Fortnite's gender demographics show that 28.5% of players are female, while 71.5% are male, highlighting a predominantly male player base in the popular game.

How many people play Fortnite? After bursting onto the scene in 2017, Fortnite has since become a worldwide phenomenon, amassing 650 million players across the globe as of November 2023, up from 400 million in May 2021. Why is Fortnite so popular? The reasons Fortnite has become such a global hit are clear. Not only is the game free to play, but it is also available on most gaming platforms. On top of this, Fortnite's most popular gameplay mode is the battle royale mode, in which up to 100 players fight it at once. This means that the re-playability of the game is infinite – each game is unique. Keeping players engaged with live services Fortnite Battle Royale is also a live service game, meaning that the game receives regular content updates to keep players engaged. Each season of the game roughly lasts 10 weeks and features events such as online concerts, and cosmetic changes. The game’s current iteration is called "鬼HUNTERS (Demon HUNTERS)" with a theme around yōkai, hunters and Japanese culture. Live service games are here to stay By offering cross-platform, multiplayer gaming with a live service schedule, Fortnite covers two of the biggest gaming industry trends, which the majority of the industry intend to follow. A 2023 of global gaming studios found that more than nine in ten studios were either working on or intending to release a live services title. With regular, cadenced, and themed updates to free-to-play games, studios motivate players to keep returning and, eventually, spend not only time but also money on the game. This seems to work for the parent company Epic Games – Fortnite was one of the most downloaded PlayStation F2P game in the EU and North America in 2024.

Most Fortnite players spend less than 10 hours a week playing, with 36% playing less than 5 hours and 34% playing 6 to 10 hours. Meanwhile, 17% play 11 to 15 hours, 8% play 16 to 20 hours, and only 5% play more than 21 hours a week.

First released in 2017, the battle royale game Fortnite has become popular with audiences worldwide. The game also has a sizeable eSports segment, and Kyle Giersdorf, also known as Bugha, is the most successful Fortnite eSports player with lifetime earnings from the game of 3.73 million U.S. dollars. Second-ranked David Wang, also known as Aqua, has accumulated about 2.19 million U.S. dollars in winnings from the game.

The Metaverse market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to reach a substantial size exceeding $116.74 million by 2025 and exhibiting a remarkable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 41.83%. This burgeoning sector is driven by several key factors. Firstly, advancements in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) hardware are creating increasingly immersive and engaging experiences. Secondly, the integration of social media, particularly through targeted advertising within metaverse platforms, is fueling user engagement and market expansion. The rise of virtual live entertainment, exemplified by successful platforms like Epic Games and Roblox, is further attracting significant user bases and driving revenue generation. Finally, the expansion of gaming services, offering diverse and interactive experiences within metaverse environments, constitutes a major growth catalyst. The market is segmented across diverse end-user industries, including gaming, media & entertainment, commercial applications (virtual offices, training simulations), retail (virtual showrooms, immersive shopping), and others. Major players like Fortnite, EA Sports, AWS, Qualcomm, Oculus, Vive, Epic Games, Roblox, Facebook (Meta), Unity, Steam, and Itch.io are actively shaping this dynamic landscape, investing heavily in technological advancements and content creation to capture market share. The forecast period from 2025 to 2033 promises even more significant expansion. While precise regional market share data is unavailable, it's reasonable to expect North America and Europe to initially hold the largest shares, given their advanced technological infrastructure and strong adoption rates of related technologies. However, Asia's rapid technological development and immense population present significant growth potential, potentially surpassing other regions in the later years of the forecast period. The continued development of user-friendly interfaces, enhanced graphic capabilities, and broader accessibility will be crucial in driving further market penetration across all regions. Challenges such as addressing concerns regarding data privacy, cybersecurity, and the potential for digital addiction will require proactive solutions to ensure sustainable and responsible market development. Recent developments include: May 2024: Grand Cayman-based Web3 firm Mai Labs unveiled its metaverse platform, 'Mayaaverse', in India. During the launch event held in Delhi, the company also rolled out the Lumyn XR, a virtual reality headset crafted for deep immersion in the digital realm. Through these innovations, Mai Labs is making its mark in Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, and the metaverse., February 2024: The Royal Government of Bhutan has launched a metaverse platform named Bhutanverse. This virtual space provides a computer-generated environment, enabling global users to experience Bhutan digitally. The metaverse will showcase the country's culture, history, and philosophy, accessible from users' homes. It will feature Bhutanese motifs, art, and architecture. Additionally, a creative space has been developed to offer interactive quests, where metaverse avatars can engage in mini-games based on compelling storylines centered around Bhutan’s history and folklore.. Key drivers for this market are: Favorable trends such as convergence of games and social media platforms, Technological advancements in hardware and networking. Potential restraints include: Favorable trends such as convergence of games and social media platforms, Technological advancements in hardware and networking. Notable trends are: Gaming Segment Accounted for the Largest Market Share.

