Summary
Recent years have seen a slew of live-service multiplayer titles come and go on PC and consoles, with few managing to exhibit any sort of real staying power. But even as numerous competitors have failed to find an audience and fallen by the wayside, Epic’sFortnitehas remained one of the biggest properties in gaming year after year. While the numerous high-profile crossovers that have brought everything fromStar Warsto Slim Shady toFortnitehave undoubtedly helped it retain its popularity, it’s the game’s ever-evolving mechanics that are the real secret to its success.
Unlike many other multiplayer titles that establish a formula for gameplay and stick with it year after year, Epic has turnedFortniteinto a constantly shifting online playground. From new modes like the Harmonix-developedFortniteFestivalto the countless user-generated worlds available inFortnite’s Creative mode, players looking for fun outside a firefight have plenty of options. And even as Epic has added numerous ways to play that don’t involve picking up a weapon, it has also continued to iterate and innovateFortnite’s iconic Battle Royale modeto ensure that there’s always a new experience awaiting players.
Fortnite’s Eclectic Mix of Game Modes Ensures It Has Something for Everyone
One of the biggest waysFortnitehas managed to stand out from its countless competitors in the live-service space is by expanding beyond just being a Battle Royale title. While its 100-person multiplayer matches are still the main draw for many players,Fortnitealso offers numerous ways for gamers to find decidedly less violent fun. Originally released in 2018,Fortnite’s Creative modeprovided the game’s first big step away from its Battle Royale roots by letting players design their private islands, but it wouldn’t be the last.
Likely buoyed by the immense popularity ofFortniteCreative mode, in late 2023 Epic added three all-new experiences to the game in the form ofRocket Racing,Fortnite Festival, andLego Fortnite. Each of the new modes offered an entirely new gameplay experience for players, broadeningFortnite’s appeal beyond just the hardcore competitive market that so many other live-service titles have targeted. The addition of these new multiplayer modes hasn’t diminished Epic’s focus on delivering a solid shooter experience, though. Even asnew modes are added toFortnite, Epic has continued to innovate its core Battle Royale gameplay in some imaginative ways.
Fortnite’s Ever-Evolving Battlefield Keeps Its Gameplay Feeling Fresh
While new multiplayer modes have attracted a wider audience toFortnitethan ever before, Epic hasn’t forgotten about the FPS fans who made the game a hit in the first place. Rather than presenting players with a static shooter experience,every season ofFortnitebrings a slew of changes to the game. Whereas other shooters may introduce a handful of unlockable skins and weapons each season,Fortniteregularly modifies its map and adds new mechanics that can drastically alter the pace of play.
From letting players take to the skies on the wings of Icarus to thevehicular combat inFortniteChapter 5 Season 3, each season offers new ways for Battle Royale fans to engage with the game. And thanks toFortnite’s focus on regularly switching up the gameplay, players who may not mesh with a new mechanic will always have something new to try next season. This letsFortnitefeel fresh nearly seven years on from its launch, while some competitors can feel outdated the day they debut.
By constantly adding new experiences for players while never losing its focus onFortnite’s core gameplay, Epic has managed to succeed in a genre that has proved perilous for many competitors in recent years. And with players already speculating about what’s in store for them inFortnite’s next season, the game’s long-running success shows no signs of stopping.
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 can 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.
