Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Wanes: Report

A recent analysis from Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025 sheds light on evolving trends within the gaming industry, particularly highlighting a contraction in the battle royale genre. According to Newzoo, the genre's share of total playtime has declined from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is drawn from the firm's Game Performance Monitor, which covers 37 markets across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, excluding China and India.

Despite the overall downturn in the genre, the report underscores a remarkable resilience from one title: Fortnite. The game has not only maintained its dominance within the battle royale space but has significantly increased its market share, jumping from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024. This growth suggests that while the genre as a whole may be experiencing a dip, Fortnite continues to capture and retain a large portion of the player base.

Simultaneously, the report notes a rise in playtime for shooter games, which, together with battle royale games, account for 40% of total playtime. This shift indicates a broader trend where players are increasingly turning to other genres, such as shooters, to fill their gaming hours.

In addition to the battle royale genre, Newzoo highlights the growth of role-playing games (RPGs), which have seen their share of playtime increase from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. A significant portion of this time, 18%, was spent on major releases from 2023, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. These games have evidently struck a chord with players, contributing to the genre's expansion.

The competitive landscape for gamers' attention is intense, with established titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continuing to thrive, while others struggle to maintain relevance. Meanwhile, genres such as shooters and RPGs are gaining ground, with standout successes like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3 illustrating the potential for growth within these categories.

Fortnite's ability to adapt and evolve, offering a wide array of gaming experiences and constant updates, has likely contributed to its resilience against the genre's overall decline. As gaming trends continue to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how player preferences shift and which titles emerge as the next big hits.