Fortnite is the newly found and created survival shooter that has been completely sweeping the gaming scene. Unlike other games of similar kin, Fortnite has found commonplace between hardcore gamers and casual plays alike. The amount of Snapchats and verbal outcries of happiness over a single win is astounding. There has been another popular game of the same genre, Battlegrounds, with a much larger following, however, Fortnite has been slowly creeping up that following since its creation which was much more recent. After being able to play the game numerous times myself, I can definitely understand the hype behind it.
1. Simplicity
The gameplay calls for a very low learning curve. After one or two matches, you should be able to understand and start mastering. While you may not be the most effective at executing all aspects of the mechanics, it's easy to remember how to do everything. Switch between weapons and building materials are all hovered by what buttons you're so supposed to press without you having to commit it to memory.
The map is laid out descriptively showing exactly where each location is, where you are at, and your next objective area. The weapons are even all color-coordinated allowing for a quick understanding of how strong each weapon is without having to remember its respective damage, well unless you're colorblind. The only thing you may struggle to figure out, in the beginning, is the buttons for editing building materials.
2. Building
Every video game has their own gimmick. Some are less important than others, but they all give the game their own identity to set itself apart from others. The gimmick of building like you’re back in middle school playing Minecraft for the first time is a surprisingly great mechanic.
Being able to create an entire fort, hence the name, in the middle of a high-paced match is different from any other in its genre. Rather than barge through the front door, you can build stairs so you can crash through the roof. Instead of having to run away from a single enemy, place up walls between the two of you for some cover. The sheer potential within one game mechanic is mind-blowing.
3. The atmosphere
The great majority of popular shooters that have any competitive viability all share the same realistic and dark setting between them all. Call of Duty and Battlefield, along with other similar franchises, can only continue on for a certain amount of time until the new areas begin to feel stale and overplayed.
The atmosphere and overall scenery for Fortnite completely stray away from this stereotype. Instead of a heavily shaded and realistic, Fortnite has chosen to go with a more cartoonish and vibrant theme that continues to improve as time goes on.
The map is even smaller than other survival shooters, like Battlegrounds, which not only promotes faster-paced matches but also allows for more speed in terms of visuals and smooth playability. A break from the common mold while maintaining similar controls is a definite necessity for the gaming community.
4. It’s free!!
As of now, Fortnite has been completely free to play/download since its release. Even when the game is fully complete and comes out of early access, the game has been said to remain free. While there may be other modes or maps that may or may not be released with option to pay for them, which is just speculation, the game we have grown to love will remain free.
There are micro-transactions that you can purchase if you would like, however, they are nowhere near a necessity. This is mainly comprised of skins that affect the aesthetics of weapons and character models, not gameplay. Many have involved themselves with these micro-transactions, which has thankfully given the creators of the game some support and income.
The effect of keeping the game at no charge has been tremendous for their own marketing strategy. It has allowed the power that comes from just the word of mouth to be amplified through the minimal effort it takes to just try it. Anyone that has a mainstream console or a PC can just press the download and almost immediately get to just try it for themselves. The main reason for someone not trying a highly popular game is the cost of paying $30-$60 for just the ability of achieving a first impression.
