Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from the renowned research firm Newzoo suggests that while the battle royale genre may be facing challenges, Fortnite continues to thrive amidst these shifts. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has experienced a decline in playtime, dropping from 19% in 2021 to just 12% in 2024.

Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks data across 37 markets (excluding China and India) on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, reveals that together, shooter games and battle royale games still command a significant 40% of total playtime. As the battle royale genre's playtime has decreased, there has been a corresponding rise in the playtime dedicated to shooter games.

Despite the overall 7% decline in the genre's playtime, Fortnite has managed to increase its dominance within the battle royale space dramatically. The game's share of the genre surged from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024, showcasing its resilience and ability to capture a larger segment of the market even as the genre itself contracts.

In addition to the shifts within the battle royale genre, role-playing games (RPGs) have also seen significant growth, rising from a 9% share of playtime in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo highlighted that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was attributed to major releases from 2023, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield.

The competition for players' attention remains intense, with games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continuing to hold strong, while other titles struggle to maintain relevance. Meanwhile, both shooters and RPGs are gaining ground and capturing more of the gaming community's focus. The success stories of games such as Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3 underscore the growing appeal of these genres.

Fortnite's ability to adapt and evolve through constant updates and an expanding range of in-game experiences and genres has undoubtedly contributed to its enduring success. As the gaming landscape evolves, it will be interesting to observe how these trends continue to develop in response to shifting audience preferences.