Mobile Shooter Market Outlook

The global mobile shooter market size was valued at approximately USD 8.5 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 24.3 billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.5%. This significant growth can be attributed to several factors, including advancements in mobile technology, increasing internet penetration, and the rising popularity of mobile games among various age groups.

One of the primary growth factors driving the mobile shooter market is the continuous evolution and improvement of mobile hardware. Modern smartphones come equipped with powerful processors, high-resolution displays, and advanced graphics capabilities, which enhance the gaming experience and make mobile shooter games more appealing. These technological advancements allow for more complex and visually stunning games, which attract a larger audience and drive market growth.

Additionally, the increase in internet penetration and the widespread availability of high-speed mobile networks, such as 4G and the emerging 5G technology, have significantly contributed to the growth of the mobile shooter market. High-speed internet enables seamless online multiplayer experiences, which are a crucial aspect of many mobile shooter games. The ability to play games online with friends and competitors from around the world adds to the appeal and popularity of these games, further boosting market growth.

Another key growth factor is the changing demographics and preferences of gamers. The mobile gaming market is no longer limited to a younger audience; it now includes a diverse range of age groups, including adults who grew up playing video games and continue to enjoy them. The convenience of mobile gaming, which allows people to play anytime and anywhere, has also played a significant role in attracting a broader audience. This expanding demographic base is driving the demand for mobile shooter games and contributing to the overall market growth.

The Battle Royale Game genre has become a significant driver of growth within the mobile shooter market. This genre, known for its intense, last-man-standing gameplay, has captivated a global audience, offering both competitive and casual players an engaging experience. The success of games like PUBG Mobile and Fortnite in this category is a testament to the genre's widespread appeal. These games provide players with dynamic environments and strategic challenges, fostering a sense of community and competition. The social and interactive elements of Battle Royale Games, such as teaming up with friends or competing against players worldwide, have further contributed to their popularity and market expansion.

From a regional outlook, the Asia Pacific region holds a dominant position in the mobile shooter market, driven by countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, where mobile gaming is highly popular. North America and Europe also represent significant markets due to their well-established gaming industries and high consumer spending on digital entertainment. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America regions are expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years, fueled by increasing smartphone adoption and improved internet infrastructure.

Game Type Analysis

The mobile shooter market can be segmented by game type into First-Person Shooter (FPS), Third-Person Shooter (TPS), Battle Royale, Tactical Shooter, and others. Each game type offers unique gameplay mechanics and appeals to different segments of the gaming community. The First-Person Shooter (FPS) segment is particularly popular due to its immersive gameplay experience, where players view the action through the eyes of the protagonist. FPS games like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile have garnered massive followings and continue to dominate the market. The realistic graphics and engaging gameplay of FPS games contribute significantly to the market's overall growth.

The Third-Person Shooter (TPS) segment also holds a substantial market share. These games offer a broader field of view and allow players to see their avatars, which can enhance the gameplay experience for some users. TPS games like Fortnite and Garena Free Fire have become immensely popular, especially among younger gamers. The success of these games has led to increased investment in developing high-quality TPS games, which further drives market growth.

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A survey among women aged 12 to 26 in the United States published in May 2025 found that Fortnite was their favorite entertainment brand, named by **** percent of respondents from this demographic. Marvel ranked second, followed by Rick and Morty. ***** out of the highest-ranking brands among young women were video games.

Battle Royale Games Market Outlook

The global battle royale games market size was valued at approximately USD 8.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 22.4 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9% during the forecast period. This remarkable growth is primarily driven by increasing internet penetration, rapid advancements in gaming technology, and the rising popularity of eSports, which have collectively expanded the reach and appeal of battle royale games globally.

One of the key growth factors in the battle royale games market is the increasing availability and affordability of high-speed internet. As more regions around the world gain access to reliable internet connections, the potential player base for online multiplayer games, including battle royale games, expands significantly. Improved broadband infrastructure enables seamless gameplay experiences, thereby attracting more players to the genre. Additionally, the growing adoption of 5G technology is expected to further enhance the gaming experience by reducing latency and enabling faster data transfer, which could drive the popularity of battle royale games even further.

