If you’ve been reading about or playing video games in the last few months, you’ve probably heard someone talking about Fortnite. Epic Games’ post-Gears of War project entered early access in July, 2017, as a co-operative sandbox survival game. These days, though, when players talk about Fortnite — and that happens a lot — it’s safe to assume they are referring to Fortnite: Battle Royale, a free-to-play mode that Epic quickly added to the game in response to the wild success of Battle Royale innovator PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Fortnite: Battle Royale cribs its structure from PUBG, much to the dismay of its creator, Brendan Greene. While the similarities between the two games can be striking, Fortnite’s cartoonish visuals and arcade shooter-style play distinguish it from its predecessor. It is also, as we mentioned, free-to-play, making it an ideal jumping off point for those who had been hesitant to invest in PUBG.
While it’s easy to see why millions of players have become enamored by the singular loop of Battle Royale games, Fortnite: Battle Royale feels at odds with that premise. You only have one life, but cautious play isn’t rewarded, and its emphasis on gathering materials distracts more than it adds. Its systems force players into combat quickly rather than building up the tension that makes Battle Royale games so enthralling.
From there, it’s a race for the best vantage points and powerful gear, both of which heighten your chances of staying alive. To keep players moving and engaging with each other, a “blue storm” progressively shrinks the map, forcing players closer and closer to each other. That’s the game: Keep moving, keep killing. The last person or team standing wins (you can play solo, as a duo, or in a four-person squad).
The first few minutes of each round typically play out as a mad dash for weapons. Most of that precious loot is found in the game’s town areas, scattered around the center of the map. As such, you have a choice to make: Do you risk dying early in the pursuit of rare weapons, or do you stay away from the pack in favor of less densely-packed areas, without nearly as much available firepower?
Though Fortnite feels unique in spots, it shares a lot of DNA with other Battle Royale games. It’s not uncommon to land in a commercial area with 15-20 other players in view. Consequently, the player count frequently drops below 75 within the first couple minutes. It’s not unusual for close to half the field to be eliminated by the time the first storm constrains the island.
This is where Fortnite’s distinctive features start to feel like flaws. Any time you fire a weapon, you give away your position. Maybe not to the person you’re firing at, but the tracers that the bullets leave behind lead straight back to you. The gunplay feels imprecise, which can lead to prolonged, scrambling firefights. Where PUBG players live and die by their ability to master precise systems, Fortnite’s mechanics leave room for chance in even deadlocked encounters.
If you’ve been reading about or playing video games in the last few months, you’ve probably heard someone talking about Fortnite. Epic Games’ post-Gears of War project entered early access in July, 2017, as a co-operative sandbox survival game. These days, though, when players talk about Fortnite — and that happens a lot — it’s safe to assume they are referring to Fortnite: Battle Royale, a free-to-play mode that Epic quickly added to the game in response to the wild success of Battle Royale innovator PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds. Fortnite: Battle Royale cribs its structure from PUBG, much to the dismay of its creator, Brendan Greene. While the similarities between the two games can be striking, Fortnite’s cartoonish visuals and arcade shooter-style play distinguish it from its predecessor. It is also, as we mentioned, free-to-play, making it an ideal jumping off point for those who had been hesitant to invest in PUBG.
While it’s easy to see why millions of players have become enamored by the singular loop of Battle Royale games, Fortnite: Battle Royale feels at odds with that premise. You only have one life, but cautious play isn’t rewarded, and its emphasis on gathering materials distracts more than it adds. Its systems force players into combat quickly rather than building up the tension that makes Battle Royale games so enthralling.
From there, it’s a race for the best vantage points and powerful gear, both of which heighten your chances of staying alive. To keep players moving and engaging with each other, a “blue storm” progressively shrinks the map, forcing players closer and closer to each other. That’s the game: Keep moving, keep killing. The last person or team standing wins (you can play solo, as a duo, or in a four-person squad).
The first few minutes of each round typically play out as a mad dash for weapons. Most of that precious loot is found in the game’s town areas, scattered around the center of the map. As such, you have a choice to make: Do you risk dying early in the pursuit of rare weapons, or do you stay away from the pack in favor of less densely-packed areas, without nearly as much available firepower?
Though Fortnite feels unique in spots, it shares a lot of DNA with other Battle Royale games. It’s not uncommon to land in a commercial area with 15-20 other players in view. Consequently, the player count frequently drops below 75 within the first couple minutes. It’s not unusual for close to half the field to be eliminated by the time the first storm constrains the island.
This is where Fortnite’s distinctive features start to feel like flaws. Any time you fire a weapon, you give away your position. Maybe not to the person you’re firing at, but the tracers that the bullets leave behind lead straight back to you. The gunplay feels imprecise, which can lead to prolonged, scrambling firefights. Where PUBG players live and die by their ability to master precise systems, Fortnite’s mechanics leave room for chance in even deadlocked encounters.
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the future: with proof ?
Joshverd: yessir, absolutely. We want Gamehag to be fun again. 
