By Pierce Braun ’20

THE ROUNDUP

Fortnite, a building-based survival game that debuted July 25, 2017 has had an effect on how students now spend their free time.

The Battle Royale-style of gameplay is not necessarily a new concept, but was reintroduced by “Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds”(PUBG). Fortnite, which has a similar style of playe has now reached upwards of 40 million players across PS4, Xbox, and PC, helping them outperform PUBG’s 30 million players.

The game in itself is a sandbox, which means that the player has minimal limitations in the game, which allows them to alter the world they are in by doing things such as building and destroying structures.

Game modes include solo, duo and squad (up to four players), and some other  limited time game modes. come out every so often that include Sniper Shootout which was a game mode that had only snipers and revolvers in them and 50v50 which is two teams 50 battling it out to the end.

“It has become the place where you used to play tag with your friends and just hang out, it is basically a substitute for physically being with them,” said Brian Yslava-Molina ’20.

“My friends and I haven’t played the game for too long, yet about 90% of us actively play it together,” said Yslava-Molina ’20.

“Fortnite is unparalleled by any of the other battle royale games I have played,” said Dylan McCardell ’20

There are three styles of gameplay that users are drawn to. The Bush Camper, the Builder and the Rusher.

The Bush Camper stays within bushes along the edges of the map to avoid detection and only interacts when completely necessary.

The second style of gameplay is the Builder, which involves accessing many materials in the beginning of the game to build a large base around the center of the circle to have an advantage over people passing through.

The final style is the Rusher and this includes mastering close quarter combat with a shotgun or submachine gun. The Rusher rushes bases built by the builder so he doesn’t have to take him on from long range.

“I believe the Rusher is obviously the most skilled playing style, but if the builder has enough skill, he can combat the attack quite easily and remain in control of his base,” said Chase Jones ’19. “If my friend has a gaming system, then he has Fortnite.”

The appeal of Fortnite is across the boards for age level.

Jack Garrett ’20 said, “Every time I get home I see my brother always playing the game with his friends.”

Mr. Jose Leyba ’96 has seen his family start to participate in the sensation

“Not only do my kids play that game but they have even gotten my wife to join in on it.