How Old Is Fortnite? FAQs Answered

Fortnite is an online multiplayer game that has still retained and consistently grown its popularity in the last few years. It boasts of millions of players and thousands of viewers on Twitch and many who are newly joining the game are wondering how old is Fortnite and how it reached this level of success.

Here are some stats about the origin and history of Fortnite as well as some Fortnite FAQs that can help clear up any doubts!

How old is Fortnite?

Fortnite was released on July 25th, 2017 and as of 9th January 2024, it is 6 Years, 5 Months, 15 Days old. This means the game has been functional for 2,359 days.

In its nearly six and a half years, Fortnite has seen numerous content updates, gameplay changes, and collaborations with various real-world brands and franchises. It continues to be one of the most popular video games in the world, attracting millions of players every day.

When did Fortnite get Popular?

Fortnite’s popularity wasn’t a singular event, but a gradual rise that made it what it is today.

Early Release (July 2017):

Initially launched with the “Save the World” cooperative mode, the game saw decent success but wasn’t yet a mainstream hit.

Battle Royale Introduction (September 2017):

The free-to-play “Battle Royale” mode sparked massive interest with its engaging gameplay and unique features like building and scavenging. Streamers like Ninja playing and promoting the game significantly boosted its reach. Battle Royale mode can be said as the ‘pivotal moment’ that gave it a meteoric rise.

Breakthrough (Late 2017 – Early 2018):

Fortnite didn’t just stick to its game; it decided to level things up with frequent content updates, celebrity endorsements, and viral dances/emotes like “Floss” which pushed Fortnite into mainstream media. It topped several “Most Played” charts and broke concurrent player records.

Sustained Growth (Since 2018):

Despite some ups and downs in popularity, Fortnite has maintained a large and dedicated player base thanks to new chapters and seasons, collaborations with major franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, and in-game events like concerts and more.

Peak Player Count (April 2020):

During the Travis Scott in-game concert event, Fortnite reached a record-breaking 12.3 million concurrent players, solidifying its status as a game (or rather a platform) that cannot be ignored.

Current Landscape (2023 – Early 2024):

While it’s not at its peak popularity, Fortnite remains a formidable force in the gaming industry, constantly evolving with new features and attracting new players while ensuring its dedicated community sticks around.

All in all, Fortnite’s popularity is a combination of the Battle Royale mode, strategic content updates, interesting events, and influencer marketing/streamer marketing that took it from a promising game to a global phenomenon.

Fortnite releases consistent updates with new shop items

What was Fortnite’s First Collab?

While the “Battle Royale” mode’s launch in September 2017 was a crucial step toward Fortnite’s popularity, the game’s first official collaboration actually occurred within the “Save the World” co-op mode back in early 2017.

This initial collaboration was with Gearbox Software, developers of the Borderlands series. It offered players exclusive Borderlands-themed in-game items and characters like Psycho Bandit and Claptrap within the “Save the World” campaign.

However, when we think of Fortnite’s current scenario of high-profile and in-game event-based collabs, the first one within the famous “Battle Royale” mode came a bit later. This one took place in Fortnite Season 4 (May-June 2018) and was a promotion for the Marvel movie Avengers: Infinity War.

The collaboration brought the Infinity Gauntlet as a limited-time item, allowing players to transform into Thanos and use his powerful abilities. Plus, Marvel-themed skins and challenges were also introduced, making it a major event for both Fortnite and Marvel fans. This was received very positively and played a role in the word-of-mouth marketing for the game.

So, while the collaboration with Gearbox was the technical “first,” the Avengers: Infinity War tie-up within “Battle Royale” is generally considered the first major crossover event that set the stage for Fortnite’s future of collaborations.

Collabs and unique skins in Fortnite

When Did Crossplay Get Added to Fortnite?

Crossplay in Fortnite wasn’t a single “add-on” moment, but a rollout across different platforms throughout 2018.

Early Steps (March 2018):

A brief accidental test allowed cross-platform play between mobile and PC.

Limited Beta (September 2018):

Sony initially had reservations but agreed to a beta-testing phase for cross-play, starting with Fortnite between PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and mobile devices.

Full Rollout (September 26, 2018):

After positive feedback from the beta, Sony officially allowed full cross-play between PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices.

Later Expansions (2019 & beyond):

Nintendo Switch received cross-play access in October 2019. PC and mobile cross-play was removed in October 2019 due to competitive balance concerns. Currently, cross-play remains active between PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

So, while September 2018 marks the official full rollout of cross-play for major platforms, its journey to that point involved earlier tests and gradual expansion.

Frequent events helped boost the fame of Fortnite

Why is Fortnite So Popular?

Fortnite is popular for lots of reasons:

• Unique Battle Royale mode.
• Fun to get in for new players, and tough to master.
• Various game modes to keep you hooked.
• Regular updates and new content to explore.
• Live events and collaborations that make it stand out from its competition.
• Evolving lore and story.
• Cross-play to ensure friends across platforms can play together.
• Viral emotes and trending dances.
• Streaming and eSports popularity.

These are just some of the reasons but listing them is just scratching the surface. With the introduction of Fortnite Festival, LEGO Fortnite, and Rocket Racing, it’s clear that Epic Games wants Fortnite to be a platform more than just a game. There’s something for every type of player and considering how quickly the player base is growing, looks like Epic is on the right track.