Fortnite: Is it 'dying'?

Hey there!

Welcome back to another blog by Noddy's Writings. Today, let's dive down into one of the most popular games ever made & see if Fortnite is 'dying'.

Let's first look at some statistics & get a lil' bit of history on this game. Fortnite was created by the video game company Epic Games & was released commercially on 21st July 2017. Fortnite is compatible with:

1. Android

2. iOS

3. iPadOS

4. Xbox One

5. PlayStation 4

6. Microsoft Windows

7. Nintendo Switch

8. Macintosh

The game is available in 3 distinct modes:

1. Save the World, which is essentially PvE (Player vs Enemy)

2. Battle Royale, which is PvP (Player vs Player)

3. Creative, which is a place where players can build their own islands.

Fortnite has been able to win awards for its reputation, some of which are:

1. Teen Choice Award for Choice Video Game (2018)

2. The Game Award for Best Multiplayer Game (2018)

Now as to answer the question, 'is Fortnite dying'? According to me, YES! Now for those of you who keep up with statistics & growth rates & the likes, you might argue that Fortnite has in fact seen a growth of player base (number of players playing the game). Now, with regard to this, let me show why this game is 'dying'.

In May 2020, Epic Games reported that Fortnite had a player base of over 350 million registered players GLOBALLY, with a play time of 3.2 BILLION hours reported only in the month of April 2020.

However, in March 2019, Tim Sweeney (CEO of Epic Games) reported the game had 250 million players. Using basic arithmetic, we can see an increase of 28.5% (approximate) in almost a year. Although ignorant about what is the average growth rates in the gaming industry, I'm pretty sure that getting such an increase in player base would've surely been a proud moment for Fortnite.

Reading till here, you're probably thinking that I'm trying to prove that Fortnite is growing. However, there is a point to all of this. See, a game is only as good as long as it has CONTENT. By the term Content, what I mean is that there are elements in the game that actually forced players to play it.

Now in Season 1 (which was when the game was originally released), we can see a few of these items coming such as the Slurp Juice, Tactical Submachine Gun (SMG), Scoped Assault Rifle & many more.

Also, another reason why Season 1 was a very famous season is because it was a new game mode introduced to the gaming world. Season 1 is the shortest season in Fortnite History, with the average duration of a season being 73 days.

Now Season 2 was introduced 43 days after launch of Season 1. In Season 2, we saw the introduction of the Small Shield Potions (commonly known as 'Minis'). They were much appreciated by the player base as it allowed quick healing for players. Some other things that were introduced were the Boogey Bombs, Traps, Campfires, Silenced Pistols, Miniguns etc.

In Season 3, we had some of the items like Remote Explosives, Llamas, Vending Machines, Guided Missiles added to the game.

Many gamers also say that in Fortnite Chapter 1, we saw most of the new things being added in Season 3. The Chapter 1 of Fortnite ran till October 15th 2019, after which Chapter 2: Season 1 (aka Season 11) was introduced. Season 11 was a very controversial season. You had players absolutely quitting Fortnite (mostly because of the change in the map) & on the other hand, you had players joining the Fortnite Community so as to check out this new season.

Now here is where the problem starts. See, up until Chapter 1, everything was going smooth. You had regular content creation, regular maintenance downtimes. However, in Season 11, players lost the regular content updates.

Although you had content updates, they didn't motivate players in a way they did in Chapter 1.

And this phenomenon right here is what lead to the question 'is Fortnite dying'?

Now while I'll explain this very deeply in regard to the current situation (from Season 11) of Fortnite, please bear with me as I'll have to use many gaming terms.

Now, when we look at Fortnite, as a player, I think many people will agree with me when I say that the Old Fortnite feeling isn't there. Why, you ask? Well there are plenty of reasons for that. The map change hit a lot of players negatively, forcing many gamers to change the game they play & stream. Another thing that negatively impacted is that game has been become more 'competitive' focused. Let me explain what this means.

See, as a content creator/streamer, you need fun content to present to your audience. This 'content' might not always have to be in the form of winning against all the other players, but can also be things like trickshots, using unique items in game. Items such as Boogey Bombs, Jump Pads, Bounce Pads, Hunting Rifles, Shockwave Grenades, Impulse Grenades, Guided Missiles allowed this kind of content to be created, thereby allowing streamers & audiences to have fun playing the game. Yes, playing competitive Fortnite is very interesting for audiences as well as they can learn different kinds of methods to overcome their opponents, but after a point, it just becomes boring. Well, somehow Season 11 managed to have a mostly positive affect over us.

But now we come to Season 12 (Chapter 2: Season 2), which according to me, pissed players off at another level. Season 12 saw almost no content updates, other than maybe Crash Pads. This was maybe the biggest negative collective hit to Epic Games. There has been some major discontent amongst players as this Season has gone for more 100 DAYS! However, on a more positive note, there was a major event which was known as the 'Astronomical' event, which was made in collaboration with famous musician Travis Scott.

This event is what you can say a 'HUGE BOOST' to the Fortnite Player Base. Many people say that this is one of the most positive experiences they have had on Fortnite.

And now for a final judgement to be passed for the question, I would say NO (at least till now). See, this game has had its share of ups & downs, but it still continues to be one of the most popular games ever made. It has experienced above average player base growth, good refreshing in content. However, if Season 13 (Chapter 2: Season 3) fails to make a very POSITIVE impact on players, Fortnite might just end up dying.

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