Stage 2: Battle royale
One of the newest genres in the competitive gaming world, esports, is the battle royale. Battle royale games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite have incorporated first-person shooter elements, but this genre encompasses a wide range of gameplay approaches and skill levels, as well as an element of chance.
The birth of the battle royale genre can be traced back to Koushun Takami’s novel, manga adaptation, and the cult-favorite film of the same name. The genre’s defining elements, such as being the last man standing or a deathmatch scenario, were introduced by these works. While some may associate the genre with The Hunger Games series, one key difference is the fixed starting point for all players and teams.
Brendan Greene, also known as PlayerUnknown, played a significant role in the birth of the battle royale genre. He started with the game modification DayZ for Arma 2 and later Arma 3, then worked on H1Z1: King of the Hill. PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), developed by Greene, gained immense popularity and even attracted significant investment from companies like Tencent. Epic Games’ Fortnite further solidified the genre’s popularity by grossing millions in revenue through its free-to-play model and creative approach.
In esports, only select battle royale games are considered mainstream. Notable titles in this genre include H1Z1, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, Free Fire, and Call of Duty: Warzone.
When it comes to game mechanics, battle royales have similarities to first-person shooter games but also key differences. These include the size of the playing area, which can be significantly larger in battle royales, and the need for players to scavenge equipment from the map. Other elements like randomly chosen spawn points, a shrinking playable area, and limited inventory management add to the challenge. Most battle royales default to a third-person perspective, providing players with better visibility and strategic opportunities.
Battle royale games require a combination of skill and chance, allowing for various strategies and metas. Players can choose to engage in direct combat, adopt stealthy approaches, or utilize terrain and other players to their advantage. The genre’s variety and longer playtimes can pose challenges in esports tournaments and betting, but they also provide more engaging content for viewers.
