Fortnite Sets New Player Count Record
Fortnite OG's recent release shatters its own player count and hours played records, solidifying its dominance in the gaming industry
Article Key Points
Fortnite OG launch brings back popular features and Epic's decision to return to the game's past seems to have paid off as players flocked to experience the nostalgia.
Fortnite OG's launch marked a historic milestone, as the game attracted a staggering 44.7 million players and witnessed a record-breaking 102 million hours of gameplay. The exceptional surge in player numbers comes as no surprise, considering the overwhelmingly positive reception to the Season OG reveal trailer.
In order to maintain its momentum, Epic Games is committed to constant evolution and innovation. With a weekly strategy of subtly pushing Fortnite into the future, the game aims to keep players engaged and enthralled.
Fortnite witnessed a significant surge in player numbers following the release of its OG-specific content, shattering previous records for concurrent players and playtime. Amid widespread speculation and leaks, Epic unveiled Fortnite OG, a nostalgic journey back to 2018, allowing players to relive the game's earlier days before the influx of recent updates.
Fortnite OG not only reintroduces iconic points of interest like Tilted Towers but also brings back classic items, vehicles, and weapons that were previously tucked away. Certain gameplay elements, such as swimming, have been temporarily removed to emphasize the longing for simpler times in the game's history. The decision to revisit Fortnite's past has clearly proven astute, as players flocked en masse to the battle royale to explore all the revived features and changes.
Following the release of Fortnite OG on November 3, the game achieved some impressive milestones over the weekend. According to the official Fortnite account on social media, Saturday, November 4 marked the game's busiest day ever, with a staggering 44.7 million players logging in and collectively playing for a total of 102 million hours. This surge in player numbers comes as no surprise, given the increased interest following the Season OG reveal trailer, as observed through data gathered by Fortnite.GG. The player count continued to rise, reaching an all-time high of over 5 million players. With the release of new content and positive word of mouth, it's evident that there is significant anticipation to see what Fortnite has in store with this update.
While the explosion in players is undoubtedly beneficial for the game, which continues to enjoy immense popularity, sustaining that momentum will be the key. Epic seems to have planned ahead, as the Fortnite experience will evolve and change on a weekly basis. In the first week, players will be taken back to Chapter 1, Season 5; however, starting on November 9, the game will move forward in time every week, progressing through Chapter 1, Season 6, as well as Seasons 7, 8, and finally Season 9 and X. The updates will also see the return of iconic weapons, gear, and vehicles, including The Baller, Junk Rift, X-4 Stormwing, and much more.
Fortnite
Fortnite is a highly popular video game with various modes, including the widely known online battle royale mode. In this mode, players gather items, construct structures, and compete to become the ultimate winner.
Platform(s): PC, iOS, Mobile, Xbox One, Android, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch
Release Date: July 25, 2017
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Epic Games
Genre(s): Survival, Battle Royale
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: Unreal Engine 5
ESRB Rating: T for Teen - Violence
Metascore: 78
Platforms that Support Crossplay: Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
Split Screen Orientation: Horizontal Only
Number of Players: 1-2
PS Plus Availability: N/A (Not available on Playstation Store)
Editor's P/S
Fortnite OG's launch has been a massive success, breaking player count and hours played records. This is a testament to the game's enduring popularity and Epic Games' commitment to keeping the game fresh and exciting.
The decision to bring back popular features and content from the game's early days has clearly resonated with players, and it will be interesting to see how Epic Games continues to evolve and build upon the Fortnite experience in the future.
With its weekly strategy of pushing the game into the future, Epic Games is poised to maintain Fortnite's dominance in the gaming industry for years to come.
