Fortnite | Price, Specs and Gameplay

Fortnite stands as a prominent online video game crafted by Epic Games, making its debut in 2017. Within its digital spinoff, three distinctive game modes emerge, sharing the same overarching gameplay and game engine. At the forefront, there's Fortnite Battle Royale, an enticing free-to-play battle royale masterpiece that pits a massive battalion of up to 100 players against each other, their sights set on claiming the coveted title of the last person standing.

Fortnite

Fortnite

Platform

PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X/S Windows macOS Nintendo Switch iOS Android

DESIGN
Genre(s)	Survival, battle royale, sandbox
Developer(s)	Epic Games
Publisher(s)	Epic Games
Mode(s)	Single-player Multi-player
Composer(s)	-
Engine	Unreal Engine 5
Release Date	Fortnite: Save theWorld  (July 25, 2017) - early access Fortnite Creative  (December 6, 2018) - latest release
Download Link	PlayStation | Xbox |  Nintendo Switch |  Windows |  Android
Price	PlayStation (Free) | Xbox (Free) | Nintendo Switch (Free) |  Windows (Free) | Android (Free)

Fortnite stands as a prominent online video game crafted by Epic Games, making its debut in 2017. Within its digital spinoff, three distinctive game modes emerge, sharing the same overarching gameplay and game engine. At the forefront, there's Fortnite Battle Royale, an enticing free-to-play battle royale masterpiece that pits a massive battalion of up to 100 players against each other, their sights set on claiming the coveted title of the last person standing. 

On another front, we find Fortnite: Save the World, a masterful fusion of cooperative tower defense, shooter dynamics, and survival elements. In this mode, teams of up to four valiant players unite to fend off waves of zombie-esque adversaries, strategically utilizing traps and fortifications they ingeniously construct, all in the mission to safeguard key objectives.

Diving even deeper into the multifaceted world of Fortnite, we encounter Fortnite Creative, where players are bestowed with an unbridled sense of artistic freedom. This mode grants the power to shape entire universes, crafting imaginative battle arenas and captivating worlds that resonate with their creative visions.

The saga commenced in 2017 with the early access debuts of Save the World and Battle Royale, while the enchanting realm of Creative unfurled its realms on December 6, 2018. While all versions of the game bear testament to Epic Games' ingenuity, it was Fortnite Battle Royale that soared to unprecedented heights. A cultural phenomenon of epic proportions, it rallied a staggering 125 million players in less than a year, surging to amass hundreds of millions of dollars in monthly revenues. The cumulative might of Fortnite, stretching up until December 2019, amassed a staggering $9 billion in gross revenue.

To traverse these immersive realms, one can embark upon the journey on Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One for the Save the World experience. Yet, the grand stage is accessible across platforms for Battle Royale and Creative, extending their embrace to Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices. And in a union of destiny, the game harmoniously marked its arrival with the ninth-generation PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Game modes

Fortnite rolls out in three different game modes, all powered by the same engine and boasting a shared aesthetic and gameplay vibe.

Let's dive into "Fortnite: Save the World." This mode dishes out a co-op experience where up to four players join forces to tackle missions with a common goal. The story kicks off after an unexpected storm zaps away a staggering 98% of Earth's inhabitants, leaving survivors fending off husk-like zombies. As a player, you take the reins as a commander overseeing home base shelters, gathering resources, rescuing fellow survivors, and fortifying equipment. This equipment comes in handy for either researching the storm or holding it back. Missions yield a bunch of in-game goodies, including hero characters, weapon and trap schematics, and survivors, all ripe for leveling up through gained experience to beef up their skills.

Now, shifting gears to "Fortnite Battle Royale." Here, the spotlight shifts to a player-versus-player showdown, hosting a jaw-dropping 100-player battle royale extravaganza. You can roll solo, pair up, or form a squad of three or four. Picture this: you skydive in from the "Battle Bus," weaponless and ready to rumble across the sprawling map. Your mission? Scrounge for weaponry, resources, and even vehicles, all while dodging enemy attacks and striving to stay alive. With each passing round, a toxic storm tightens the playable area, zapping health from those who dawdle. This keeps things intense, forcing players into close quarters and sparking adrenaline-fueled clashes. The ultimate badge of honor? Emerging as the last player, duo, or squad standing tall.

Now, the "Fortnite Creative" mode unleashes your inner artist. Think of it as a sprawling sandbox where you're granted full reign to conjure any element from the Battle Royale universe onto your personal island playground. It's like having a cosmic playground at your fingertips, with endless possibilities: craft intricate battle arenas, design heart-pounding racecourses, or put together mind-bending platforming challenges. The only limit is your imagination.