Another major factor contributing to the growth of the battle royale games market is the continuous development and integration of advanced gaming technologies. Innovations such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are being increasingly incorporated into game design and development. These technologies enhance the immersive experience, making battle royale games more engaging and realistic. For instance, AI can be used to create more intelligent non-player characters (NPCs) and dynamic environments, while VR and AR can provide players with a more immersive and interactive gaming experience.

The rise of eSports has also played a significant role in the growth of the battle royale games market. The competitive nature of battle royale games makes them well-suited for eSports tournaments, which have gained immense popularity in recent years. Major tournaments such as the Fortnite World Cup and PUBG Global Championship attract millions of viewers worldwide, boosting the visibility and appeal of battle royale games. The increasing investment in eSports by sponsors, advertisers, and media companies further fuels the market growth, as it provides additional revenue streams and promotes the genre to a wider audience.

In the context of modern warfare and gaming, the concept of the Digital Battlefield has emerged as a significant trend. This term refers to the integration of digital technologies in both military operations and gaming environments, creating a seamless blend of virtual and real-world experiences. In the gaming industry, particularly within the battle royale genre, the Digital Battlefield is manifested through advanced graphics, real-time data analytics, and immersive gameplay that mirrors real-life combat scenarios. This evolution not only enhances the gaming experience but also attracts a diverse player base seeking realistic and strategic gameplay. As the line between digital and physical realms continues to blur, the Digital Battlefield concept is expected to further influence the development and popularity of battle royale games, offering players new levels of engagement and interaction.

From a regional perspective, North America and Asia Pacific are the leading markets for battle royale games. North America, with its advanced gaming infrastructure and high disposable income, represents a significant share of the market. Meanwhile, Asia Pacific, particularly countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, is witnessing rapid growth due to the large population of young gamers, increasing smartphone penetration, and the popularity of mobile gaming. Europe also holds a substantial share of the market, driven by the strong gaming culture and high internet penetration in the region. Other regions like Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are showing promising growth prospects as internet connectivity and gaming infrastructure continue to improve.

Platform Analysis

The battle royale games market is segmented by platform into PC, console, and mobile. Each platform offers unique advantages and has a distinct player base, contributing to the overall growth and diversity of the market. The PC segment continues to hold a significant share of the market, driven by the superior graphics, processing power, and customizable gaming

The First-Person Shooter (FPS) game market is a dynamic and lucrative sector within the broader gaming industry. While precise market size figures aren't provided, considering the prominence of major players like Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty), Electronic Arts (Battlefield), and Epic Games (Fortnite), and the consistent popularity of the genre, a reasonable estimate for the 2025 market size could be around $15 billion USD. This is based on the understanding that FPS games consistently represent a significant portion of the overall gaming market, and the inclusion of mobile FPS games significantly broadens this market. A Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% over the forecast period (2025-2033) seems plausible given ongoing technological advancements (VR/AR integration), increasing accessibility via mobile platforms, and the enduring appeal of competitive gameplay. Key drivers include the continuous release of high-quality titles, the rise of esports, and the expanding reach of gaming into new demographics. Trends point towards increasing focus on immersive experiences through advanced graphics and realistic physics, the growth of battle royale subgenres, and the integration of cross-platform play. However, restraints could include market saturation in certain segments, the challenge of maintaining consistent player engagement, and the need to adapt to evolving player preferences. Segmentation by application (individual/family, competitive, educational) and platform (console, PC, mobile) highlights the diverse avenues for growth. The competitive landscape is highly consolidated, with established players dominating, but independent studios also continue to innovate and carve out niches. Geographic distribution shows strong performance in North America and Europe, but emerging markets in Asia Pacific and other regions offer significant untapped potential. The future of the FPS gaming market hinges on consistent innovation and adapting to changing player demands. The incorporation of new technologies like cloud gaming and advancements in AI to generate more dynamic and challenging gameplay experiences are crucial. Maintaining a balance between established franchises and fostering the growth of fresh IPs will be key to sustainable growth. The continued evolution of esports and the growth of streaming platforms will further propel market expansion. Strong marketing and engagement strategies are crucial to navigate market saturation and retain player loyalty in an increasingly competitive landscape. Geographical expansion into less saturated markets will also provide opportunities for significant growth in the coming years. Understanding the nuanced needs of each market segment, including those seeking casual entertainment and hardcore competitive experiences, is pivotal for success.

