According to a recent report by Newzoo, interest in the battle royale game genre has shown a notable decline, dropping from 19% of total playtime in 2021 to a projected 12% for 2023 and 2024. This is largely attributed to the reduction of competitors in the sector, as many titles released between 2020 and 2024 have become unavailable, indicating a shift in market trends towards other genres.
Is this the beginning of the end for Fortnite?
Despite this general decline in interest in battle royales, Fortnite has managed to increase its share of playtime within the genre, raising it from 43% in 2021 to 77% in 2024. This growth has been driven by the successful Fortnite OG event in 2023 and the game’s expansion into non-battle royale derivatives, such as Lego Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival. This suggests that Newzoo is accounting for the entire Fortnite audience in its share of the genre, not just those who play the battle royale modes.
Simultaneously, players have redirected their attention towards shooters and RPGs, especially in a year that promises to be significant for franchises like Call of Duty, which benefits from its inclusion in Game Pass. This shift in focus coincides with the release of notable titles such as Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals, as well as a prominent offering of action role-playing games.
Despite the specific decline in interest in battle royales, shooters in general have maintained a consistent representation of 40% in global playtime since 2021. This suggests that, although the battle royale may be losing its prominence, the appeal of shooters remains strong in the gaming community.