What is Fortnite? Everything you need to know about this trendsetting game (2024)

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here

Nearly everyone has heard about Fortnite by 2023. This is a record-breaking videogame that has been played by more than half a billion players over the past few years. It was released in 2017, and even though it’s in its seventh year, Fortnite still has millions of active players on a daily basis. If you’ve ever asked yourself what is Fortnite, our detailed guide will explain all you need to know.

In this guide, we will take a look at the history of Fortnite and its development throughout the years. We will also help you figure out if this is the right game for you to play.

What is Fortnite and how does it work?

Fortnite was originally intended to be a PvE game where players team up to take down hordes of zombies (husks). This mode is called Fortnite: Save the World and it was released in July 2017. While this mode is still active, its development was slowed down due to the popularity of the battle royale genre.

In September 2017, Epic Games released Fortnite Battle Royale, which ended up taking over the world. If you’re not familiar with battle royale games, the point of them is to be the last person alive. You will join a battle against 99 other players and will have to constantly move to a smaller zone. In the end, only one player will survive and be victorious.

Besides playing Fortnite alone, you can also team up with your friends. For example, you can choose to play Duos, Trios, or Squads. In these modes, the last surviving team will be victorious, and all players in it will get a so-called Victory Royale.

What is so appealing about Fortnite, you may ask? Well, it’s the first battle royale game that introduced building mechanics. Throughout the game, you will collect different kinds of resources that will be used for crafting different builds. In essence, you can build an entire tower or house to defend yourself against enemies. If building isn’t your thing, however, you can also choose Zero Build modes, which have this mechanic disabled.

These modes can be quite intense, especially in the end game, but if you’re looking for something less stressful to play, you can choose Team Rumble. This is a building mode, but it features respawns and allows you to learn how to play Fortnite.

Other Fortnite game modes

In case you’re not a fan of battle royale or action games, Fortnite has a lot of other content to offer. While the videogame has become popular because of its battle royale mode, it has many other game modes in 2023. Here are some other modes:

• Rocket Racing – Arcade racing game inspired by Rocket League
• LEGO Fortnite – Open-world PvE game with crafting and survival
• Save the World – Progressive PvE game
• Creative – User-created maps

With thousands of Fortnite Creative maps and the vast world of LEGO Fortnite, you can have endless fun in the game. On top of that, you can purchase various cosmetic items from the Item Shop, including Star Wars characters, Marvel’s heroes, and many artists and celebrities.

What is Fortnite – FAQ

What device do I need to play Fortnite?

Fortnite is available on a PC, previous and current generation gaming consoles, including Nintendo Switch, and Android phones. You can also play it on Mac and iOS devices through cloud gaming services, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Is Fortnite hard to play?

Fortnite Battle Royale is a complex game that takes a lot of time to master. However, Zero Build modes are great for beginners and those who want to get into the battle royale genre. Furthermore, Fortnite offers many casual games with its Creative mode.

Is Fortnite free?

Yes, Fortnite is a free-to-play game. You can purchase cosmetic items in it, but they are optional and don’t give you any gameplay advantage. If you’d like to play Save the World, the PvE mode, you will have to pay a few dollars.