The online multiplayer third-person action game market is a dynamic and rapidly expanding sector of the gaming industry. Driven by advancements in technology, increasing internet penetration, and the growing popularity of esports, this market is experiencing significant growth. While precise figures for market size and CAGR are not provided, based on industry trends and the success of prominent titles within this genre (e.g., Grand Theft Auto Online, Red Dead Online, Fortnite), a reasonable estimation would place the 2025 market size at approximately $15 billion USD. Considering the consistent innovation in gameplay mechanics, enhanced graphics, and the expansion into new platforms (e.g., cloud gaming), a conservative Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12% for the period 2025-2033 is plausible. This growth is fueled by several key drivers, including the rising demand for immersive and interactive gaming experiences, the increasing adoption of subscription-based models, and the ever-evolving competitive landscape of esports. The market is segmented by game type (Client Game, Mobile Game) and player demographics (Under 18, 18-35, Above 35). Geographic segmentation reveals strong market presence in North America and Europe, with Asia Pacific also demonstrating significant growth potential driven by expanding internet access and a burgeoning gaming community. However, potential restraints include the high development costs associated with AAA titles and the increasing competition among established and emerging game developers. The success of key players such as Rockstar North, Naughty Dog, and others listed highlights the importance of high-quality game development and compelling online features. The ability to foster a strong community and consistently update content are vital for sustained success in this competitive landscape. Future market trends point towards increasing integration of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, along with the expansion into the metaverse, further boosting growth and immersion. The continued evolution of multiplayer features, including cross-platform play and enhanced social interactions, will be crucial for maintaining player engagement and attracting new players. Regional variations in market penetration will continue to be influenced by factors such as economic growth, internet infrastructure, and cultural preferences.

The size of the Africa Gaming market was valued at USD XXX Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD XXX Million by 2032, with an expected CAGR of 11.62% during the forecast period.This is a rapidly growing Africa gaming market, spurred by increasing internet penetration, the adoption of smartphones, and youthfulness coupled with technological innovation.It spans from video games to mobile games, and further extends to the participation of players in esports and online gaming. These all are activities that have entertaining, socializing, and economic benefits to individuals across the continent. It ranges from independent game developers to big international gaming companies and is growing with increasing investments and attention by international players. Recent developments include: November 2022: rain, South Africa's 4G and 5G data network operator, stated the signing of a partnership agreement with NVIDIA to bring high-performance cloud gaming to South Africa with GeForce NOW, NVIDIA's premium cloud gaming service, which seamlessly streams PC games from the world's most potent GeForce-powered servers in the cloud at ultra-low latency. This partnership will allow millions of South African users to get the best gaming experience and access the top gaming titles and a streaming library of over 1400 games like A Plague's Tale: Requiem and Cyberpunk 2077 with over one hundred free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Genshin Impact., November 2022: Yandex makes its way to the Middle East and North Africa region, presenting a new service - Yandex Games: a launchpad for game-makers and a catalog of brand new HTML5 games. The platform is mainly available for creators and game developers in the MENA region, providing them with an excellent opportunity to monetize and share their game projects. The platform holds more than 10 thousand games in 70 different languages. The set of games offers more than 30 genres, including action games, puzzles, races, and games for two.. Key drivers for this market are: Growth in Young Population, Improvement in Technology and Internet Network Access. Potential restraints include: Issues such as Piracy, Laws and Regulations, and Concerns Relating to Fraud During Gaming Transactions. Notable trends are: Improvement in Technology and Internet Network Access.

