of the OG map without exhausting it.
Epic’s Strategy: Quality Over Quantity
This move lines up with a broader strategy from Epic: streamlining playlists to keep matchmaking pools healthy and competitive. Fortnite has become a Frankenstein of different gameplay styles, and it’s clear the devs are trying to prevent any one mode from becoming a ghost town. Removing OG Ranked is part of that cleanup.
Also, by making OG content temporary, Epic turns it into a limited-time spectacle. It’s the same reason they keep bringing back vaulted items or rotating LTMs—it generates hype, gets players talking, and keeps the experience fresh.
What About Competitive Players?
Don’t panic if you’re an OG sweat. Epic confirmed that competitive events tied to OG settings aren’t going away entirely. These will return in tournament form or other seasonal formats. So while the constant Ranked grind on the OG map is disappearing, the opportunity to flex in a throwback tournament still exists.
What This Means for Chapter 6, Season 3
This feels like Epic clearing the table before the next big thing. Chapter 6 is rumored to bring some major changes—possibly another twist in map design or meta mechanics—and Epic doesn’t want outdated modes dragging down the new season’s momentum.
Plus, with leaks hinting at new collaborations and mechanics, there’s a strong chance that Fortnite is going to double down on futuristic or high-concept gameplay rather than leaning on nostalgia.
Should You Care?
If you were just in OG Ranked for the vibe, it’s a bummer. No more classic pump duels in Retail Row under a ranked banner. But let’s be honest: if you cared that much, you’ve probably already hit your peak rank and bounced after a few bot lobbies.
If you’re a competitive player, this opens the door for fresher, more balanced playlists and events. It’s a net win in terms of matchmaking quality and content pacing.
Final Thoughts: Gone, But Not Forgotten
OG Ranked’s removal isn’t a betrayal—it’s a recalibration. Epic gave players a solid nostalgia binge but realized the long-term sustainability wasn’t there. Instead of letting it rot, they’re putting it back in the vault until it can make a more meaningful return.
So drop in a few last times, crank your 90s in Pleasant Park, and get ready for whatever insanity Chapter 6 is about to drop. Fortnite’s past was fun—but its future looks sweaty, weird, and wide open.
Would you uninstall if they removed Tilted again? Let us know.
