A recent report from the esteemed research firm Newzoo sheds light on the evolving landscape of the battle royale genre, revealing that while the genre itself is experiencing a contraction, Fortnite remains a dominant force within it. According to Newzoo's PC & Console Gaming Report 2025, the battle royale genre has seen a decline in playtime, dropping from 19% in 2021 to 12% in 2024.

Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which tracks 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, shows that shooter games and battle royale games together still command a significant 40% of total playtime. As the playtime for battle royale games has decreased, there has been a corresponding increase in playtime for shooter games.

Despite the genre's overall decline, Fortnite has not only maintained but significantly increased its market share within the battle royale space. In 2021, Fortnite held a 43% share of the genre, which impressively surged to 77% by 2024. This growth underscores Fortnite's resilience and ability to capture a larger portion of the battle royale audience even as the genre's popularity wanes.

The report also highlights the growth in the role-playing game (RPG) sector, which has risen from a 9% share of playtime in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo notes 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.

Newzoo's analysis underscores the competitive nature of the gaming industry, where games like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continue to thrive, while others struggle to maintain relevance. The rise of shooters and RPGs, exemplified by successes like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3, reflects shifting player preferences and the dynamic nature of the market.

Fortnite's ability to adapt through continuous updates, new content, and a diverse range of gaming experiences within its ecosystem has been key to its resilience. As gaming trends evolve with changing audience interests, it will be fascinating to observe how these shifts continue to shape the industry in the coming years.