Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from the research firm Newzoo suggests that the battle royale genre might be experiencing a slowdown, yet Fortnite remains resilient. The company's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025 highlights several shifts and trends shaping the gaming landscape, with one of the most notable being the decline of the battle royale genre. According to Newzoo's data, the genre's share of total playtime dropped from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024.

Focusing on 37 markets (excluding China and India), Newzoo noted that shooter games and battle royale games together account for approximately 40% of all playtime across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. As the battle royale genre's influence waned, shooter games gained traction, offsetting some of the decline.

Perhaps the most striking statistic is Fortnite's dominance within the battle royale genre. In 2021, Fortnite held 43% of the genre's playtime, but by 2024, that number surged to 77%. This means that despite the overall decline of the battle royale genre, Fortnite managed to capture an increasingly larger slice of the pie.

Meanwhile, role-playing games (RPGs) showed significant growth, rising from a 9% share in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo's findings revealed that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was dedicated to major releases from 2023, including Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield.

As Newzoo emphasized in its report, competition for player attention remains intense. While titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to thrive, others struggle to maintain their foothold. At the same time, shooters and RPGs appear to be expanding their influence and appeal.

Fortnite's ability to adapt with regular updates, fresh content, and diverse gaming experiences has likely contributed to its enduring popularity. However, as trends evolve and player preferences shift over time, it will be interesting to see how the gaming landscape continues to transform.