A recent report from the esteemed research firm Newzoo sheds light on the evolving landscape of the battle royale genre, with a spotlight on Fortnite's resilience amidst changing trends. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has experienced a noticeable contraction in playtime, dropping from 19% of total playtime in 2021 to 12% in 2024.
Utilizing its Game Performance Monitor, which covers 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms, Newzoo highlights that shooter and battle royale games together typically represent 40% of playtime. As the battle royale segment sees a decline, shooter games have seen an uptick in playtime.
Despite the overall 7% decrease in the genre's playtime, Fortnite's dominance within the battle royale space has surged remarkably. The game's share of the genre increased from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024. This indicates that even as the genre faces a downturn, Fortnite continues to capture a larger slice of the market.
Alongside shifts in the battle royale scene, role-playing games have also seen substantial growth, rising from a 9% share of playtime in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Notably, 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was dedicated to major 2023 releases, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield.
Newzoo's report emphasizes the intense competition for player attention and time. While stalwarts like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends maintain their positions, other games struggle to keep up. Concurrently, both shooter and role-playing games are gaining ground and capturing more of the market, as evidenced by the success of games such as Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3.
Fortnite's ability to adapt and expand its offerings, with a continuous stream of updates and a diverse range of gaming experiences, has likely contributed to its enduring appeal. As gaming trends evolve with changing audience preferences, the landscape will undoubtedly continue to shift in the coming years.
