Strategy Games
Oct 18th, 2023Battle royale games are among the most popular game genres at the moment, forming the core of the battle royale game genre that dominates the global gaming scene. There are currently numerous top games that belong to this category, some of which have millions of players worldwide.
People from numerous demographics are invested in the genre, as its mechanics and features appeal to the gaming needs of a diverse set of players.
But what are battle royale games? And what are the reasons for the popularity of these games?
For those wondering what battle royale games are, these are a genre of games where numerous players are pitted against each other in combat. Each player has to eliminate other players. The one that is still surviving till the end is declared the victor.
There are complexities to this battle royale style gameplay mechanic. For instance, players are usually dropped into the playing environment and have to obtain loot and weapons to bolster their capabilities. And as time goes on and the player counts decrease, the playing area starts to shrink. This forces the players to move towards each other and increases the chances of combat.
This also creates a heightened experience towards the end of each match. The initial moments of the gameplay are usually quite tame with players mostly focused on obtaining weapons, items, and armor. The tail end of the game is all-out combat where there can only be one victor.
But there being only one victor does not mean the game has only a single-player mode. In fact, popular battle royale games have both single-player and multi-player modes. In the case of the multi-player mode, the team that the last individual or people standing would be declared the winner.
Because of this unique spin on the shooter gameplay, battle royale games have proliferated in recent years. There are several household names in the genre, including PUBG and Fortnite. These games generate millions in revenue each year and is also among the top earners among games in the industry.
Important to the discussion of what is a battle royale game, is its history as well.
The battle royale genre however did not start with games. It started with a book.
In 1999, Japanese author Koushun Takami wrote the dystopian novel Battle Royale, the primary source of all the games that we list when we are asked what are battle royale games. It featured a storyline where a group of students were dropped into an island. The players are fitted with collars and forced to fight each other in a span of three days, with the threat of annihilation. The last one standing would survive and be escorted back to the mainland.
The book was a hit and inspired a movie adaptation in the following year. This further catapulted the popularity of the story and eventually inspired a lot of books and movies.
Among them, was the Hunger Games, a series of books that were later adapted to hit movies. It also featured a set of protagonists forced to battle against each other.
This further inspired game developers. The first of these was a mod for Minecraft, where players were put into an environment against each other and forced to survive.
Then came DayZ, which had a battle royale mode and was one of the first games to spike curiosity in the battle royale concept and the genre overall. Games like Arma 3 and H1Z1 had their own battle royale modes, which also became huge hits. Even Ark: Survival Evolved had a mode called Survival of the Fittest that bore some of the trademark features now found in battle royale games.
However, it was none of these games that was responsible for the rise in demand and users of battle royale games.
It was PUBG that paved the way.
In 2017, the game was released on PC. It quickly gained popularity and became one of the most played games. It was later ported to mobile platforms and amassed a lot of users within a short span of time.
The game started to break records in the industry. It received acclaim from both critics and users, for its gameplay mechanics, graphics, and other features.
Then came the next juggernaut in the genre: Fortnite.
If PUBG paved the way, Fortnite further cemented its influence. The game was initially released by Epic in a different genre, with the name Fortnite: Save the World. However, the popularity of PUBG led Epic to release a battle royale game mode for the same game.
Fortnite: Battle Royale was released in 2018, and it too became a huge hit. It featured no gore and had a stylized art style that was appealing to a lot of players, particularly those among younger age groups.
Within a short span of time, other games were also released in the genre. These included games such as Apex Legends, Garena Free Fire, and Call of Duty. Each of these games had gameplay centered around battle royale or had a separate mode dedicated to battle royale. Even unconventional entries like Minecraft battle royale began to gain traction, showcasing how adaptable the genre had become across different game styles.
All these games also became huge hits in the realm of streaming as well. In both Twitch and YouTube, games of this genre became popular among streamers and viewers. Players started to broadcast their playing sessions of battle royale games to viewers around the globe. Some streams even had thousands of concurrent viewers.
These games also became quite popular in the ESports circle. ESports involve players, either alone or as teams, battling it out inside a game. The victor is awarded certain titles and prizes.
The games that are often considered for ESports are games that have a clear hierarchy of players who have skills. Skilled players also band together to form professional teams that battle against other professional teams.
