When Fortnite was initially released in 2017, it was a PVE defense game that didn’t seem like it would be around for long. With the growing popularity of games in the battle royale genre, Fortnite decided to throw its hat in the ring. Soon it would become not only the most popular battle royale but one of the most played games in recent history. What was good for Epic Games, wasn’t the best for other companies. So many companies have tried to recreate the success of Fortnite Battle Royale and in some cases, this has led to layoffs and studio closures.
I don’t want people to think that I am bashing the Fortnite team over at Epic Games. What they have been able to do should be studied. I like to say that they pulled an ‘Apple’. They took something already popular, improved it, and became known for it. They have been able to get people to spend an astounding amount of money within their ecosystem. On top of their solid gameplay, they have a continuous content release schedule and amazing partnerships. Fortnite has become more of a platform akin to Roblocks and not just a solitary experience.
We are seeing so many companies chase the Fortnite formula, but there is a finite number of players and time to play said games. We saw Concord, a game that I thought had potential, get shut down within a month of release, and the developer was shut down soon after. Millions of dollars are being spent to create similar experiences instead of focusing on fun and creativity.
I think what we are seeing in the gaming industry was inevitable. We were seeing a decline in sales for certain titles for a while but Covid put a bandage on the bleeding. People poured money into gaming and technology during the time that we all had at home. This gave the industry a false sense of recovery which led to many gaming companies overestimating future profits. I believe that layoffs and studio closures are slowing down which is great. I also think that we will see a resurgence of the AA game that provides unique experiences and engaging stories. While Fortnite may have hurt the industry, some positives are coming from the pain.
Originally posted on Trunrd.com
