According to the latest findings from Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre is experiencing a noticeable contraction, yet Fortnite remains a dominant force. The report highlights that playtime dedicated to battle royale games has decreased from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024, based on data collected from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor across 37 markets, excluding China and India, on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Interestingly, while battle royale games see a decline, shooter games are on the rise, maintaining a combined playtime share of 40% with battle royale games. This shift signifies a dynamic change within the gaming industry, with shooter games gaining ground as battle royale games lose some of their luster.
Within the battle royale genre, Fortnite has remarkably increased its dominance, expanding its share from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024. This growth underscores Fortnite's resilience and adaptability, capturing a larger slice of the genre's playtime even as the overall interest wanes.
Simultaneously, role-playing games (RPGs) have seen a significant uptick, rising from a 9% share in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo notes that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was attributed to major releases from the previous year, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This surge in RPGs highlights the genre's growing appeal and the impact of high-quality releases.
The competition for gamers' attention is intense, with stalwarts like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends holding strong, while other games struggle to maintain relevance. Meanwhile, the increasing popularity of shooters and RPGs, exemplified by hits like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, demonstrates the shifting landscape of player preferences.
Fortnite's ability to continuously evolve with new updates and a diverse range of gaming experiences has enabled it to withstand the challenges facing the battle royale genre. As gaming trends evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how these shifts continue to unfold in response to changing audience interests.
