Fortnite’s new replay system is a big positive for streamers and content creators, but what about the average player that’s in it for fun or glory? How can Joe from down the street use the system in a productive way? Well, Joe, why not try to learn from your mistakes and get better at the game, maybe you won’t get impulse off the map in the final four again. We ALL remember that Joe. Good thing for you, Epic games has given you a tool to see what you did wrong and decide the best way to ensure an embarrassing situation like that doesn’t happen again.

 The best way to use this replay system is to sit there and narrate your game to yourself. Yes, you get to pretend that you’re Dr. Lupo and cast your own game choices, especially the mistakes that you made. Should you have held onto the blue pump instead of thinking your crossbow shot was Godlike? (YES.) Was my shot selection against this John Wick skin atop a mighty tower the best way to start that engagement? (More than likely not.) But even if the narration feels obvious, chances are that’s only because hindsight is 20/20. What might seem like an obvious mistake that got you killed will probably be the best thing to change in the next game.

Another helpful tactic is to compare your replays to that of your favorite streamer or pro player. Pull up your replay on your rig and Ninja’s stream on your laptop or phone. Compare the choices you made to the choices and positioning that he decides to commit to. Where are the differences? How did his choices pan out in the long run of the game? These are the questions you need to be asking yourself in order to get the full use out of the replay system that has been gifted to you, because Fortnite’s fun, but winning a game of Fortnite tastes all that much sweeter.