With Victory Royale after Victory Royale, it's easy to lose track of just how long Fortnite has been captivating gamers worldwide. Initially launched as a zombie survival game, it swiftly transformed into a Battle Royale phenomenon, cementing its place as a global entertainment staple. Here’s the comprehensive history of Fortnite and its age.
How Long Has Fortnite Been Around?
Believe it or not, by July 2025, Fortnite will be celebrating its eighth birthday. The game will undoubtedly mark this milestone with festivities that both look to the future and pay homage to its rich history.
Related: All Fortnite Season Start and End Dates
The Full Fortnite Timeline
Fortnite burst onto the scene with Save the World, a survival mode where players band together to build defenses against zombie-like creatures known as "husks." This was the original vision for Fortnite before Epic Games ventured into the Battle Royale genre.
The introduction of the Battle Royale mode catapulted Fortnite into a household name. With its innovative building mechanic, Fortnite set itself apart from other Battle Royale games, driving explosive growth within the gaming community.
Since its launch, Fortnite has continuously evolved, introducing a plethora of new weapons and gameplay mechanics to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
The original map, fondly remembered as the OG map, holds a special place in Fortnite’s history. Nostalgia plays a big part, but it's the map's Points of Interest (POIs) like Titled Towers and Retail Row that players cherish and enjoy revisiting.
The early seasons of Chapter 1 featured a straightforward yet effective map, complemented by iconic locations. However, the live events truly captured players' imaginations, from the rocket launch to the mysterious Kevin the Cube, a floating ice island, volcanic eruptions, and the epic showdown between the Mecha Team Leader and a monstrous creature at the end of the season. The notorious BRUTE mech was a contentious addition, challenging players, while the black hole event marked a dramatic end to an unforgettable chapter.
Fortnite concluded its first chapter with a groundbreaking $30 million World Cup, drawing competitors from around the globe to determine the ultimate champion. Bugha emerged victorious, establishing himself as one of Fortnite’s early legends. This success paved the way for Epic Games to launch seasonal championships across various regions, providing aspiring eSports athletes with opportunities to shine. Today, major regions such as NA East, NA West, Brazil, Oceania, Europe, and Asia host a variety of tournaments, including the FNCS and cash cups, culminating in the prestigious Global Championship held in different cities worldwide.
Chapter 2 brought a fresh map and innovative mechanics like swimming, boating, and fishing, along with new weapons and skins, expanding the Fortnite universe.
Chapter 3 arrived in 2022, introducing mechanics such as sliding and sprinting, and enhancing the Creative mode. This mode empowered players to design their own custom games and maps, which could be shared with the community or kept private. In March 2023, Epic Games introduced monetization for creative maps, offering creators a new revenue stream. To address the steep learning curve associated with building, Epic launched Zero Build mode, catering to players who preferred a no-build experience.
The release of Chapter 4 in 2023 marked a significant upgrade as Fortnite transitioned to Unreal Engine, enhancing the game's graphics, physics, and overall performance for a more immersive experience. Chapter 5 followed in 2024, showcasing the developers' ongoing commitment to innovation with new modes like Rocket Racing, LEGO Fortnite, and Fortnite Festival, alongside the much-anticipated first-person mode and revamped movement mechanics.
Fortnite’s continuous updates and evolving storyline have solidified its status as one of the world's most-played games. Its collaborations with global icons and live events featuring artists like Travis Scott, Marshmello, Ariana Grande, and Snoop Dogg have kept the game culturally relevant and transformed it into a global phenomenon.
Fortnite is available to play on various platforms, including the Meta Quest 2 and 3.
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