Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from research firm Newzoo suggests that the battle royale genre may be facing a contraction, yet 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% of total playtime in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is drawn from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

Interestingly, as battle royale playtime decreases, shooter games are seeing an uptick in engagement. Together, these genres account for a steady 40% of total playtime, indicating a shift in player preferences within the broader gaming ecosystem. Despite the overall genre's decline, Fortnite's dominance within the battle royale space has significantly increased, capturing a remarkable 77% share in 2024, up from 43% in 2021. This demonstrates Fortnite's ability to not only hold its ground but expand its footprint even as the genre faces headwinds.

Role-playing games (RPGs) are also gaining traction, with their share of playtime increasing from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo highlights that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was dedicated to major releases from 2023, including titles such as Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This growth underscores the diverse and evolving interests of gamers.

The competition for players' time and attention remains intense, with leading battle royale titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continuing to perform well, while other games struggle to maintain relevance. Meanwhile, genres like shooters and RPGs are capturing more market share, driven by standout titles such as Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3.

Fortnite's resilience can be attributed to its continuous updates, evolving gameplay, and expanding universe of experiences and genres. As gaming trends evolve with changing audience interests, it's clear that Fortnite has not only weathered the storm but has emerged stronger. Looking forward, the gaming landscape will undoubtedly continue to shift, reflecting the dynamic nature of player engagement and preferences over time.