9 Surprising Facts About Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite has changed the gaming world, bringing in millions with its exciting battle royale style and creative gameplay. Although many people know how the game works, there are still some surprising facts about Fortnite that even the biggest fans might not know. Let’s take a look at some of these interesting details about this popular game!

1. Fortnite’s Origins Date Back to 2011

Epic Games first conceived Fortnite in 2011 and swiftly introduced it at the Spike TV Video Game Awards just three weeks later. Initially, the game was envisioned as a vibrant survival world where players would explore, scavenge, build, and fight to survive. After six years of development, the press was invited in 2016 to experience a one-hour demo of the game. Fortnite officially launched in July 2017 as “Save the World,” a cooperative survival title. However, it was the release of the free Battle Royale version in September 2017 that catapulted Fortnite to global fame.

2. Fortnite Takes Inspiration from a Cult Classic Novel

The concept behind Fortnite Battle Royale, similar to its counterpart PUBG, is heavily influenced by the Japanese novel “Battle Royale” by Koushun Takami. First published in 1999, the novel unfolds the chilling tale of a group of middle school students forced to fight to the death on a deserted island until only one remains. This high-stakes narrative later inspired a film adaptation of the same name. Notably, the premise also parallels that of “The Hunger Games” series, where author Suzanne Collins acknowledged the influence of Takami’s work on her own dystopian novels.

3. Fortnite Smashed Twitch Viewership Records

Fortnite made streaming history on March 14, 2018, when it shattered the Twitch viewership record. This milestone occurred during a session where renowned streamer Ninja (Tyler Blevins) teamed up with superstar rapper Drake, NFL player JuJu Smith-Schuster, and rapper Travis Scott for a Fortnite Battle Royale game. The event captivated an unprecedented audience, with 628,000 viewers tuning in simultaneously, setting a new record for the highest non-tournament viewership on Twitch.

4. Fortnite Became the Subject of a High School Chemistry Exam

At Tippecanoe High School in Ohio, a unique challenge transformed a standard chemistry final exam into a Fortnite-themed test. A teacher promised his students that if they could get 6,700 retweets on a specific tweet, he would base their final exam on Fortnite. The students surpassed the goal with flying colors, gathering over 20,000 retweets. True to his word, the teacher crafted a Fortnite-inspired exam, making for a test that students were especially eager to ace!

5. Epic Games Takes Legal Action Against Cheaters

Epic Games has not shied away from legal battles when it comes to maintaining the integrity of Fortnite. In a notable case in 2017, the company took a firm stance by filing a lawsuit against a 14-year-old who was caught using cheats. This legal action is part of a larger effort by Epic to curb cheating in the game. They have targeted users who utilize cheat-enhancing websites, especially those that employ “aimbot” software, which provides players an unfair aiming advantage. Epic Games contends that such practices breach Fortnite’s End User License Agreement and infringe on copyright laws.

Despite implementing a robust anti-cheat system, cheating remains a challenge in Fortnite, particularly in competitive settings. To address this, Epic has bolstered its efforts by employing game observers who can identify and ban cheaters during live tournaments. While it remains to be seen whether Epic will continue its legal pursuit against cheaters, the risks associated with cheating in Fortnite make it a perilous endeavor.

6. Fortnite Sets a World Record for Most Concurrent

Fortnite claimed a Guinness World Record by hosting the most players simultaneously in a single game session. In February 2019, the game saw an astonishing 10.8 million players online at the same time, breaking its previous record of 8.3 million players set in November 2018. This milestone underscores Fortnite’s massive popularity and its ability to continually draw large audiences for its events.

7. Fortnite Was Initially Set to Be Much Darker

Originally, Fortnite was envisioned to have a much darker tone, akin to other Epic Games titles like Unreal, Gears of War, and Infinity Blade, known for their intense monsters and graphic violence. However, during development, the team reconsidered this approach, worrying that too much grit and gore might alienate some players. Opting instead for a lighter, more inclusive feel, they drew inspiration from the charming and playful style characteristic of Pixar animations. This pivot towards a more family-friendly aesthetic has paid off handsomely, allowing Fortnite to cultivate a broad and dedicated fanbase that spans young children and families alike.

8. Original Fortnite Disks Have Become Valuable Collectibles

Although Fortnite is renowned as a free-to-play title, there was a time during its initial release in 2017 when players could purchase physical game disks. These disks are now exceedingly rare, turning them into highly coveted collectibles among gaming enthusiasts. As their scarcity has increased, so has their value, with reports of these original Fortnite disks fetching over $10,000 on the collector’s market. This substantial price tag underscores their desirability and the significant appreciation in their worth as rare collectible items.

9. The Fortnite World Cup Shattered Esports Records

The Fortnite World Cup had a monumental impact on the esports industry by setting several records. Launched by Epic Games in February 2019 with a dazzling $30 million prize pool, it quickly captured the global spotlight. After six grueling rounds, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf, now a Dignitas player, triumphed as the champion, amassing an impressive 59 points—26 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Harrison ‘Psalm’ Chang. Bugha’s victory also came with a record-breaking $3 million in prize money, marking the highest individual payout in esports tournament history. Furthermore, the Solo competition featured the largest prize pool for an individual tournament in esports, totaling $15,287,500, with even the last-place finisher earning $50,000.

Conclusion

As Fortnite maintains its stronghold on the gaming world, delving into its intriguing lesser-known facts highlights why it’s more than just a game—it’s a cultural phenomenon that resonates globally. Capturing the hearts and imaginations of millions, Fortnite stands as a testament to innovation and community in the digital age. With the future of Fortnite brimming with potential, we can only anticipate more captivating developments and surprises that will continue to enchant and engage players worldwide.