Fortnite Dominates as Battle Royale Interest Declines, Report Finds

A recent report from the research firm Newzoo sheds light on the evolving landscape of the battle royale genre, yet highlights Fortnite's enduring dominance. The Newzoo PC & Console Gaming Report 2025 delves into various industry shifts and trends, including a notable contraction in the battle royale sector. According to Newzoo's data, the playtime dedicated to battle royale games has decreased from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024.

Analyzing data from 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox through its Game Performance Monitor, Newzoo notes that shooter games and battle royale games together typically account for 40% of total playtime. As battle royale playtime has declined, shooter playtime has seen an increase.

Despite the genre's overall 7% drop, Fortnite has remarkably increased its share within the battle royale space. Newzoo's figures show Fortnite's dominance growing from a 43% share in 2021 to a commanding 77% in 2024. This indicates that while the battle royale genre faces challenges, Fortnite continues to capture a larger portion of the market.

Additionally, role-playing games (RPGs) have experienced significant growth, rising from a 9% share in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo's report points out that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was attributed to major 2023 releases such as Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield.

The competition for gamers' time and attention remains intense, with stalwarts like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends maintaining their presence, while other titles struggle to stay relevant. Both shooters and RPGs are expanding their reach and influence, as evidenced by the success of titles like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3.

Fortnite's ability to adapt with continuous updates and an expanding array of gaming experiences and genres within its platform likely contributes to its resilience. As time progresses, we can expect to see further shifts in gaming trends as audience preferences evolve.