Battle Royale games, which have become a cultural phenomenon, are defined as multiplayer games that drop players onto maps with limited resources and weapons, with the aim of becoming the last player or team standing by eliminating the opposition. PUBG, released in 2017 by Brendan Greene’s PUBG Corporation, popularised the genre and has been followed by Fortnite, initially marketed as a cooperative zombie game, and Apex Legends, with a diverse range of characters and unique abilities. Battle Royale games have changed the gaming industry, spawning new games, influencing game design and fostering esports competitions, and have led to the development of new hardware.
The Rise of Battle Royale Games: A Look at Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG
Introduction
Battle Royale games are taking the gaming world by storm. These games have become the latest trend in the gaming industry, with titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG leading the pack. Battle Royale games have become so popular that they have changed the way gamers look at multiplayer gaming experiences.
What are Battle Royale Games?
Battle Royale games are multiplayer games that drop players onto an island or map with limited resources and weapons. The objective is to become the last person or team standing, by eliminating other players and surviving the battle. The play-area gradually reduces, forcing players to engage in more intense combat until only one person or team is left standing.
The Evolution of Battle Royale Games
The roots of Battle Royale games can be traced back to the 2000 Japanese movie Battle Royale. The movie inspired a number of game developers, who started developing games with similar battle royale style gameplay. One of the earliest battle royale games was the Minecraft mod, Hunger Games.
The first standalone battle royale game was PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), which was released in 2017. PUBG popularized the battle royale genre and paved the way for other popular games like Fortnite and Apex Legends.
PUBG
PUBG is the game that put battle royale on the map. It was developed by Brendan Greene and released in March 2017 by PUBG Corporation. PUBG’s popularity spread like wildfire, with many gamers hailing it as one of the greatest games ever made.
PUBG is set on an island, with up to 100 players scattered throughout the map. Players must search for weapons and items and eliminate other players to survive the battle. The game’s mechanics are straightforward, but the high tension and adrenaline of the gameplay make it a thrilling experience.
Fortnite
Fortnite was developed by Epic Games and released in 2017. It was initially marketed as a cooperative game that allowed players to build structures and protect themselves from zombies. However, in 2018, Epic Games released a battle royale mode that transformed the game into a massive hit.
Fortnite’s battle royale mode has similar mechanics to PUBG, but with added elements of building and destruction. The game’s colorful art style and tongue-in-cheek humor also set it apart from other battle royale games.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends was developed by Respawn Entertainment and released in 2019. It quickly became a hit thanks to its unique gameplay mechanics and streamlined gameplay.
Apex Legends is set in the Titanfall universe and features a diverse cast of characters with unique abilities. Players form squads of three and drop onto a map with other players. The objective is to be the last squad standing, with the added challenge of an ever-shrinking map and randomized loot drops.
The Impact of Battle Royale Games
Battle Royale games have completely changed the gaming industry. They have become so popular that they have become a genre of their own, leading to the development of new games and even influencing the design of other game types. The success of battle royale games has also led to the growth of esports, with tournaments and competitions held worldwide.
The popularity of battle royale games has also led to the development of new gaming hardware. Companies like Razer and ASUS have released custom gaming laptops and gaming peripherals tailored to enhance the gameplay experience of battle royale enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Battle Royale games have become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of people around the world playing them. The unique gameplay mechanics, high tension, and intense competition have transformed the gaming industry, leading to the development of new games and hardware. Fortnite, Apex Legends, and PUBG are currently the most popular battle royale games, but the future of the genre is unpredictable. One thing is certain, however – battle royale games are here to stay.