What is a Battle Royale game?
Like most gamers, you’ve probably heard of the concept of Battle Royale. But to define it, there are several elements that a Battle Royale game must include in order to be accepted among other titles in this esteemed niche.
What are the elements that define a Battle Royale game?
- The most defining attribute within Battle Royale games is often a large amount of participants in a single match: there is no fixed number of players required, but games usually start with dozens of participants and can go up to hundreds of real-time players in an online environment. The object of the game is simple: to be the last person standing.
- Another common feature of the Battle Royale genre is player/character motivation – you start with limited resources and collect gear to help you in your quest for survival. A restricted playing area is a key part of Battle Royale games. To prevent matches from lasting too long, the playing area shrinks using what is known as a storm or circle mechanic which gradually reduces the space where players compete. This increases the number of intense encounters. It prevents players from avoiding conflict, as they incur damage if they are outside the safe zone.
- Another key element of Battle Royale games is that you only have one life per match. Once you are killed, you are eliminated. You can then choose to watch the rest of the game or simply join a new match and start over.
Are Battle Royale games free?
The free model is a common feature of the genre. Some of the most popular titles are popular, in part, because they don’t require any purchases: just download games to your device and you’re ready to play!
Sure, a few offer in-game purchase options, but the decision is entirely up to the player.
Some acclaimed Battle Royale games, like PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), initially came with a one-time purchase to play the game.
However, the creators of PUBG later realized they needed to align with the competition, and the title now uses the free-to-play model .
H1Z1 is another example of a Battle Royale game that was purchased all at once. However, it was later renamed Z1 Battle Royale, and became a free-to-play game.
What is the number 1 Battle Royale game of the moment?
The fight to become the top title in a video game genre is like a battle royale unto itself, except it never ends and there’s only ever one player left standing.
There’s a constant fight for the top spot, but it’s usually played out between the two biggest titles: Fortnite and PUBG. These games are regularly updated with new features and special events, which keeps participants interested.
With the incredible popularity of the genre, there will always be new Battle Royale games popping up. This means that developers must continue to innovate and come up with original ideas to stay on top of the industry.
If you’re looking for popular games to try in 2023, there are a few obvious, must-try picks in our list below. That said, there is one game that helped improve and popularize the genre, and one that is well worth checking out.
So, which Battle Royale games should you absolutely play?
Fortnite
Epic Games’ Fortnite is one of the most innovative titles in the Battle Royale genre, and it helped bring the format to gamers around the world.
It is now among the top eSports titles , and professional gamers need to incorporate a complex strategy or two into the gameplay in order to prevail against their rivals.
The title was first released in 2017 and instantly became a cultural phenomenon. It drew 125 million attendees in its first year and had amassed $9 billion in revenue by the end of 2019.
It now comes with different game modes, including Fortnite: Save the World and Fortnite Creative. These two game mods provide a slightly different gameplay experience from Fortnite Battle Royale, which has allowed Epic Games to massively expand its player base.
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
PUBG was another major release in the genre of Battle Royale games in 2017, and its early access offering caught the eye that year.
Many would say that the Brendan Greene-designed game was the defining offering in the genre and also influenced the success of Fortnite.
It experienced explosive growth similar to Epic Games’ title and sold over 20 million copies in its first year.
PUBG is officially one of the best-selling PC games of all time and has amassed over $13 billion in revenue by 2023. It’s clear that PUBG and Fortnite have set the benchmark for Battle Royale games.
Fall Guys
The great thing about Battle Royale games is that they can appeal to a wider audience and it’s not always about trying to kill your opponents.
For players looking for something a little different, Fall Guys is a great option with strategy game elements worth checking out.
In these Mediatonic titles, players face up to 40 opponents of varying levels. Only a certain number of participants can pass each stage, which means that the number of players is reduced each time until there is only one left at the end.
How many Battle Royale games are there?
There are tons of Battle Royale games to choose from, with Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone being two of the most popular titles.
The number of players who are getting into these games is such that the genre is set to grow over the next few years. So, good luck and until the next battle!