A recent report from the renowned research firm Newzoo suggests that while the storm may be tightening around the battle royale genre, Fortnite remains a formidable 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 was gathered through Newzoo's Game Performance Monitor, which analyzes 37 markets (excluding China and India) across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.
Interestingly, while the overall playtime for battle royale games has decreased, the time spent on shooter games has risen, maintaining a combined playtime of 40% for both genres. This shift highlights a dynamic change within the gaming community's preferences. However, the most striking statistic from the report is Fortnite's dominance within the battle royale genre. Despite the genre's decline, Fortnite's share within it has surged from 43% in 2021 to an impressive 77% in 2024, indicating its resilience and growing popularity.
Beyond battle royales, the report also notes significant growth in the role-playing game (RPG) sector, which saw an increase from a 9% share of playtime in 2021 to 13% in 2024. Newzoo highlighted that 18% of the time spent on RPGs in 2024 was attributed to major 2023 releases such as Baldur's Gate 3, Diablo IV, Honkai: Star Rail, Hogwarts Legacy, and Starfield. This growth underscores the expanding appeal of RPGs and their ability to capture gamers' attention.
The gaming landscape is intensely competitive, with titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends continuing to vie for player engagement. Meanwhile, other games struggle to maintain relevance. The rise of shooters and RPGs suggests a broadening of player interests, with standout titles like Marvel Rivals and Baldur's Gate 3 exemplifying success in these genres.
Fortnite's ability to adapt and evolve, with its constant stream of updates and expanding universe of gaming experiences, has evidently helped it withstand the shifting trends. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to observe how these trends develop and how audience preferences shape the future of gaming.
