#24: Fortnite (2017)
A battle royale game became a hangout, and that shift says a lot about modern play. Fortnite Battle Royale launched in 2017 from Epic Games, after Fortnite had first appeared as a cooperative survival-building game. Its mix of shooting, building, colorful skins, seasonal changes, dances, and constant updates made it more than a competition to be the last player standing. Friends logged in to talk, watch, perform, and be part of whatever was happening that week. In-game live events pushed the idea further, from dramatic map changes to concerts and pop-culture crossovers.
