Fortnite, Epic Games’ battle royale phenomenon, not only dominates the online gaming scene in 2026 but also completes an impressive journey from its humble beginnings. The question “when was Fortnite released?” has a layered answer, officially starting on September 26, 2017, for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. However, the story is more complex, as the game was born from a paid cooperative project called Save the World, released in early access two months prior. Leading this revolution is Epic Games, a company that redirected its efforts upon recognizing the explosive potential of the free mode, transforming a title into a global entertainment platform. This is relevant because, in January 2026, Fortnite remains one of the most influential games in the world, a rare case of longevity in an extremely competitive genre.
The evolution since launch is a case study. The Battle Royale mode, which leveraged its success, was developed in just two months by an internal team. As a result, it not only surpassed the game that inspired it, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, but also redefined the games-as-a-service model. Thanks to a winning formula of seasons, pop collaborations, and constant technical innovations in the Unreal Engine, the game built a loyal player base. Thus, what began as an experiment became an ecosystem with modes like Creative, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival, keeping the title always fresh and at the center of conversations.
The Mobile Saga and the Legacy of Save the World
Fortnite’s arrival on mobile was a separate chapter, marked by bold strategies and controversies. The game arrived on iOS in March 2018, proving that console experiences had a place on mobile devices. However, its trajectory on Apple’s platform suffered a significant setback in 2020, due to an epic legal battle between Epic Games and the Cupertino giant. On the other hand, on Android, Epic initially opted for distribution outside the Google Play Store, which caused confusion among players. Only in 2020 did the title go to the official store, in an attempt to combat malicious clones. Meanwhile, the Save the World mode, which once cost between R$ 200 and R$ 750 in its initial packages, never became free as planned. Epic Games redirected all its resources to the overwhelming success of Battle Royale, leaving the PvE as a legacy for founders.
Today, in 2026, Fortnite is a consolidated universe. With over eight years on the road, it defies the logic of live-service games, which often lose relevance in a few years. Epic Games continues to fuel the platform with new features, ensuring that the phenomenon born in 2017 continues to surprise. The remaining question is no longer about when it started, but rather how long it will still be capable of reinventing the future of online gaming.
