Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from research firm Newzoo suggests that while the storm may be tightening around the battle royale genre, Fortnite remains a formidable force. 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 12% in 2024. This data comes from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

Interestingly, while battle royale games have seen a decline, shooter games have been on the rise. Together, these two genres still account for a significant 40% of total playtime. Despite a 7% decrease in the overall battle royale genre, Fortnite has not only held strong but increased its dominance. In 2021, Fortnite held a 43% share of the battle royale market, which surged to an impressive 77% by 2024. This indicates that even as the genre as a whole has shrunk, Fortnite has captured a larger slice of the remaining pie.

The report also highlights growth in other genres, particularly role-playing games (RPGs). RPGs have increased their share of playtime from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo notes that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was dedicated to major 2023 releases such as Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This growth underscores the fierce competition for player attention and hours, where games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to thrive, while others struggle to maintain relevance.

As shooters and RPGs gain ground, standout titles like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3 are capturing significant mindshare. Fortnite's resilience can be attributed to its continuous updates, evolving content, and the integration of diverse gaming experiences within its ecosystem. As time progresses, the gaming landscape will undoubtedly continue to evolve, reflecting shifting audience interests and preferences.