Olympic Esports Series finalists are ready for a unique shooting competition

Tai "TaySon" Starčič remembers the first time he encountered Fortnite. He was in his home country of Slovenia playing games with his friends when one of them brought up the idea of jumping into the new battle royale.

"We didn't try it, because we didn't agree with it. We thought it looked boring," the Fortnite Championship Series (FNCS) player said, adding that he wasn't a fan of Fortnite's original mode. "There were always zombies in the in-game cinematics."

Starčič and his friends eventually did give the colorful shooter a try, and now, years later, he is a decorated professional Fortnite player. He's won multiple Fortnite Championship Series Grand Finals and has placed well in a number of other tournaments.

The Slovenian player is joined by an accomplished roster of FNCS winners in a unique competition at the finals at the Olympic Esports Series in Singapore. The Olympic Esports Series 2023 ISSF Challenge featuring Fortnite will have players focus on several challenges including target shooting, accuracy and in-game navigation.

"I think it's easier [compared to traditional Fortnite tournaments]," Starčič said. "It's a course where you have to basically beat yourself and your own time whereas in other tournaments you have to beat others. You have to think like they think."

The unique Olympic Esports Series competition features a map built from the ground up within Fortnite Creative by several Japanese creators. They've used the platform's development tools to create a vibrant map with shooting ranges, obstacle courses and special Olympic Esports Series flair.

"In creating the [Olympic Esport Series] map, I first thought about my image of the Olympics," said Fortnite Creative designer Yanosu. "And then I began to create buildings with reference to the Olympic Stadium and Torch Tower, which were close to my image of the Olympics."

While Starčič has been competing at a high level within Fortnite for more than three years, he does admit that he has lost some motivation to compete.

"For me, when I started Fortnite I was so hyped to play everyday. It was so fun to play," he said. "Now that I've achieved a lot of things, the passion is slowly falling away."

The unique opportunity to compete on an Olympic stage has helped reignite part of his drive.

"It's crazy to think about [...] to think that a boy from a small village could be here," Starčič said. "It's crazy."

Watch Starčič and other finalists compete in the Olympic Esports Series 2023 ISSF Challenge Featuring Fortnite as in Singapore on June 24. All the thrilling finals action will be streamed globally on Olympics.com and Olympics social channels.

The Olympic Esports Series 2023 is a global virtual and simulated sports competition, created by the IOC, and in collaboration with International Federations (IFs) such as the International Shooting Sport Federation.

This event is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or otherwise associated with, Epic Games, Inc. The information players provide in connection with this event is being provided to the event organiser and not to Epic Games, Inc.