Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from research firm Newzoo highlights significant shifts in the battle royale genre, yet Fortnite remains a dominant force. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre's share of overall playtime has decreased from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is derived from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, excluding China and India.

Despite the genre's overall decline, Fortnite has remarkably increased its market share within the battle royale category. In 2021, Fortnite held a 43% share of the genre, which surged to a commanding 77% by 2024. This growth underscores Fortnite's ability to capture and retain player interest even as the broader genre experiences a downturn.

Meanwhile, shooter games have seen an uptick in playtime, collectively accounting for 40% of total playtime alongside battle royale games. This suggests a shift in player preference towards shooters as battle royale games lose ground.

Role-playing games (RPGs) have also seen a rise in popularity, increasing from a 9% share of playtime in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo notes that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was spent on major releases from 2023, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This growth indicates a strong demand for immersive storytelling and expansive game worlds.

The competition for player attention remains intense, with established titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continuing to thrive, while other games struggle to maintain relevance. The rise of shooters and RPGs, exemplified by successes like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, further illustrates the evolving landscape of gaming preferences.

Fortnite's resilience can be attributed to its continuous updates, diverse gaming experiences, and adaptability to changing player interests. As the gaming industry evolves, it will be fascinating to observe how these trends develop and which new genres and titles capture the audience's attention in the coming years.