Summary
Despite gamers reportedly losing interest in the battle royale genre,Fortnitecontinues to dominate much of the video game industry, according to a new report. The new data suggests the battle royale genre’s time in the spotlight may be fading, with other genres seeing spikes in popularity. However, Epic Games has maintained a steady ship, withFortnitecontinuing to be one of the most popular games.
The gaming community can sometimes be hard to pin down, which is why some games fail while others carve out their own spots in history. While certainly not new anymore, the battle royale genre has been a big one in the industry, with many online multiplayer games launching with this in mind or adopting it post-launch.Fortniteis perhaps the biggest exampleand one of the most successful, with Epic Games continuing to provide updates for players on a consistent basis. However, new data suggests the battle royale genre is slipping.
A new report fromNewzooshows that battle royale games may be losing their grip among players, revealing the genre has shrunk in playtime from 19% in 2021 to just 12% in 2024. Newzoo’s PC & Console Gaming Report for 2025 cites its Game Performance Monitor, which looks at 37 different markets for data across both PC and console users. The report reveals that, as a whole, shooter games and battle royale titles make up roughly 40% of playtime. This means shooter games have seen an uptick in popularity, whereas battle royale games have gone downward. However,Fortniteand its battle royale modeshow some interesting trends.
Fortnite Sees Increase in Players Despite Decline in Battle Royale Popularity
While this may sound bad forFortnite, the new report actually paints a different picture for Epic Games' massively popular free-to-play title, with the game moving from 43% of the share of battle royale playtime in 2021 to a whopping 77% in 2024. As battle royale games trend downward,Fortniteremains at the top above other titles likeApex LegendsandPUBG: Battlegrounds, likely due to the game’s near-constant updates and seasonal changes.Fortnite’s popularity also stems from its collaborations, with numerous real-life celebrities and iconic fictional characters all making their way into the game over the years.
Perhaps the most surprising part of the new report shows that other genres, like role-playing games, have seen substantial growth, rising from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Top games in this category includeDiablo 4,Hogwarts Legacy, and thehighly-praisedBaldur’s Gate 3, which has seemingly already been solidified as a classic in the video game industry. It’s unknown how much longer the battle royale genre will last, but it seems likeFortnitecould be here to stay, and with new seasons coming regularly, it’s not surprising why the game remains popular.
Fortnite
WHERE TO PLAY
Create, play, and battle with friends for free in Fortnite. Be the last player standing in Battle Royale and Zero Build, experience a concert or live event, or discover over a million creator made games, including racing, parkour, zombie survival, and more. Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you’re able to find the one that’s right for you and your friends.Explore large, destructible environments where no two games are ever the same. Team up with friends by sprinting, climbing and smashing your way to earn your Victory Royale, whether you choose to build up in Fortnite Battle Royale or go no-builds in Fortnite Zero Build.Discover even more ways to play across thousands of creator-made game genres: adventure, roleplay, survival and more. Or, band together with up to three friends to fend off hordes of monsters in Save the World.
