Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Says

A recent report from research firm Newzoo suggests that while the battle royale genre may be facing some challenges, Fortnite remains a dominant force within it. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has seen a decline in playtime, dropping from 19% of total playtime in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data was gathered from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which covers 37 markets across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, excluding China and India.

Interestingly, while battle royale playtime has decreased, shooter games have seen an increase in playtime. Together, these genres still account for 40% of total gaming time. Despite the overall downturn in the battle royale category, Fortnite's share within this genre has significantly grown. In 2021, Fortnite held a 43% share of the battle royale genre, which surged to 77% by 2024. This indicates that Fortnite has not only maintained its popularity but has also captured a larger portion of the diminishing market.

In addition to the shifts within the battle royale genre, Newzoo's report highlights growth in the role-playing game (RPG) sector. RPGs have increased their share of playtime from 9% in 2021 to 13% in 2024. 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 findings underscore the competitive nature of the gaming industry, where titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to thrive while others struggle to maintain relevance. The growth in shooter and RPG genres, with standout titles like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, reflects shifting player preferences.

Fortnite's ability to adapt and expand its offerings has likely contributed to its resilience amidst these trends. As gaming trends evolve with changing audience interests, it will be fascinating to observe how Fortnite and other games adapt to maintain their foothold in the ever-changing landscape of gaming.