Fortnite (2017) - Media Industries

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Fortnite (2017)

Fortnite is a series of free-to-play multiplayer battleground games produced by Epic Games.

Introduction to Fortnite (2017)

Fortnite was first launched in July 2017.
It is available on multiple platforms (PC, consoles, mobile, and tablets).
It is known for its mix of combat, building, and survival gameplay.
The game is aimed at teen and young adult audiences, but is played worldwide by all ages.

The Fortnite franchise

Fortnite includes several game modes:
- Fortnite: Battle Royale – 100 players fight until only one remains.
- Fortnite: Save The World – Team survival mode against zombie-like creatures.
- Fortnite: Creative – Players design and build their own islands and mini-games.
Fortnite: Battle Royale is the most successful free-to-play video game ever.

Fortnite's financial success

Fortnite made $1.2 billion in the first 10 months of release.
The total franchise revenue in 2018 was $3.1 billion
Epic Games’ value grew from $825 million (2012) to $5.8 billion (2018).
The game won “Best Ongoing Game” (PC Gamer & IGN, 2018).

Gameplay overview

100 players are dropped from a flying bus onto an island.
Players collect weapons, materials, and items to survive.
The map shrinks over time due to a deadly storm, forcing battles.
The last player or team standing wins.
Players can destroy and rebuild structures, combining combat and construction.

Game genre and style

Fortnite is a fusion of two popular game types:
- Battle games (like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds)
- Construction games (like Minecraft)
Known for its colourful, cartoon-like art style and fast-paced gameplay.
Regular updates and themed events keep the game feeling fresh.

Fortnite - Media Industries

The video game industry has grown rapidly since the 1980s. In 2014, there were 1.8 billion gamers worldwide. In 2015, sales were forecast to reach $90 billion by 2020.

Unreal engine and creativity

Fortnite was built using Epic’s Unreal Engine.
Epic allows users to download and use it for free to make their own games.
Unreal Engine is also used in major games like:
- Batman: Arkham City
- Infinity Blade
This supports creative audiences and independent developers.

Epic Games as a media institution

Epic Games, founded by Tim Sweeney in 1991, was originally run from his home.
They were famous for the Unreal Engine, named “Most Successful Videogame Engine” by Guinness World Records (2014).
Epic owns several studios including:
- Chair Entertainment
- Cloudgine (cloud software)
Tencent, a Chinese company, owns 42% of Epic (bought in 2012).

Reaching audiences

Cross-media convergence = different media forms/brands joining to promote each other.
Fortnite works with:
- YouTube and Twitch for streaming and competitions
- Marvel Studios (Avengers: Infinity War event)
Collaborations keep Fortnite fresh and in the public eye.
Epic Games also partners with famous people to reach wider audiences:
- Rapper Drake played Fortnite live on Twitch.
- NBA star Ben Simmons promoted the game.
This helps Fortnite appeal beyond traditional gamers.

Funding and profit models

Fortnite uses the “Games as a Service” (GaaS) model.
The game is free to play, but players buy extras using V-bucks (game currency).
These are microtransactions for:
- Skins (new outfits)
- Emotes (dance moves)
- Season passes (exclusive rewards)
Purchases are cosmetic only, not skill-based – but limited-time offers boost demand.

Regulation and PEGI ratings

Games must show age ratings to guide parents and consumers.
In the UK, the system used is PEGI (Pan-European Game Information).
PEGI ratings became part of UK law in 2012, overseen by the Video Standards Council (VSC).
Fortnite’s rating: PEGI 12 – “Frequent scenes of mild violence.”
- Most parents' concerns are about addiction, not violence.