Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from the research firm Newzoo sheds light on the evolving landscape of the battle royale genre, revealing that while the genre's overall playtime has decreased, Fortnite continues to dominate. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has seen a decline in playtime from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is drawn from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, excluding China and India.

Despite the genre's overall downturn, shooter games and battle royale games together still account for a substantial 40% of playtime. As battle royale playtime has diminished, shooter games have seen an uptick. However, the most striking detail from the report is Fortnite's increasing 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 underscores Fortnite's resilience and ability to capture a larger portion of the market even as the genre itself contracts.

In parallel, role-playing games (RPGs) have experienced significant growth, increasing their share from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo highlighted that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was dedicated to major releases from 2023, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This growth in RPGs, alongside the continued strength of shooter games, indicates a shifting focus in gaming preferences.

Newzoo's report emphasizes the intense competition for player attention and playtime. While stalwarts like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends maintain their presence, other games struggle to keep up. The success of standout titles in the shooter and RPG genres, such as Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, further illustrates this dynamic.

Fortnite's ability to adapt and evolve through constant updates and a diverse range of gaming experiences has undoubtedly contributed to its enduring success. As gaming trends continue to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how audience interests shift and which games rise to meet these changing demands.