Fortnite has taken the gaming world by storm, captivating millions of players with its unique blend of battle royale action and creative gameplay. While many are familiar with the basics of the game, there are some surprising facts about Fortnite that may leave even the most loyal fans surprised, so let’s delve into some lesser-known facts about this gaming phenomenon!
1. Fortnite Has Been In Existence Since 2011
In 2011, Epic Games came up with the idea for Fortnite and, only three weeks after its conception, the game was previewed at the 2011 Spike TV Video Game Awards. The game was initially described as “a world where you explore, you scavenge, you build and ultimately you survive.” Finally, four years later, Epic allowed members of the press to try out an hour-long demo. The game was initially released as a cooperative survival game called "Save the World" in July 2017, with the free Battle Royale version being released in September of that same year. It was then that the game skyrocketed in immense popularity.
2. Viewership Records Were Set by Fortnite Players.
On March 14, 2018, Fortnite broke the Twitch viewership record when the incredibly popular streamer, Ninja (Tyler Blevins) played Fortnite Battle Royale with Drake, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Travis Scott on Twitch. A staggering 628,000 people tuned in to watch the foursome play, setting a non-tournament Twitch viewership record.
3. Fortnite Is Inspired By a Book.
Fortnite Battle Royale, along with PUBG, draws inspiration from the Japanese film 'Battle Royale'. The film depicts a scenario where a class of middle school students is trapped on an isolated island and must engage in a fight to the death until only one survivor remains. This movie is based on the 1999 novel written by Japanese author Koushun Takami. It is worth noting that the plot of 'Battle Royale' bears similarities to 'The Hunger Games' series, as author Suzanne Collins also drew significant inspiration from "Battle Royale" when creating her own work.
4. Epic Games could sue you for cheating.
Epic Games has faced significant controversy regarding its actions against cheaters. In 2017, the company filed a lawsuit against a 14-year-old boy who was caught cheating in their game. This was part of a broader initiative by Epic Games to combat cheating in Fortnite. They took legal measures against individual users accused of using cheat websites to gain an unfair advantage, specifically through the use of "aimbot" modifications. Epic Games argued that such modifications violated Fortnite's End User License Agreement and the Copyright Act.
Despite various efforts to prevent cheaters from disrupting the game, Fortnite's anti-cheat system remains a significant issue, particularly in competitive gameplay. As a response, Epic Games has expanded its workforce by hiring game observers who can ban cheaters in real time during tournaments. It is uncertain whether they will continue to prosecute cheaters in the future, but I assure you that engaging in cheating is not worth the risk.
5. Fortnite was a chemistry Final Exam.
At Tippecanoe High School in Ohio, one of the teachers made a bet with his students that he’d make their exam about Fortnite if their tweet below could get 6,700 retweets. The tweet was retweeted over 20,000 times and the teacher gladly honored the bet. Now that’s an exam I could pass with flying colors!
6. The Game Was Almost Super Creepy.
Epic Games' other series, such as Unreal, Gears of War, and Infinity Blade, are known for their gritty atmosphere, featuring intense monsters and graphic violence. Initially, the design of Fortnite was intended to follow a similar path. However, the designers expressed concerns that the gritty and gory elements might eventually dampen the user experience. As a result, they opted for a more family-friendly direction, drawing inspiration from the playful style often associated with Pixar animations. This decision has proven to be highly successful, as Fortnite has amassed a massive player base, appealing to both young children and families.
7. Fortnite Holds the World Record for the Most Concurrent Players in a Single Game Session.
Fortnite holds the Guinness World Record for the most concurrent players in a single game session. In February 2019, it reached a jaw-dropping peak of 10.8 million players, surpassing its own record of 8.3 million players set in November 2018.
8. The Fortnite World Cup Broke Multiple Esports Records.
The Fortnite World Cup made a significant impact on the esports scene, breaking numerous records. When Epic Games introduced the Fortnite World Cup in February 2019, it captured attention with its impressive $30 million prize pool. Following six intense rounds, the now Dignitas player, Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf emerged as the champion, securing an impressive 59 points and finishing 26 points ahead of Harrison 'Psalm' Chang, who claimed second place. Notably, Bugha received a staggering $3 million in prize money, setting a new record for the highest payout to a single player in an esports tournament. It’s also worth mentioning that the Solo competition boasted the largest individual tournament prize pool in esports history, with a total of $15,287,500, with even the last-place player receiving $50,000.
9. Original Fortnite Disks Can Be Worth a Lot of Money.
Fortnite is widely known as a free-to-play game, allowing players to simply download and start playing without any cost. However, during its initial release in 2017, players also had the option to purchase physical game disks. These disks have become increasingly rare and sought after by enthusiasts, making them valuable collectible items. In fact, there have been reports of fans purchasing these Fortnite disks for prices exceeding $10,000, which highlights their significant price appreciation as rare collectibles.
Conclusion
As Fortnite continues to dominate the gaming landscape, it's fun to uncover the lesser-known facts that contribute to its success. Fortnite has proven to be more than just a game, it’s become a cultural phenomenon that has captured the hearts and minds of millions worldwide. As we eagerly await what the future holds for Fortnite, one thing is certain: this game will continue to surprise and captivate us with its ever-evolving world of surprises.
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