Unleash your vision with our expert developers, and create a battle royale game that captivates and conquers the gaming world!
The figures of the game genre, shed light on the triumph of battle royale games.
Overall, the genre was valued at $9.76 billion in 2022. By 2030, the figure was expected to rise to a whopping $18.80 billion, with a CAGR of 9.28%.
If you look at individual revenue of battle royale games, you can see a lot of improvement there as well. In 2022, PUBG hit a lifetime revenue of $10 billion and is among the games that have generated the most revenue. Fortnite meanwhile is estimated to have generated a total revenue of $26 billion.
Even in terms of metrics, battle royale games stand out.
For instance, the retention rate for day 2 stood at 52% in 2021. The growth in retention was recorded as an increase of 2.5% each year on average.
The engagement rates also have similar high statistics. Battle Royale games have more logins per day compared to a lot of other games. It also has more logins per month as well.
The conversion rates have also climbed in recent years. The initial number of paying users was relatively low as these games allow players to progress and enjoy to the fullest extent even without payments required.
Creating a compelling battle royale game takes more than just dropping players onto a map and letting them fight. Success in this genre hinges on implementing the right game design mechanics that balance excitement, fairness, and replayability. Here are the must-have features that define top-performing battle royale games:
A high-quality battle royale game needs a large, engaging map filled with strategic points of interest. The shrinking play zone (often called “the circle”) ensures tension and player confrontation increase over time, driving dynamic gameplay and preventing stagnation.
Smooth performance even during large-scale matches is essential. Robust back-end systems that can scale efficiently are critical to deliver real-time multiplayer functionality across platforms.
Randomness must be fair. Balanced loot systems ensure all players have a fighting chance while still rewarding exploration and risk-taking. This keeps the playing field level and the gameplay competitive.
A clean, user-friendly interface enhances the player experience. From inventory management to team communication and mini-maps, every element must be easy to navigate, even in the heat of battle.
With players gaming on consoles, PCs, and mobile devices, supporting cross-platform play is a game-changer. It expands your user base and boosts engagement.
Cosmetic upgrades, skins, emotes, and battle passes not only personalize the player experience but also offer powerful monetization opportunities without affecting gameplay fairness.
Here’s what a tailor-made battle royale game can unlock for your business:
Instead of cloning existing formulas, a custom game allows you to inject your unique brand identity, storylines, or lore into the gameplay. You can embed specific basic game mechanics that reflect your brand’s essence.
Battle royale games are known for viral spread through live-streaming and social sharing. A well-designed game with exciting moments and social hooks can bring in massive organic traction.
Battle passes, cosmetic items, character skins, and seasonal content offer lucrative monetization models. These features help you maintain revenue flow long after launch.
Multiplayer modes foster community interactions, especially when integrated with chat, clans, and leaderboards. This builds a loyal player base that grows your brand’s ecosystem.
The competitive nature of the genre makes it a strong candidate for eSports events. Custom tournaments or brand-sponsored leagues can offer additional reach and exposure.
You can choose the platforms (mobile, PC, console) and have full control over updates, integrations, user data, and analytics. It’s your game, your rules.
At Juego Studios, we design and develop cutting-edge battle royale games tailored to your brand, platform, and audience. Our expert team builds scalable multiplayer environments, dynamic shrinking zones, and balanced loot systems that deliver high replay value. From intuitive UI/UX to monetization models like battle passes and skins, we incorporate proven features that drive player engagement and retention. Whether you’re targeting casual gamers or competitive eSports, our custom solutions bring your vision to life with precision and creativity. Ready to dominate the genre?
The battle royale game genre is likely to witness more spikes in the coming years. The genre is considered among the best genres for game development because of its huge potential for revenue generation. New players entering the space often start by learning how to play battle royale titles effectively to compete.
Also, the genre has undergone a lot of evolution in recent times.
One is the availability of these games on multiple platforms, sometimes with cross-play enabled. There are several games in the genre that are available on mobile, desktop, and consoles. Some of these even let players play with users from other platforms, making the battle royale video game experience more dynamic and accessible.