The esports market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to reach $2.11 billion in 2025 and maintain a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20.05% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers. Increased viewership and engagement across platforms like Twitch and YouTube are creating a larger audience for professional gaming competitions. Simultaneously, the rise of mobile gaming and the accessibility of esports through mobile devices are broadening participation and viewership demographics. Strategic investments from major players like Tencent Holdings Ltd (through Riot Games), Activision Blizzard, and Electronic Arts are further propelling market development through improved game production, enhanced tournament infrastructure, and strategic marketing initiatives. The diversification of revenue streams, encompassing media rights, advertising and sponsorships, merchandise and ticket sales, and other revenue models, adds to the market's resilience and growth potential. Geographic expansion, particularly within rapidly developing esports markets in Asia-Pacific, is another crucial factor contributing to the market's expansion. However, challenges such as the need for standardized regulations and addressing concerns related to player health and well-being, especially concerning burnout and mental health, need to be addressed to ensure sustainable growth. The competitive landscape is dynamic, with established companies and emerging startups vying for market share. The segmentation of the esports market, categorized by revenue model and streaming platform, offers valuable insights into current market dynamics. The Media Rights segment is likely the largest contributor, followed by Advertising and Sponsorships, reflecting the significant value placed on broadcasting rights and brand association within the esports ecosystem. The dominance of Twitch and YouTube as streaming platforms underlines their importance in delivering content to the global esports audience. However, the emergence of other platforms such as DouYu and Hayu suggests increasing competition and innovation in content delivery. Regional analysis reveals that North America and Europe currently hold the largest market shares, but rapid growth in Asia-Pacific markets presents significant future opportunities. This region's high mobile penetration and burgeoning gaming culture are expected to fuel substantial expansion in the coming years. Furthermore, effective brand partnerships and the development of new, engaging game titles will play a pivotal role in sustaining the esports market's impressive growth trajectory. Recent developments include: January 2022 - A new category of 1440p NVIDIA G-SYNC esports screens and seven new games benefit from low latency thanks to NVIDIA Reflex. Since reducing system latency is recognized by gamers and game developers as essential to a quality gaming experience, the NVIDIA Reflex low latency ecosystem has grown significantly over the past year. Eight top-ten competitive shooters, including Apex Legends, Valorant, and Fortnite, support Reflex. Each month, more than 20 million GeForce gamers battle with Reflex ON. More than 50 mouse and screens support their Reflex Analyzer, enabling players to assess system latency quickly. Such developments are expected to flourish the esports market in the forecast period., February 2022 - Nintendo delivered its first Direct event of 2022 in a 40-minute presentation that featured several brand-new games and remakes. Highlights from Nintendo Direct 2022: Switch Sports, Mario Strikers, and announcements of other games. The market is expected to expand due to the release of multiple games.. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Popularity of Video Games, Growing Awareness about eSports. Potential restraints include: Increasing Popularity of Video Games, Growing Awareness about eSports. Notable trends are: Advertising to be the Largest Sources of eSports Revenue.

Games published for the major game consoles are the biggest source of revenue in the Computer Game Publishing industry. However, social games played online and on mobile phones are becoming more significant. Video games are played by all age groups and demographics, offering publishers a wide potential market. Mobile phone gaming has made games more accessible for people who would otherwise not be inclined to buy console or PC games. User-friendly devices are encouraging older generations to play games. Industry revenue is estimated to climb at a compound annual rate of 1.9% over the five years through 2024-25 to reach £1.1 billion. Each new generation of consoles typically results in cyclical sales growth as consumers upgrade to the newest machines and games. The industry was unaffected by the pandemic and was supported by the release of the next generation of consoles, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X, launched in November 2020. The ninth generation of consoles has boosted the industry tremendously, with regular successful games published each year since its launch. Another development that emerged was the innovative gaming model introduced by the free-to-play game Fortnite, which reaped substantial returns through in-game purchases. Publishers also capitalised on selling additional content like maps and missions to gamers for a fee, further expanding their revenue streams. Revenue is forecast to jump by 0.9% in 2024-25. The average industry profit margin is expected to remain unchanged. Game sales are likely to flourish as consumers respond to games released on the latest generation of consoles and users continue to make the move to the latest consoles. Industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.9% to reach £1.2 billion in 2029-30. The industry is likely to rely more on microtransactions and freemium models to drive revenue, while also exploring the potential of the burgeoning mobile game market. Some publishers may pivot to iconic titles to gain a competitive edge, indicating that the industry may become more comparable to the film sector and have greater cross-franchising and product licensing.

A 2024 survey found that ** percent of children in the United Kingdom aged 13 to 15 years played online games such as Fortnite or Minecraft. Online gaming among children has been increasing in popularity over the recent years and made a huge jump during the COVID-19 pandemic.