In all modes, resourcefulness reigns supreme. Players wield their trusty pickaxes to tear down structures, harvesting vital resources like wood, brick, and metal. With these supplies in hand, you can go all Bob the Builder and create a variety of structures, from walls and floors to stairs. Get creative with these structures, adding windows, doors, and more. The materials each have their unique durability, and you can beef up your defenses by crafting stronger versions using more of the same stuff. "Save the World" players wield this power to craft protective fortifications or crafty trap-filled tunnels. In "Battle Royale," it's all about traversing the map, taking cover from enemy fire, or staging a tactical retreat. Flex your creative muscles and cook up innovative fortifications in "Creative."

Now, let's talk bucks. While "Battle Royale" and "Creative" are the free-spirited types, "Save the World" comes with a price tag. The financial game is fueled by V-Bucks, a virtual currency that you can snag with real-world cash or earn through accomplishments in "Save the World." In this realm, V-Bucks do their magic through loot boxes fashioned like quirky llama piñatas, cracking open to reveal a random assortment of goodies. "Battle Royale" leans on V-Bucks for cosmetic indulgences, decking out character models and unlocking the game's battle pass. This pass dishes out a progressive lineup of customization rewards as you rack up experience and tick off objectives throughout a "Battle Royale" season.

Development

Fortnite: Save the World

Fortnite's inception can be traced back to an internal game jam held at Epic Games in the vicinity of 2011, shortly after the release of Gears of War 3. While not the initial focal point, an ingenious concept emerged from the creative ferment: the fusion of construction-oriented gameplay akin to titles like Minecraft and Terraria with the adrenaline-pumping dynamics of shooter games. This innovative amalgamation laid the groundwork for what would later evolve into the Fortnite phenomenon.

The journey of Fortnite's development encountered its fair share of twists and turns. Challenges arose, including the transition from the Unreal Engine 3 to the more robust Unreal Engine 4, which brought about a period of adaptation. Alongside this technical evolution, a strategic pivot emerged, with the incorporation of deeper role-playing game elements designed to prolong the game's longevity. Additionally, the visual identity underwent a notable transformation, transitioning from a somber and dark aesthetic to an animated and whimsical art style.

However, the narrative took an intriguing turn with Epic Games' strategic ambitions. A desire to embrace the games-as-a-service model led to a significant collaboration with the influential Chinese publisher Tencent. This partnership, while influential, also prompted structural changes within Epic Games, including the departure of key figures like Cliff Bleszinski, who had played a pivotal role in Fortnite's early stages. This shift marked a new era for Fortnite, positioning it as an experimental playground for the games-as-a-service concept and adding a distinctive layer to its ongoing development.

Navigating the twists and turns, Epic Games successfully introduced Fortnite to the world as a paid early access offering in July 2017. This strategic maneuver set the stage for future plans to transition the game into a free-to-play experience, with the interim period dedicated to garnering player feedback for refinement.

As the saga unfolded, Fortnite underwent yet another transformation with the emergence of Fortnite Battle Royale. This iteration delineated the original player-versus-environment mode as "Save the World." The final twist in this saga occurred when Epic Games opted to elevate "Save the World" to a premium title, officially concluding its early access phase on June 29, 2020. This decision marked a significant juncture in Fortnite's evolution, underscoring Epic Games' unwavering commitment to crafting a dynamic and ever-evolving gaming experience.

Fortnite Battle Royale

Around the same period when Epic Games introduced Fortnite into early access, a global sensation had taken shape: PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). This battle royale juggernaut had already made waves, boasting a staggering 5 million copies sold within just three months of its March 2017 launch and sparking fervent interest in the battle royale genre at large. The writing was on the wall, and Epic seized the moment.

With Fortnite's existing foundation, a brilliant revelation occurred: they too could venture into the battle royale arena. Swiftly, in a mere two months, they conjured their own rendition, seamlessly layered atop the Fortnite framework. The fruit of this labor emerged as a parallel universe, a battle royale cosmos born from the Fortnite universe.

By September 2017, Epic was poised to unleash this creation upon the world, positioning it as a complementary experience alongside the original "Save the World" mode within the paid-for early access structure. However, a game-changing twist ensued – Epic decided to set it free, unshackling the battle royale beast known as Fortnite Battle Royale, fueled by an economy of microtransactions. The impact was swift and profound, with the game galvanizing an astonishing 10 million players within its inaugural two weeks of release. This seismic success spurred Epic to make a strategic decision: bifurcate the development paths of Fortnite Battle Royale and Save the World. While sharing the same bedrock of engine components and artistic elements, these two iterations now operated as distinct entities.

