Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines: Report

A recent report from the research firm Newzoo sheds light on the evolving landscape of the battle royale genre, with Fortnite continuing to dominate despite a general decline in the genre's popularity. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has experienced a noticeable reduction in playtime, dropping from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is gathered from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, excluding China and India.

Interestingly, while the battle royale genre's playtime has decreased, shooter games have seen an uptick, collectively accounting for 40% of total playtime alongside battle royale games. This shift highlights a dynamic change within the gaming community, as players seem to be gravitating towards other genres.

Despite the genre's overall decline, Fortnite has not only maintained its position but has significantly increased its dominance within the battle royale space. In 2021, Fortnite held a 43% share of the genre, which surged to an impressive 77% by 2024. This growth demonstrates Fortnite's ability to capture and retain player interest, even as the broader genre sees a downturn.

Additionally, role-playing games (RPGs) have seen a rise in popularity, with their share of playtime increasing from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo notes that a significant portion of RPG playtime in 2024, specifically 18%, was dedicated to major releases from 2023, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This trend underscores the growing appeal of RPGs and their ability to draw players away from other genres.

Newzoo's report emphasizes the competitive nature of the gaming industry, where attention and playtime are hotly contested. While battle royale giants like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to hold strong, other games struggle to maintain relevance. The rise of shooters and RPGs, exemplified by successes like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, further illustrates the shifting preferences of gamers.

Fortnite's resilience in the face of these industry shifts can be attributed to its continuous updates, evolving content, and the broad spectrum of gaming experiences it offers. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how these trends develop and adapt to changing audience interests over time.