Are you considering starting with Fortnite: Battle Royale in 2021 but don’t know if it’s still worth it? We’ll show you the current state of Fortnite and for whom a start might be worthwhile.
Fortnite is a PvP shooter where the goal is to be the last one standing on the battlefield and thus win the round. You will be sent to the island with 99 other players and have to fight with the weapons you find. You can enter solo, in pairs, or as a 4-player team.
Fortnite is the first game to combine battle royale with building elements. You can use building to create shelter, overcome obstacles, or seize the high ground, which promises a tactical advantage. Building is very central to Fortnite and sets it apart from other battle royales.
These things make Fortnite special:
- The unique building system
- Regular updates with new content
- A high but manageable number of different weapons and items
- Seasons that provide variety
- Battle passes with exclusive outfits and items
- Live events that tell a story
Fortnite is now almost 4 years old and has gone through several changes. How has Fortnite: Battle Royale evolved over the years, and is it still worth starting now?
How has Fortnite developed over the years?
This is how Fortnite started back then: Actually, Fortnite was released on July 21, 2017, as a paid PvE game where players had to fight against evil husk monsters and build a base for protection. But only 2 months later, the free multiplayer “Fortnite: Battle Royale” was released and established itself as the main game of Fortnite due to its popularity.
Regular updates kept the game fresh by introducing new weapons and items. Players had to constantly adapt to a new meta because the most effective way to play Fortnite changed regularly. This sometimes caused frustration, but the variety seemed to keep players engaged.
There were also major updates that significantly and long-term affected the game. For example, the creative mode was introduced in Season 7 – Chapter 1 (December 2018) – basically like Minecraft, but in Fortnite. The creative mode opened new worlds for players who could let their imagination run wild in this mode – build works, practice, or create their own islands, the creative mode offers various options.
Another development that could be observed in Fortnite were the live events, which started in Season 3 – Chapter 1 and have since been conducted at almost every season’s end to tell a story. In the first event, meteors rained down on the island, and players could experience it worldwide at the same time – this led to the story of the Visitors and the mysterious Seven.
These live events have now become so complex and breathtaking that millions of people watch them. One highlight was the live event with the black hole that 6 million people watched. For days, everyone stared at a black screen while Fortnite was down, and no one knew how the game would continue.
What is the current state of Fortnite?
What’s the current situation with Fortnite? Among players, opinions are often divided. This was evident in Season 4 – Chapter 2 (September 2020), when some players found the season with the Marvel superheroes really cool and others quit Fortnite for good because they were simply burnt out.
In the competitive scene of Fortnite, there are currently some issues – even one of the best players can no longer bring himself to play.
However, Fortnite is no longer just the simple battle royale it once was. The game offers various opportunities that go far beyond “fighting against each other and seeing who wins.” Nowadays, you can experience real concerts in Fortnite or watch entire movies. You can even find characters from other games and universes in Fortnite – some wonder if the commercialization with the crossovers has gone too far.
Where does Fortnite currently stand on Twitch? Fortnite is now in its 6th season of the 2nd chapter – the game has gone through 16 seasons already. During this time, there have been ups and downs in terms of player interest in Fortnite. In January 2020, Fortnite reached its lowest point on Twitch in 2 years – the excitement was gone, but did it stay that way?
Now, interest in Fortnite on Twitch seems to have clearly increased:
- At the peak of Fortnite (March 2018), an average of 160,000 viewers were watching on Twitch
- In January 2020, the lowest point was reached with an average of only 72,000 viewers
- In April 2021, around 132,000 viewers are watching Fortnite again on average (via sullygnome.com)
At least on Twitch, interest in Fortnite seems to have clearly increased. Overall, it seems that streamers and viewers on Twitch are lacking new games, as older games like GTA 5, Minecraft, and LoL are still being watched alongside Fortnite. This lack could be a reason why interest in Fortnite on Twitch has increased again.
Is it still worth starting now?
What about the beginner-friendliness of Fortnite? Fortnite is not that easy due to the building system, as it takes a lot of practice to use it effectively in combat. Beginners will have difficulties at the beginning when facing skilled, experienced players.
However, Fortnite introduced skill-based matchmaking in Season 10 (September 2019), which only lets players of similar skill levels compete against each other. Those new to Fortnite will initially face only bots (computer-controlled players) or weaker opponents. As long as you are still in the practice phase, you won’t be overrun by strong opponents. This also applies to returnees who haven’t played Fortnite in a long time, as their rank gets reset due to inactivity.
If you want to triumph quickly in Fortnite, you also have practice options outside of active rounds. Here, the creative mode comes into play again, as there are several maps where you can practice building and editing. This should make it easier for you to get started.
Will I understand the story if I start now?
What about the story for newcomers? A negative point for starting now could be that you may have missed too much of the story in Fortnite – assuming you are interested in it. The story of Fortnite has been told over 13 seasons and can be hard to follow if you haven’t experienced it yourself.
If you want to dive into the story, you can watch past live events on YouTube in the correct order to understand at least the sequence of events. We have summarized the entire story of Chapter 1 for you. If the story doesn’t interest you anyway, then there’s nothing to stop you from starting.
Important: To play Fortnite, you don’t need to know the story, as the gameplay itself is the focus in the battle royale.
The good thing about Fortnite is that each season offers a bit of its own story, brings new weapons, and introduces new features. All players, whether new or veterans, can always explore something new, which makes starting a new season easier.
This is the plan for the future of Fortnite
From Epic Games’ perspective, the many collaborations with major pop culture brands are a step toward creating a unique virtual world in Fortnite: a kind of “metaverse.” This is what Epic CEO Tim Sweeney stated to Business Insider – as Fortnite evolves, it should develop into “more than just a game” (via businessinsider.com).
This includes players attending a virtual concert in Fortnite, watching movies, or experiencing an event related to a new Star Wars film. So, a lot seems to be planned for Fortnite’s future.
Currently, the 6th season of the 2nd chapter is running with a prehistoric theme. According to the current battle pass, it is set to end on June 8, 2021. Until then, several updates will be released that will bring new features to the game. After that, Season 7 – Chapter 2 should start with a new battle pass and some innovations, although the theme for the season is still unknown.
Who do I recommend Fortnite to?
I have been with Fortnite since Season 1 and have experienced all 16 seasons, watched all live events, and followed the game’s development critically. I still enjoy playing Fortnite, even though not as enthusiastically as at the beginning – especially since my circle of friends no longer plays actively.
The game can be quite fun if you get really into it and also achieve success. However, I would recommend playing it with friends, as it’s often more fun that way, and you don’t feel alone and overwhelmed.
If you’re looking for a game that requires a time investment and you are willing to practice, then I would recommend Fortnite to you. What I strongly recommend are the live events and following the story, as it is quite exciting when you get into it.
However, I wouldn’t recommend Fortnite to everyone, as the game can often be frustrating once you face stronger opponents. Sometimes it seems so unfair that you lose motivation – so if you’re looking for a more relaxed gaming experience, then Fortnite isn’t for you. Alone, the game can also feel a bit repetitive over time.
If you want to try Fortnite, then grab some friends, dive into the battle on the island, and achieve your first Victory Royale! Since the game is free, I would recommend everyone to at least try Fortnite.
Eilyn Rapp
Freelance author at MeinMMO
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