A recent report from the renowned research firm Newzoo suggests that the storm may be tightening around the battle royale genre, yet Fortnite remains a dominant force. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has experienced a decline in playtime, dropping from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024. This data is derived from Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

Interestingly, as battle royale playtime has decreased, shooter games have seen an increase in playtime. Together, these genres account for 40% of total playtime. Despite the overall decline in the battle royale genre, Fortnite has significantly increased its share within this category, soaring from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024. This indicates that Fortnite is not just surviving but thriving, capturing a larger portion of the market even as the genre itself shrinks.

In addition to the battle royale and shooter genres, role-playing games (RPGs) have also seen substantial growth, rising from a 9% share in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo highlights that 18% of RPG playtime in 2024 was attributed to major releases from 2023, including titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. These standout RPGs have significantly contributed to the genre's growth.

Newzoo's report emphasizes the intense competition for player attention and playtime. While stalwarts like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to hold strong, other games struggle to maintain relevance. The growth of shooters and RPGs indicates a shift in player preferences, with successful titles like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3 leading the charge in their respective genres.

Fortnite's ability to adapt and evolve, with its constant updates and expanding library of gaming experiences and genres, has likely contributed to its resilience amidst these shifting trends. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how these trends develop and how audience interests shift in the coming years.