Much of "Fortnite's" success can be attributed to its flexibility. The game is updated on a weekly basis — a testament to the idea of online video games as a service, constantly delivering new game modes, new customizable items, and special events.
"Fortnite" is best known for its 100-player battle royale mode, an online free-for-all that pits a solo player or a team in a survival match against dozens of other players. But the battle royale mode was actually inspired by another game, "Playerunknown's Battlegrounds," commonly called "PUBG."
With matches lasting 20 minutes or less, the short format of battle royale fueled a competitive online spirit and provided a perfect starting point for the millions of players trying "Fortnite" during its early months. "Fortnite's" original core gameplay mode, a $20 single-player campaign called "Save the World," quickly fell secondary to building out the free-to-play battle royale mode when the game became a viral phenomenon.
Epic quickly adapted to the popularity of battle royale and two years later the company is still pushing out "Fortnite" updates faster than just about any other video game in the business. To keep players coming back over time, "Fortnite" has included a rotation of additional game types that include multiplayer favorites and fan-created modes. Players can also complete weekly and seasonal challenges to unlock customizable gear.