First released at the start of 2017, PUBG: Battlegrounds (previously known as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds) is one of the most popular games on Steam and had 861,598 peak concurrent players in the last recorded month, April 2025. The highest number of concurrent players was recorded in January 2018 at 3.24 million. One of the biggest games on Steam PUBG gained a devoted legion of fans in a short space of time after its release, and cumulative unit sales of the game hit 75 million in December 2021. The game has also been critically acclaimed — it won the Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards in 2017 and its free-to-play mobile version for Android and iOS, released in 2018, was nominated for Best Mobile Game at The 2018 Game Awards. This critical success has also translated into commercial success, as the game generated millions of U.S. dollars of revenue, most successfully in the United States. On January 12, 2022, the game has become free to play. Battle of the Battle Royale games PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds is an online battle royale game in which up to 100 hundred players battle it out until there is only one player or one team left standing. This format of game has become very popular in recent years. While PUBG has a strong following, especially on Steam, it has come under pressure from rival battle royale game, Fortnite. First released just several months after PUBG, Fortnite has since become a cultural phenomenon, amassing 500 million registered users in just six years. As of 2025, both PUB and Fortnite are still going strong with their loyal audiences.

Action role-playing game Black Myth: Wukong topped the 2024 list for peak number of concurrent players on the online gaming platform Steam, with 2.4 million peak concurrent players. The action-adventure game Palworld, which was released in January 2024, was ranked second. Is Steam keeping pace with the console giants? The fight for supremacy between PC and console gamers is an eternal one. However, it seems that Steam, the main online PC gaming platform, can still keep up with the console giants. In January 2023, Steam registered a record 33 million simultaneous users at peak time, impressive considering the figure stood at 27.4 million just two years before. One of the main advantages of Steam is the staggering library of games available to users, and it appears that players are not afraid of splashing the cash to play their favorite games.   Battle of the Battle Royale games While PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds reigns supreme in the Steam universe, it has stiff competition in the form of its battle royale brother, Fortnite. First released in July 2017, and not available on Steam, free-to-play Fortnite very quickly amassed millions of players and soon became a worldwide hit. Having scooped the award for Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2018, Epic Games’ smash hit shows no signs of slowing down. But with new players, such as Apex Legends, constantly entering the game, will Fortnite and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds be able to hold on to their loyal fan bases?

Apex Legends became an instant hit on its release in February 2019. Despite the growth in players slowing down in the months after the game's initial release, Apex Legends crossed 170 million players life-to-date as of October 2024. Apex Legends popular among eSports fans Apex Legends is a battle royale game which pits up to 20 three-person squads against each other in a fight to the death an island. While the game evidently has millions of devoted players, many more experience the game through some of their favorite eSports players. The Respawn Entertainment game is consistently one of the top games streamed on Twitch, with Apex Legends viewers watching in their thousands to see teams battle it out. In June 2024, approximately 7 million hours of Apex Legends were watched on major livestreaming platorms worldwide, making it one of the most popular games on Twitch and illustrating its appeal to both players and viewers alike. The rise of battle royale Battle royale games often include hundreds of players competing against each other at one time and this large-scale game mode has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the success of games such as Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). While many of the games are free to play, players can invest money on in-game purchases, which include upgrades to characters and players. Indeed, player spending in battle royale games often runs into the thousands and spending on PUBG Mobile even surpassed the 1.6 billion U.S. dollar mark in September 2020.

In March 2025, video streaming platform Twitch had approximately *** million active streamers, down from a peak of **** million in January 2021. The platform experienced a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many new users used the platform to connect with friends or try their hand at livestreaming. However, this trend normalized again towards the end of the year, and the streaming space has also grown more competitive as platforms apart from Twitch have evolved to attract streamers and viewers. Popular content categories on Twitch In 2024, most of the leading content categories on Twitch were all gaming-related – except for the top spot: Just Chatting. The general conversation category accumulated *** billion hours of viewing time in the measured period. In March 2025, global Twitch audiences spent around *** million hours watching Just Chatting content on Twitch, with the average viewer count of such content reaching *** thousand. HasanAbi was the most popular Just Chatting streamer on Twitch in the most recently measured month. Game streamers Twitch is very popular with gamers and gaming audiences, and the ranking of the most popular Twitch streamers reflects this. Ninja (real name: Richard Tyler Blevins), the top-ranked streamer on Twitch, had **** million followers in April 2025. Ninja saw a meteoric rise to fame when he was one of the first top-ranked players to stream the then-newly released Fortnite Battle Royale at the end of 2017. Second-ranked ibai (real name: Ibai Llanos Garatea) was ranked second with ***** million followers on Twitch. With more than **** million followers, Imane Anys, better known as Pokimane, was the only woman among the most-followed Twitch streamers worldwide. Overall, women only accounted for **** percent of the top-ranked Twitch channels.