Two, are the performance improvements. Due to advancements in game engines and other development frameworks and advancements in the hardware, battle royale games have become better at overall performance. This has led to a further percentage of players sticking around to play the game for the long term.
Third, is the availability of multiple modes. Some developers have experimented with multiple game modes within the battle royale core experience. This has helped top battle royale games stay fresh and engaging, appealing to both casual players and competitive enthusiasts.
The first battle royale game widely credited with popularizing the genre is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), released in 2017. Designed by Brendan “PlayerUnknown” Greene, PUBG introduced the core mechanics now standard in battle royale titles, parachuting onto a shrinking map, scavenging for weapons, and being the last player or team standing. However, the concept originated earlier through community mods. Notably, Arma 2’s mod “DayZ: Battle Royale,” also created by Greene, and Minecraft’s “Hunger Games” mods both laid the groundwork for what would become the battle royale format. These earlier experiments helped shape what eventually evolved into a global gaming phenomenon.
A battle royale game is a competitive multiplayer game mode where a large number of players, often 50 to 100, are dropped into a vast map and must fight to survive until only one remains. Players usually start with little to no gear and must explore the environment to collect weapons, items, and resources. As the match progresses, a shrinking safe zone forces players into closer proximity, intensifying combat.
This mechanic ensures fast-paced gameplay and constant tension. Battle royale games can be played solo, in duos, or squads, and often feature both strategy and real-time action elements.
Battle Royale refers to a competitive game format where a large number of players, typically 50 to 100, are placed into a shrinking play area and must compete until only one player or team remains. Players often start with minimal resources and must explore the environment to find weapons, items, and gear while avoiding elimination. The shrinking zone forces encounters, intensifying the action as the game progresses.
Victory goes to the last individual or team standing. This format combines survival, exploration, and strategic combat, making it one of the most popular and engaging genres in modern gaming.
A battle royale is a popular video game genre that blends survival, exploration, and last-player-standing gameplay. In this mode, a large number of players, typically ranging from dozens to over a hundred, are dropped into a vast map with minimal equipment. They must search for weapons, gear, and resources while strategically eliminating opponents.
As the game progresses, the playable area gradually shrinks, forcing encounters and increasing intensity. The objective is simple yet challenging: outlast all other competitors and be the final survivor or surviving team to claim victory in the match.
The first battle royale game to significantly define the genre was PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), released in 2017. Developed by PUBG Corporation, it introduced the now-iconic formula of parachuting onto a shrinking map, scavenging for weapons, and fighting to be the last one standing. While earlier mods like those for Arma 3 and Minecraft experimented with similar mechanics, PUBG was the first standalone title to achieve massive commercial success. Its intense gameplay, strategic depth, and competitive edge helped shape battle royale into one of the most dominant genres in the modern gaming industry.
Key features of a Battle Royale game include a massive, immersive map where players are dropped at random locations to begin their survival journey. A shrinking safe zone forces players into increasingly close encounters, intensifying gameplay as the match progresses. Players must scavenge for weapons, equipment, and resources scattered across the environment, creating dynamic and unpredictable encounters.
The core gameplay revolves around last-man-standing mechanics, where individuals or teams compete until only one remains. Additionally, elements like real-time matchmaking, customizable characters, and various game modes enhance replayability and player engagement across different platforms and skill levels.
Battle Royale differs from other game modes primarily in its survival-based structure. In a Battle Royale, dozens to hundreds of players are dropped into a large map where the goal is to be the last one standing. The playable area gradually shrinks, forcing encounters and increasing tension.
Players must scavenge for weapons and resources, often starting with nothing. In contrast, other game modes like team deathmatch or capture the flag focus on respawning, fixed objectives, or team-based play without the high-stakes, one-life survival dynamic that defines Battle Royale experiences.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBA) have become a major force in gaming, keeping players hooked with their strategic gameplay and competitive action for over a decade.
A varied array of platforms is today available to gamers, posing exciting opportunities and serious challengers for developers. This led to the need for innovation, experimentation, and redefinition of game play. Game developers began implementing cross-platform play, creating a revolution in the gaming landscape.
Survival – every living organism in the world recognizes its importance. As evolved beings, humans are acutely aware of its importance, and fighting for survival is very much in our blood. Is it a surprise, then, that survival games are hugely popular?
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