Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Shows

A recent report from Newzoo sheds light on the evolving dynamics of the gaming industry, particularly within the battle royale genre. While overall interest in battle royale titles has seen a decline in playtime—dropping from 19% of total gameplay in 2021 to 12% in 2024—Fortnite continues to dominate the space, capturing an impressive 77% of the genre’s playtime compared to its 43% share just three years ago.

Newzoo’s Game Performance Monitor tracks activity across 37 markets (excluding China and India) for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. According to the data, while the battle royale segment is shrinking, shooter games have been gaining traction, maintaining a combined 40% of total playtime with their battle royale counterparts. This suggests that while players may be stepping away from large-scale last-person-standing formats, they’re still deeply engaged in high-intensity combat experiences.

Fortnite's Continued Dominance

Despite the broader downturn in the genre’s popularity, Fortnite has managed to not only hold its ground but actually grow its dominance within the category. The game’s adaptability, frequent content updates, and integration of multiple gameplay styles—including creative modes, live events, and cross-media collaborations—have helped it remain relevant and engaging to a wide audience.

RPGs Are On the Rise

Another standout trend in Newzoo’s PC & Console Gaming Report 2025 is the rise of role-playing games. RPGs accounted for 13% of playtime in 2024, up from 9% in 2021. Of that time, 18% was spent in major titles released in 2023, including Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. These figures highlight the growing appetite for deep narrative experiences and long-form gameplay.

Shifting Tides in Player Engagement

As noted in the report, competition for player attention remains intense. While established titles like *Fortnite*, *Call of Duty: Warzone*, and *Apex Legends* continue to draw crowds, many other titles are falling out of favor. At the same time, shooters and RPGs are expanding their influence, capturing more hours and engagement from global audiences.

The continued success of genre standouts such as *Marvel Rivals* and *Baldur’s Gate 3* demonstrates how developers are meeting player expectations with polished, immersive experiences. As Fortnite evolves into a multifaceted entertainment platform and RPGs deepen their storytelling capabilities, it's clear that innovation and variety are key to sustaining player interest.

While the current landscape shows signs of stabilization, future trends will likely continue to shift as new generations of players emerge and preferences evolve. One thing remains certain: adaptability will be the name of the game.