Even though the best mobile games generally end up on a console, there’s still a huge divide between what touchscreen gamers can play and what PC, Nintendo Switch or PS4/PS Vita owners enjoy. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite could be the title that changes the relationship.
Usually, whenever a major console character or game heads to mobile, as with Mario or Sonic, there’s disappointment, both in player satisfaction and revenue terms.
With no character luggage, the indie shooter survival game, similar to PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), has swept traditional big-name games aside to become a huge hit. Small teams have to build defenses to hold off zombie hordes, bringing a touch of strategy, tactics and resource management to the shooter genre.
Less than a year after landing on PC and console, the game in its Fortnite Battle Royale mode is arriving on mobile to cross the streams, mixing the mobile action with PC and PS4 gamers. Sony gets grumpy about letting ecosystems mix, so they’re currently blocking Xbox One users from joining the fun, but they can still play on their own with fellow Xbox gamers.
A Fortnite of fun
Live now, but via invite only (sign up here) to keep the servers from melting, early videos have already got over a million views, suggesting there’s huge interest from mobile gamers. With its cartoon looks, over gritty realism, it has wide appeal and Android users will get to join in within a few months.
The game works on iPhone 6S devices and up, with a long list of recent Android devices also supported, and with over 10 million PC or console players there will be lots of interest in how the mobile version works in comparison. And, while free to play, companies will also be interested in the revenue figures from all the extra Battle Pass content that players can buy.
Will it help nudge game developers into making sure future titles support mobile too? Here’s hoping! Certainly, expect plenty of tweaks and updates to make battles fairer between the two camps, but we hope to see you out in the field.
YouTube: Fortnite Battle Royale – Mobile Reveal Trailer
Photo credit: Epic Games
