Fortnite has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in in-game microtransactions and rewards.
Developed by Epic Games and released in 2017, Fortnite is an online video game that has overtaken the gaming world. Its success can be attributed to its ever-engaging weekly updates, broad audience appeal, and the freedom it offers players for customization. Its developers continually adapt the game's features to suit players' tastes and preferences, leveraging an ecosystem of professional gamers to maintain its relevance. While available in three game modes, each version shares the same general gameplay and game engine.
Epic Games' CEO, Tim Sweeney, credits the game's success for enabling the company to gain economies of scale, which has allowed it to challenge industry giants like Sony and redefine how video game publishers negotiate fees with online marketplaces. Fortnite’s success is also proven by the number of awards it has received. In 2017, Fortnite was nominated for "Best Co-op Game" by PC Gamer and for "Best Spectator Game" by IGN. In 2018, it won the award for Best Ongoing Game by PC Gamer and IGN and was nominated for "Best Nintendo Switch Game", "Best Mobile Game", and "Best Action Game" by the latter. Fortnite's success is not just due to its Battle Royale mode, which is a competitive third-person shooter, but rather its gameplay loop, building mechanics, ever-changing landscape of the map, and infinite player customisation options. This fresh spin on Battle Royale and freedom of expression have helped make Fortnite a phenomenon, surpassing even the grandfather of the genre, PUBG.
As a result, Fortnite has become one of the most influential video games in recent history. Its success serves as a model for ongoing games seeking to achieve the same level of popularity. In this review, Argentics will examine the elements that have contributed to Fortnite's resounding success.
