Fortnite 5 Years Later - Becoming a Worldwide Phenomenon

gamerant.com:

Success in the entertainment world is often measured by a few key factors, with money, popularity, and worldwide recognition being the big three; by these measurements, Fortnite is one of the most successful entertainment properties ever created. Released on September 26, 2017, Fortnite changed the video game industry forever, popularizing the live-service model, and revolutionizing the free-to-play battle royale scene. Fortnite was an instant hit on launch, and now, all these years later, it's become a global phenomenon.

Epic Games never expected Fortnite's Battle Royale mode to be as unfathomably popular as it now is. Originally, Fortnite Battle Royale was just a side expansion for the base Fortnite Save the World mode, in which players survived against hordes of cartoony enemies, using building mechanics to gain the upper hand. But when Fortnite's Battle Royale mode launched in September 2017, and gained 10 million players in just two weeks, Epic quickly shifted focus, and doubled down on the game that would soon take over the world.

Fortnite: Who is Meow Skulls?

Back in 2017, the battle royale genre was in its infancy. 2015 saw Z1 Battle Royale hit early access, with The Culling releasing just a year later. While these games saw some mainstream attention, they were far too simplistic and inaccessible to make a significant splash. In March 2017, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds launched, and soon became the first truly popular battle royale title. But PUBG still wasn't the most high-quality experience, with some rough visuals, half-baked shooting mechanics, and a slew of technical issues.

In September 2017, Fortnite's Battle Royale mode launched, and it didn't take long for the gaming world to stop and take notice. Developed