A recent report from research firm Newzoo sheds light on the evolving landscape of the battle royale genre, revealing that while the genre faces challenges, Fortnite continues to thrive.
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. The report, which draws data from the Game Performance Monitor across 37 markets (excluding China and India) on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, highlights that shooter and battle royale games together still constitute 40% of total playtime. As battle royale playtime decreases, shooter games have seen an increase.
Despite the overall genre's contraction, Fortnite has significantly expanded its dominance within the battle royale space. The game's share of the genre surged from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024, illustrating its resilience and appeal even as other titles in the genre struggle.
Meanwhile, the role-playing game (RPG) sector has also seen growth, rising from a 9% share in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo notes that a significant portion of this time, 18%, was dedicated to major 2023 releases such as Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield.Newzoo's analysis underscores the intense competition for gamers' attention, with titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends maintaining their ground, while others fade into the background. Both shooter and RPG genres are gaining ground, with standout titles like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3 exemplifying the shifting preferences in gaming.
Fortnite's ability to adapt and expand its offerings through regular updates and a diverse range of experiences within its ecosystem has undoubtedly contributed to its success amidst these shifting trends. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how audience interests and genre popularity continue to change in the coming years.
