Fortnite

Screenshot from Fortnite Battle Royale (source: gamingbolt.com)

You’ve probably heard of the video game Fortnite. Its colorful graphics combined with the chaotic construction of stairs and walls, while bullets and rockets fly by, make it a confusing experience for some and the best game ever for others. Regardless of which side of this spectrum you fall on, Fortnite is impossible to ignore.

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Video game hit still attracts millions of players

The year was 2017, and hardly anyone was using the gaming platform Epic Games. Steam, the well-established platform, had more to offer. But then came a breakthrough in the form of Fortnite: Save the World, Fortnite Creative, and Fortnite Battle Royale. While the first two versions met with decent success, it was the third one that planted Epic Games’ flag firmly on the map of the most successful video games of all time. Whether it was the fun gameplay, the free-to-play model, or the genius of the marketing team, we don’t know, but one thing is certain: Fortnite is now among the most popular games in history. Within less than a year, 125 million new players rushed to the platform thanks to the battle royale mode, spending a lot of money on this new gaming phenomenon. The folks at Epic Games didn’t hesitate: they started reinvesting their earnings back into the game through collaborations with celebrities and well-known brands. Today, you can officially play as Eminem or Drake in the game, but you’ll need to pay for those skins. Streamers from around the world are still broadcasting live Fortnite gameplay, attracting thousands of viewers. These viewers can then purchase their favorite streamer’s skins directly in the game. Beyond that, a large esports scene serves as another magnet – every young player dreams of stepping onto the stage and competing for millions of dollars.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is an online video game and gaming platform released by Epic Games. It is available exclusively on their digital distribution platform, Epic Games, which also offers other games, including major titles. Fortnite is completely free to download and is available on PCs, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, mobile phones, and the Nintendo Switch. The game fully supports cross-play. Today, Fortnite offers several game modes, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Game modes

The term Fortnite now refers to a gaming platform offering several different games. These all run on the same engine and therefore look similar graphically. All Fortnite versions are developed and managed by Epic Games (or its subsidiaries). Fortnite: Save the World is a cooperative game where players compete against the game itself (PvE) and is the only paid mode. Up to four players can play on the same server, and their goal is to survive an apocalyptic storm. To do so, they need to gather resources, rescue survivors, manage their bases, and push back the storm if necessary. Completing missions in this mode earns in-game skins for items and heroes. Fortnite Battle Royale remains the most played of all the modes to this day. It’s an arena where up to 100 players compete against each other. The last one standing wins. The map gradually shrinks to a small point, so sooner or later, all players encounter each other. They must quickly find weapons on the game map, which changes during each game season. Earlier versions of this mode allowed building, ensuring exciting battles that rewarded not only accurate shooting but also creative strategies. However, the Zero Build rule was later introduced, disabling building. Due to the positive feedback from players, building remains unavailable in the game. LEGO Fortnite is an intriguing collaboration between two iconic brands. While the Danish toy maker LEGO releases construction sets from the Fortnite universe, players can play as minifigures in a survival sandbox game where they gather materials for crafting and building various items. Rocket Racing is a racing game born from the collaboration between Fortnite and Rocket League. The partnership of two popular game studios proved successful, and Rocket Racing offers quite enjoyable entertainment. Fortnite Festival provides musical fun in the style of the Guitar Hero video game series. Players can play several instruments, and a cooperative mode is also available. Fortnite Creative isn’t a game in itself but allows users to create their own world. Players can create any game or setting on their private island, which they can then share with others.

V-Bucks: Microtransactions and skins rule the world

Except for Fortnite: Save the World, all modes are entirely free to play. So how does Epic Games make money? Like most free-to-play games today: through microtransactions. The game features a currency called V-Bucks, which can be used to purchase cosmetic items for weapons, vehicles, and characters. Additionally, players can buy a Battle Pass, which includes numerous missions. Completing these missions earns various rewards. V-Bucks don’t have to be purchased; they can also be earned by completing daily missions. However, to afford the most expensive skins, players must grind for a long time. The Epic Games platform and Fortnite don’t offer any community marketplace (like Steam), so skins can’t be officially sold. However, they can be gifted to friends you’ve been connected with for over three days, opening opportunities for skin trading. Epic Games’ official stance on any unofficial transactions involving Fortnite skins is largely negative.

Fortnite esports

With such a popular online competitive game as Fortnite, it’s almost inevitable that a significant esports scene will emerge. The battle royale genre is characterized by a large number of players on a single server, leading to massive championships with numerous players and teams. Today, there are many unofficial leagues and tournaments with various prize pools, but everyone aspires to participate in the official events hosted by Epic Games. The Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) is an esports competition held throughout the year across several regions. It’s played in pairs, and each year thousands of teams attempt to qualify, but only a select few succeed. These teams then compete in regional championships, with the best qualifying for the international FNCS Global Championship. This year, the prize pool reached $7.6 million.

Where to download Fortnite?

The Fortnite platform can be downloaded for free from Epic Games, a digital video game distribution platform. First, you need to create an account using your email address or one of your online accounts (Facebook, Twitch, Google, Steam…) for easier registration. After downloading, you’ll have access to all game modes (except Save the World, which requires a purchase). With numerous awards and consistently high player numbers, Fortnite (primarily Fortnite Battle Royale) is one of the most successful and popular games of today. It’s no surprise – its playful graphics provide plenty of action, and the battle royale genre ensures no two games are the same. Downloading this icon of the video game industry is definitely worth it.

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Peter Broz

Article author – esports expert
Email: peter@slothbet.com

I came into contact with playing computer games long before a billion-dollar business with professional teams emerged around them. Although I never reached the professional level, I still have many acquaintances among the top esports players today. At SlothBet, I will primarily contribute to the esports section.

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