This strategic maneuver opened doors previously unexplored. Fortnite Battle Royale ventured into realms beyond the horizon, embracing platforms that the Save the World version had not yet set foot upon. Mobile devices, from iOS to Android, opened their arms, welcoming the phenomenon into their digital embrace. The Nintendo Switch, too, became an arena for Fortnite's electrifying battles, expanding its dominion beyond what had initially been conceived.

This chapter in Fortnite's saga speaks volumes about the game's meteoric rise and its creators' agility in response to an evolving landscape. The evolution of Fortnite Battle Royale not only captivated players but also exemplified the ever-evolving nature of the gaming industry itself.

Fortnite Creative

On the enchanting date of December 6, 2018, the realms of creativity unfolded within Fortnite's universe, perfectly in sync with the inauguration of season 7 in the Fortnite Battle Royale cosmos. This milestone heralded the arrival of a dynamic sandbox mode, a haven for boundless imagination.

In this imaginative realm, each player is bestowed with a private, everlasting island, akin to a digital canvas where architectural dreams spring to life. Within this realm, players flex their creative muscles, crafting structures, and masterminding the placement and manipulation of objects at their whimsy. It's an arena where the limits are pushed, and artistic visions seamlessly transition into virtual reality.

Socialization is a key facet of this creative odyssey. Players are empowered to extend invitations to friends, welcoming them into their personalized sanctuaries. Here, the possibilities are limitless. Groups engage in impromptu escapades, crafting their own brand of unofficial games that span the gamut – from heart-pounding race tracks that quicken the pulse to gravity-defying jumping courses that defy the laws of physics.

The story takes a captivating twist. Initially, the privilege of owning an island was granted to those who ventured forth and embraced the battle pass. This exclusive gateway was a treat for the pioneers. However, a mere week later, on December 13, a grand gesture unfolded. The realm of creativity swung its doors open to a wider audience, extending an open invitation to those who had not embraced the battle pass. This egalitarian move unlocked the potential for all to partake in this creative tapestry, fostering an environment where ingenuity knows no bounds.

As the sands of time continue to shift within Fortnite's universe, this innovative sandbox mode stands as a testament to the game's dynamic evolution, inviting players to rewrite the rules, reshape landscapes, and collectively forge the future of the digital realm.

Reception

By August 2017, the Save the World mode of Fortnite achieved a noteworthy milestone, amassing a player base exceeding one million, right on the eve of the Battle Royale's introduction.

The emergence of Fortnite Battle Royale became a defining financial triumph for Epic Games, prompting a strategic decision to bifurcate the development teams responsible for Save the World and Battle Royale. This step aimed to ensure optimal support for both modes, a testament to the game's growing influence.

Fortnite Celebrity Pro-Am was a charity event held during E3 2018. A team of professional gamers faced off against a team of celebrities in a Fortnite tournament.

A mere two weeks following its debut, the Battle Royale mode registered an astounding player count of over 10 million, setting an exhilarating pace. This momentum continued to surge, with June 2018 witnessing the Nintendo Switch release elevating the total player count to a remarkable 125 million.

Financially, Fortnite Battle Royale blazed a trail of its own. The initial half of 2018 alone witnessed an estimated revenue in the realm of hundreds of millions of dollars per month, reflecting the game's undeniable financial prowess. The narrative remained strong, with SuperData Research estimating a staggering $2.4 billion in total revenue for the entirety of 2018.

The saga of success extended its reach into 2019, where Fortnite's cumulative revenue surpassed an astonishing $9 billion by year's end, cementing its status as an unparalleled fiscal sensation in the realm of gaming. This financial triumph stood as a testament to Fortnite's enduring appeal, seamlessly interweaving gaming excellence with remarkable financial achievements.

Fortnite Battle Royale has transcended its gaming roots to become a bona fide cultural phenomenon, captivating diverse spheres of entertainment. Notably, a constellation of celebrities has publicly embraced the game, with reports of their active participation. Athletes have lent their unique flavor, incorporating Fortnite's distinctive emotes as celebratory gestures following victories in their respective fields.

Iconic Streaming Event and Esports Evolution

March 2018 witnessed an iconic milestone as renowned streamer Ninja took the virtual stage alongside prominent figures like Drake, Travis Scott, Kim DotCom, and NFL's JuJu Smith-Schuster. This electrifying collaboration shattered Twitch viewership records, laying the groundwork for future exploits. Epic Games capitalized on this momentum by orchestrating the Fortnite Battle Royale pro–am event, a dazzling showcase at E3 2018 that united 50 duos of esteemed streamers and professional players alongside celebrity counterparts.

