Summary
It’s pretty rare for a new video game genre to come about, but when it does, it usually takes the world by storm for at least a few years. That was exactly the case with the battle royale genre. While battle royale modes have technically been around for over a decade, withMinecraft’s Survival Gamesfan mode being one of the earliest examples, it wasn’t untilPUBG’s release in early 2017 that the genre really took off, and thenFortnite’s release later that year took things to stratospheric heights.
Fortnite’s battle royale modeneeds absolutely no introduction. For the last six years,Fortnitehas been one of the most popular multiplayer games on the market, and it’s become a hub of all things pop-culture, with massive brands like Marvel,Star Wars, and DC crossing over with the game numerous times over the years. In many ways,Fortnitehas set the blueprint for battle royale games that have followed it, but with this latest Chapter,Fortnitemight be in the opposite position.
Fortnite’s Latest Chapter Catches Up With Battle Royale Peers
Fortnite Was the Blueprint for the Battle Royale Genre
WhileFortnitewasn’t the first battle royale game, it has been the most influential and important, especially when it comes to setting the standard for the rest of the genre moving forward. With the extreme success ofFortniteand its revolutionary Battle Pass system, it didn’t take long before other big publishers wanted to jump aboard the same train, andApex Legendswas one of the first to join the club.
Though it managed to stand apart by putting a large emphasis on its hero-shooter-inspired gameplay,Apex Legendsstill borrowed a few big elements fromFortnitesuch asa Battle Pass system, and the idea of an ever-evolving live-service model, which to be fair, had been used by big MMOs for a while beforeFortnite’s release. Then along cameCall of Duty: Warzonea few years later. Again, while it managed to stand out thanks to its excellent core mechanics and brand recognition, it did follow in the footsteps ofFortnite.
Fortnite Chapter 5 Borrows Some Big Warzone Features
But while much of the battle royale genre owes at least some of its success toFortnite, those that are still left standing have had to adapt over time, and develop their own unique sense of identity.Apex Legendscontinued to double down on its unique ability-centered gameplay, andCall of Duty: Warzonecontinued to focus on its custom loadouts, more realistic map design, and its Gulag respawn system. The most popular battle royale games no longerneed to copyFortniteto guarantee success, and in fact, it might be going the other way around now.
The latestFortniteChapter 5 updatebrings a whole slew of new features to the game, andCall of Duty: Warzonefans might notice a few familiar elements. Perhaps the most familiar feature isFortnite’s new train, which circles the map and can be boarded to find some rare loot, a feature thatWarzone’s had since August 2020. Another major similarity isFortnite’s new weapon mod system, which lets players add a series of attachments to their weapons, which has obviously been a staple of the entireCall of Dutyfranchise since 2007. EvenFortnite’s building architecture looks eerily similar toWarzone’s, with this Chapter taking a more realistic approach to its art direction. These are all great additions toFortnite, but it is interesting to see the game now taking inspiration from the battle royale games it originally influenced.
Fortnite
WHERE TO PLAY
Create, play, and battle with friends for free in Fortnite. Be the last player standing in Battle Royale and Zero Build, experience a concert or live event, or discover over a million creator made games, including racing, parkour, zombie survival, and more. Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you can find the one that’s right for you and your friends.Explore large, destructible environments where no two games are ever the same. Team up with friends by sprinting, climbing and smashing your way to earn your Victory Royale, whether you choose to build up in Fortnite Battle Royale or go no-builds in Fortnite Zero Build.Discover even more ways to play across thousands of creator-made game genres: adventure, roleplay, survival and more. Or, band together with up to three friends to fend off hordes of monsters in Save the World.
