Every gamer across the world knows Fortnite. It is a global phenomenon; however, few fans know its whole history and how it became the Battle Royale Fortnite we all know and love today.

The history of Fortnite begins with Epic Games, but it was originally far from today’s Battle Royale Fortnite we know now. Instead, Fortnite began as an entirely different game about surviving a zombie apocalypse... well, sort of.

What is Battle Royale?

Fortnite Battle Royale is a free-to-play battle royale video game developed and published by Epic Games. It was released as an early access title for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Playstation 4 and Xbox. One way back in September 2017, for iOS in April 2018, the Nintendo Switch in June 2018, and an Android version in August 2018. It is a spin-off from Epic's Fortnite Save the World, a cooperative survival game with construction elements. Players start with no built-in advantages and must scavenge for weapons and armour to gain the upper hand on their opponents.

Battle Royale wasn't actually the plan

Developers started to understand that to maintain long-term interest in the game, players needed a system that included progression and itemisation, similar to other RPG games.

But issues with funding and Epic Game’s change of direction brought unexpected delays. By November of 2013, Fortnite had been pushed back and did not launch in early access until July of 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

Surprisingly the game failed to impress many critics, which was to be expected given its long development and hype for the game. Its unimpressive, cartoonish graphics and incomplete storyline - which remains unfinished even today - did not impress. However, players enjoyed the loot systems, progression, and building mechanics.

The Battle Royale beta then launched a mere six weeks after Save The World's paid early access. Within two weeks of the Battle Royale version being made public, over 10 million players were registered, and the numbers continued to climb.

One reason for the success of the Battle Royale mode in Fortnite can be attributed towards PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, which was extremely popular and had a big player base. However, its price made it less accessible to some players and, even today, it still suffers from optimization issues that were presented in 2017.

Our Battle Royale Tips

These are what you need to stand a chance of getting that victory royale, as they’ll make all the difference in your quest for survival. Be sure to keep up to date with the latest list of Fortnite weapons and the latest Fortnite map for items you should be on the lookout for too.

Limit the sound you make

One of the most important Fortnite tips is to keep the decibel level to a minimum. Enemies will have a significant advantage if they detect you with some half-decent headphones. Sprint as little as possible, as running is much louder than walking or crouching and emits puffs of smoke. Ensure your surroundings are secure too when building or scavenging resources with your pickaxe or switching weapons to set up an ambush.

Use headphones

To turn the tables on your enemies, you can invest in a decent pair of cans yourself. Since knowing where other players are is the key to winning, wearing headphones can make all the difference, even if you are lacking in loot. Keep your own noise to a minimum, and you should remain relatively well-hidden.

Be paranoid

You should be on high alert at all times because, despite the cartoon nature, this is not a game for the faint-hearted if you want to win. You should always assume there’s another player just around the corner, waiting to invite you to a sophisticated dinner date with their shotgun. If you hear a faint noise, wait. As soon as you get complacent, you will be shot and bumped back to the lobby screen.

Try to stay inside the circle

One of the most important Fortnite tips is always to be aware of the circle, forever shrinking in size, ready to swallow you. Every strategic decision should be made with your proximity relative to the eye of the storm in mind. Already in the circle once the timer starts ticking down? Great – pay attention to how it is shrinking.

If you are down on your luck and the safe zone is a trek away, getting there is your priority. If you spot another player and cannot defeat them swiftly, sneak past them.

Replenish health and shields

If you get a little pot of blue goodness make sure you snatch it up immediately because it will make a big difference to your rate of survival. Shields last for the duration of the match, but they won’t protect you from certain damage types, like falling or being outside of the circle.

Only engage when you’re certain of success

Unlike the vast majority of multiplayer shooters, the goal of Fortnite is to survive, not to get kills. This is arguably one of the most important Fortnite tips: in theory, you could get 98 kills and still lose.

Don’t loot bodies straight away

Make sure nobody else is around when pillaging a downed opponent’s stash. Firefights attract lots of attention; you can’t guarantee that your murderous mano-a-mano has not piqued the attention of nearby players. You’re most vulnerable when looting, presenting your opponent with an easy, mostly static target to fire a sniper round into your skull.

Points of interest and landmarks

Learning where to go on the island is a bit of a fool’s errand if you’re not playing regularly. This is because the map constantly changes, as Epic Games removes some areas and occasionally puts back others that are returning after a long absence. So instead of telling you where the best places are to land, it’s better to look at more general considerations.

We hope that gives you some new ideas of game tactic, and we can’t wait to see you on our Twitch channel, checking out the latest events and live gaming!