Everyday, new video games are released on major platforms like Xbox, Playstation, PC and newer installments into the console wars; being the Nintendo Switch and Stadia. With major titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hitman 3, Resident Evil Village and many more releasing so often, what has gamers going back to play the 2018 best multiplayer game of the year, Fortnite?

“I play the game a lot because I just find other games boring,” avid PC gamer Ashton Ging said. “I strive to get better and better, to be the best among friends.”

The Battle-Royale third-person shooter game has recorded some of the most impressive player base numbers ever, with more than 350 million players having played the game. The game was released in 2017 and has had a steady rise in popularity since then. In fact, it recorded more than 100 million new players since 2019.

“I think that the cartoon-like graphics and good character design attract and bring in new players all the time,” Junior Xbox gamer Tyler Donnelly said. “Plus the fact that the game is free to play gets more people to get it in the first place.”

For a free to play game, it sure does make a lot of money. Many people wonder how people make money if the game is free. Well, the answer lies in the most unique feature of Fortnite: the customizable characters. 

“I have put a lot of money into the game. I would say a figure in the $200 range, on different skins and items for my in-game character.” Ging said.

It is estimated that Fortnite has made more than $2 billion. With the most recent study posted in 2019 by the parent company, Epic Games, there is more likely even more revenue than what is currently listed. 

“My favorite Fortnite outfit is probably the Safari skin,”  Junior Fortnite fanboy Danny Salvino said. ”I have also probably spent well over $100 on Fortnite cosmetics over the past two or three years.”

Fortnite has to be given props for its constant marketing and partnerships. In 2019, Fortnite had the infamous crossover with Marvel. Fortnite had a gamemode that had Thanos Vs. everyone. In the highest grossing movie of all time, Avengers: Endgame, Thor and his friends were seen playing Fortnite on a gaming console. This, without a doubt, exposed Fortnite to even more potential players. 

“I believe that the constant events and such bring in a younger audience of players, but they also cause some of the older audience to stray away from the game; sometimes they do a little too much,” Salvino said. 

With all of the unique features the game has, accessibility and cross-platform play is huge for gamers. Some abilities include being able to be on your Playstation and connect with other friends on any platform, from mobile phones to VR headsets. Fortnite can be played anywhere, anytime, on any device.

“I think it is great to be able to have multiple consoles to be able to play one game,” Nintendo Switch gamer Sophia Perticarini said. ”It definitely increases popularity because you can play with whoever you want on a different device.”

With the constant updates and events put out by Fortnite, they are constantly gaining new players. The multi-console phenomenon is still continuously gaining new players to this day, almost four years after its original release date. It has the ability to draw in the masses by appealing to what they like most. It is no wonder the game is still, in many ways, relevant.