Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Wanes: Report

A recent analysis from the research firm Newzoo suggests that while the battle royale genre might be facing headwinds, Fortnite continues to thrive amidst these challenges.

Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025 provides a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of the gaming industry, with a notable focus on the battle royale genre. According to Newzoo's data, the genre's share of total playtime has declined from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is sourced from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets excluding China and India across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Interestingly, while battle royale playtime has decreased, the time spent on shooter games has increased, maintaining a combined total of 40% of playtime for both genres.

Despite the genre's overall contraction, Fortnite has not only held its ground but significantly expanded its dominance within the battle royale category. Newzoo's figures reveal that Fortnite's share of the battle royale market surged from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024. This growth underscores Fortnite's resilience and ability to capture a larger segment of the genre even as overall interest wanes.

In parallel, role-playing games (RPGs) have experienced significant growth, increasing their share of playtime from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo highlighted that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was devoted to major 2023 releases such as Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This surge in RPG popularity indicates a shifting preference among gamers.

Newzoo's report emphasizes the intense competition for players' time and attention. While stalwarts like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to draw significant engagement, other titles struggle to maintain relevance. Concurrently, the rise of shooters and RPGs, exemplified by games like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, reflects a broadening of gamers' interests.

The resilience of Fortnite can be attributed to its continuous evolution, featuring regular updates, new content, and an expanding array of gaming experiences and genres within its platform. As trends evolve and audience preferences shift over time, it will be fascinating to observe how Fortnite and other leading titles adapt to these changing dynamics.