Epic Games' strategic prowess extends into the realm of organized esports. Fortnite Battle Royale, an ideal canvas for competitive gaming, has birthed a series of structured tournaments that resonate within the gaming community. Notably, the groundbreaking Fortnite World Cup unfolded in July 2019, boasting a staggering $30 million prize pool and underscoring the game's evolution into a bona fide esports phenomenon.

Societal Concerns and Impact

While basking in the limelight of its success, Fortnite Battle Royale has also faced scrutiny over its societal impact. The release of the mobile client magnified concerns voiced by parents and educators alike. A prominent worry revolves around the potential diversion of student focus from educational pursuits to immersive gameplay. Furthermore, the recurring depiction of gun violence within the game has ignited discussions regarding its potential influence on young and impressionable minds.

This interplay between cultural reverberation and societal discourse characterizes the dynamic trajectory of Fortnite Battle Royale, a testament to its capacity to captivate, stimulate conversation, and leave an indelible mark.

Awards

In the year 2017, the spotlight of recognition turned toward the game 'Forza Horizon 5,' as it received nominations for 'Best Co-op Game' from PC Gamer and 'Best Spectator Game' from IGN. The following year, the game's prowess was acknowledged with the coveted title of 'Best Ongoing Game' by both PC Gamer and IGN, accompanied by nominations in several other distinguished categories, such as 'Best Nintendo Switch Game,' 'Best Mobile Game,' and 'Best Action Game,' further solidifying its place among the pantheon of gaming excellence.

Transitioning to the stage of awards and accolades, the year 2017 saw the game as a nominee for 'Best Multiplayer' in The Game Awards. This was a prelude to the visual splendor recognized by the 16th Visual Effects Society Awards, where the game's contribution was highlighted through a nomination for 'Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project (A Hard Day's Night).' Meanwhile, the 21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards recognized the game's impact with a nomination for 'Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay,' resonating within the gaming community.

Continuing the narrative, the SXSW Gaming Awards of 2018 granted nominations for 'Excellence in Multiplayer' and 'Excellence in Gameplay,' underscoring the game's multifaceted appeal. The prestigious British Academy Games Awards held within its embrace nominations for 'Best Evolving Game' and 'Best Multiplayer,' further validating the game's profound impact.

As the digital symphony played on, the 2018 Webby Awards bestowed upon the game the 'People's Voice Award for Best Multiplayer/Competitive Game,' solidifying its resonance with the player community. The crescendo of recognition reached a high note with the Game Critics Awards, where 'Best Ongoing Game' became the anthem, celebrating the game's perpetual excellence.

Stepping onto the world stage, the Teen Choice Awards of 2018 celebrated the game as the 'Choice Videogame,' a testament to its widespread popularity. This acclaim resounded across various platforms, from the prestigious BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards to the Golden Joystick Awards, where the game secured titles such as 'Best Competitive Game,' 'Mobile Game of the Year,' and 'Ultimate Game of the Year,' cementing its status as a titan in the gaming realm. The grand crescendo continued at The Game Awards 2018, where 'Best Multiplayer Game,' 'Best Ongoing Game,' and 'Best Mobile Game' were crowned, further underscoring its legacy.

The tale continued into 2019, with the 22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards acknowledging the game as the 'Online Game of the Year.' Meanwhile, the British Academy Games Awards of the same year celebrated it as the 'Evolving Game,' an accolade that highlighted its continuous growth and innovation. The recognition expanded with the Famitsu Awards, where the game was honored with the 'Excellence Prize,' and the Webby Awards, which lauded it as the 'Best Multiplayer/Competitive Game.' The Game Critics Awards echoed its enduring impact, nominating it once again for 'Best Ongoing Game.'

The crescendo of accolades reached its zenith at the Golden Joystick Awards of 2019, where the game was acclaimed as the 'eSports Game of the Year.' The Game Awards 2019 proved to be a triumph as well, bestowing upon it the title of 'Best Ongoing Game.' As the journey advanced into the year 2020, the 16th British Academy Games Awards recognized it with a nomination for 'Evolving Game,' a testament to its enduring evolution.

In the following years, the game's legacy continued to flourish. The 2021 Kids' Choice Awards nominated it as 'Favorite Video Game,' adding another accolade to its illustrious journey. Thus, the chronicle of 'Forza Horizon 5' is a testament to the game's unwavering excellence and its enduring place within the annals of gaming history.