Kareem Pettis

Over the summer, Fortnite became one of my favorite pastimes. I started playing it about a year ago, but I wasn’t very good and I never took the time to watch tutorials. For that reason, it became a game I would play occasionally when I was tired of my usual rotation of games.

In the past couple of months, though, I started playing it with some of my friends, and it made for a more enjoyable experience. For that reason, playing with friends is something I would recommend if players are new to the game or do not want to watch tutorials. It not only makes the game a fun social hangout opportunity, but also allows players to benefit from their friends’ guidance.

That’s what I did for a while. Eventually, however, I was good enough to win matches on my own. As I learned more about the game and its culture, I came to understand why it is so popular and how it has been able to stay relevant for almost a decade.  

Fortnite is a battle to be the last player standing. Players are dropped into a map with up to 100 other players, and the objective is to find weapons to help them survive and defend themselves. Developed by Epic Games, this third-person shooter first came onto the scene in 2017. It took the world by storm, bringing in nearly 125 million players in its first year. As of 2026, it is one of the best-selling games of all time.   

The biggest feature that makes Fortnite stand out from other popular shooters, like Call of Duty and Halo, is its complete lack of realism. The website Mind Jam explains it well, stating, “the game has no blood, no injuries, and no realistic violence. When a character is ‘eliminated’ in the game, they simply disappear into pixels, reminding players it’s just a game. This lack of realism makes it much less intense compared to many other shooter games.” Hp.com goes as far as to say the game “doesn’t take itself seriously.” I think that is an important trait to have in games in general. In the case of Fortnite, it makes the game more fun because it shows that the developers are more willing to experiment and try new things.

Moreover, with every update, Fortnite collaborates with a popular IP (intellectual property), with recent ones including Sonic the Hedgehog and The Simpsons. It can be argued that such a practice somewhat cheapens the game because relies on established brands to stay relevant. However, each brand is woven so seamlessly into the game’s storyline, either through new maps or weapons, that it feels authentic and not like a quick money grab. Crowley Media Group believes that each partnership “brings a unique twist to the game.” They later go on to say, “as players engage in battles, build structures, and explore the Fortnite world, they can showcase their favorite brand collaborations, adding a personal touch to their gameplay experience.”

Even if players become “too good” at the game to the point where they are always winning in their lobbies, there are other modes and features to keep them entertained. Chapter 6, Season 1 introduced “Sprites,” which are small, gummy-like creatures that roam around the map. When equipped, players gain a special ability, like regenerative health or increased speed. New ones are constantly added to the game, so players could make a whole side quest out of collecting them all.   

In December 2023, LEGO Fortnite was released, which has proven to be one of the game’s most popular modes. This joint venture with The LEGO Group is an open-world sandbox where players can build and explore new worlds, similar to Minecraft. If you are a fan of that game or are just looking for a laid-back gaming experience, that mode is something worth checking out.

Other notable game modes include Reload, Fortnite Festival, and Rocket Racing, which was created in collaboration with Rocket League. I personally don’t play any of those modes outside of Reload, but they’ve all found their own audience and expanded the game’s reach.

In general, Fortnite is a fun, imaginative shooting game that stands out from its contemporaries with unique visuals, authentic brand deals, and a vast collection of extra game modes. It is impressive how the game appeals to such a wide market yet also remains true to its identity. Its ability to stay relevant is a testament to its staying power, and I think it will continue to be a staple of pop culture for years to come. If any of the game modes I mentioned sound interesting, Fortnite just might be the game for you.

Headline image from Wikimedia Commons