Fortnite maker sues game tester for allegedly leaking Chapter 2 event

Don't break Epic NDAs, or else the company might sue. 

Epic Games

The introduction of Fortnite Chapter 2 this month was a huge event for developer Epic Games. One person who tested the new content allegedly spoiled some of the surprises, and now he's being sued. 

Epic filed a lawsuit Friday against Ronald Sykes, who tested the Fortnite Chapter 2 content in September at the company's campus in Cary, North Carolina. The lawsuit, reported earlier by Polygon, says Sykes broke a nondisclosure agreement he signed Sept. 21. 

"By signing his NDA, Sykes acknowledged and agreed that were he to breach his obligations relating Epic's Confidential Information, Epic would have the right to pursue injunctive relief because legal remedies would be inadequate," the suit says. 

Sykes, according to the suit, began tweeting about Chapter 2 on Twitter on two accounts. Those accounts have since been deleted. The first tweet, shown in the suit, was sent to Fortnite YouTuber Happy Power on Sept. 24, saying "I played S11 and can tell you the new stuff." Prior to its official announcement, Chapter 2 was generally called Fortnite season 11. 

On multiple occasions in September and October, Sykes allegedly relayed more details about the upcoming content, including releasing an image of the new map for the game, which was quickly dismissed by many Fortnite fans. 

Epic is seeking injunctive relief and damages, but didn't specify an amount, for "misappropriation of trade secrets," according to the suit. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Sykes couldn't immediately be reached for comment. 

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