When it comes to current gaming trends, it's hard to look past the Battle Royale subgenre of multiplayer shooters. Both Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds have been making serious waves because of their addictive and competitive gameplay. All the while, these big players have been taking in some serious financial returns in the process, and as such it's no surprise to see that some other games have tried to emulate this success.
Although some games have not made quite as big a bang, such as the early access Radical Heights, there's still a desire from some developers to crack the mystery of the Battle Royale mode's success. The key to muscling in on this popularity, though, is not just rehashing the game modes of others but instead bringing something entirely new to the party.
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Thankfully, there are a number of video game series out there with the potential to do more. With that in mind, here are some of the game franchises that could do something special with the Fortnite formula.
12. Dark Souls
Already, the Dark Souls games offer up quite an interesting take on multiplayer, whereby the solo campaign can be interrupted - positively or negatively - by an invading player. Player-on-player battles are some of the most tense moments to be found in Dark Souls 3 in particular, which is truly saying something given the engaging combat and thrilling boss fights that the series is renowned for.
Because of this, adding in an extra multiplayer mode into the Dark Souls formula could be the kind of gameplay that truly changes the multiplayer landscape for the better. One hundred players in a map full of twists and turns, with one combatant coming out at the end after partaking in vicious PvP combat based purely on skill - what's not to love?
11. Assassin’s Creed
Assassin's Creed has seen a variety of different game modes over the years, from the core single player gameplay through to multiplayer modes and the co-operative focus of the much-maligned Assassin's Creed Unity. The most recent release, Assassin's Creed Origins, even included an educational mode to teach users about ancient Egypt.
In future releases, however, a Battle Royale game mode a la Fortnite could work incredibly well. Players could be given free reign over the map, and be tasked with taking down fellow assassins by means of stealth or all-out combat. Adding in a steadily-shrinking map would keep the tension nice and high, until one remaining assassin could be crowned champion.
10. The Division
In the end, The Division turned out to be something of a mixed bag, with the game not quite living up to the high standards expected of it while still delivering on some very compelling multiplayer action. As such, it's no surprise to see a fair amount of intrigue in The Division 2, and some have suggested that the game could include a Fortnite-esque Battle Royale mode within its modes. After all, city streets would make a good change of pace, particularly with a greater tactical element to the combat.
As it turns out, The Division developer Massive Entertainment has reportedly been involved in a standalone Battle Royale game. Whether or not this game turns out to be related to The Division remains to be seen, but at the very least it means that there could be some kind of Fortnite-style game with similarities to the shooter.
9. Battlefield
As one of the most impressive multiplayer franchises going, Battlefield has more than earned its place at the top table. The series has always tried to offer up something new to users, whether down to the massive maps of the original games or the more recent additions to gameplay such as the behemoths of Battlefield 1. As such, DICE is one of the developers that could truly take the Fortnite formula and make it into something unique and entertaining.
The wait for this game mode might not be long, either. Already rumors are beginning to spread that this year's Battlefield game will include a Battle Royale mode. While the rumors weren't confirmed nor denied during Battlefield V's official reveal, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if it was introduced down the line. After all, a focus on an all-against all (or, indeed, a team battle mode) within Battlefield's already stunning gameplay could be the kind of mode that leaves a serious impression on those that try it out.
8. Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2 is coming this October, but so far the developer has been conservative with gameplay details of the cowboy epic. That doesn't only include the game's core single player mode, either, with Rockstar also keeping quiet about exactly how the title's multiplayer is going to operate. As such, it's no surprise to see rumors circulating that point towards at least one of the gameplay types coming in the form of a Fortnite-style Battle Royale.
In Rockstar's hands, however, this kind of gameplay could operate in a genuinely impressive way. Rather than just a clone of a well-run mode, instead Rockstar's open world would offer up something very different, with the same core aim to be the last player standing matched up to Rockstar's trademark chaotic gameplay. Plus, the Wild West setting would really help make this mode feel like something new.
7. Ghost Recon: Wildlands
Ghost Recon: Wildlands may have had something of a bumpy start at launch, but the game has delivered a strong stream of content to players since its release in 2017. Recently, the game's Splinter Cell-themed mission managed to combine two of the most memorable Tom Clancy games together in one, and even managed to sneak in a Solid Snake Easter egg. As such, some have wondered whether the game could be the perfect place to add a Battle Royale mode.
Unfortunately, it's not looking like that this is coming any time soon. Ubisoft has suggested that it is not thinking about a Ghost Recon: Wildlands Battle Royale mode, which is a shame as it would be a very good fit in comparison to some of the other games that have mooted a Fortnite model. Then again, who knows where the game could go in the future?
6. Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid hasn't had the best of times since the release of Metal Gear Solid 5. Although the fifth entry in the core Metal Gear Solid series is considered by some to be one of the best games of this generation, it was overshadowed by the acrimonious departure of long-time series auteur Hideo Kojima. Meanwhile, spin-off Metal Gear Survive struggled when released, with many suggesting that the game could be the end of the Metal Gear series altogether.
It's clear that Metal Gear Solid is not going to be the same as it was under Kojima's watchful eye, but at the very least Konami could try to make something fun out of what remains. Using the stealth-based gameplay that the series is renowned for to make a strong PvP game could be the kind of thinking that, although very different what came before, at least wouldn't be an unimpressive survival sim.
5. MechWarrior
This year will see the release of MechWarrior 5, and so far the long-awaited mech combat sequel is gearing up to be something special. Not only does it bring back all of the giant robot combat that long-term fans of the franchise crave, but it's going to be doing so with mods and four player co-op gameplay. Should the game turn out as fans hope, then the MechWarrior series as a whole could be back as a serious force to be reckoned with.
Something that could work incredibly well - if implemented right - in MechWarrior 5 is a Battle Royale mode. One of the flaws of the current crop of games using the Fortnite model is that all too often things are based around hiding it out, and although this strategy is enjoyed by many it can be a bit stale. The perfect remedy for this would be introducing mechs to the equation, as then there's not much chance of hiding in a building and hoping for the best.
4. Far Cry
It's fair to say that Far Cry 5 has been a huge success. Not only is the game seen by some as the perfection of the Far Cry open world formula, but it's also been selling extremely well and breaking first week franchise sales records. That said, the game isn't perfect, and some hoping for a revolution of the gameplay mix that caught the eye in Far Cry 3 have been left a little disappointed.
Something that could sit as a perfect palate cleanser for the series' trademark gameplay could be a new multiplayer mode, and as such a Battle Royale suggestion wouldn't be entirely out of the realms of possibility. After all, the franchise has a long history of setting up its players as survivors against all odds, and so it wouldn't be much of a stretch to see players testing their mettle against others in a claim for the top spot.
3. Overwatch
In all of the furore surrounding the likes of Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, it's easy to forget about the huge popularity of Overwatch. Blizzard's hero-based shooter still stands as one of the most enjoyable multiplayer games out there, with a level of variety and vibrant design that makes it a fun game to pick up and play to this day. However, it's fair to say that the game has drifted a little bit from gaming's eye of late.
A merging of Overwatch's character-based gameplay and the tension caused by a 100-person strong multiplayer deathmatch could really work well, though. After all, being able to choose from a selection of unique heroes would really mix up that traditional Battle Royale format, and so starting with such iconic characters as Winston and Mei could really make something special.
2. Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves was one of Microsoft's big releases for the Xbox One, but the game hasn't quite reached the levels some may expect of it. The Rare-developed title is great to look at, with gameplay that initially was very engaging, but unfortunately a lack of variety and a serious lack of depth in the content that was available has diminished the impact that Rare and Microsoft would have wanted. However, there has still been the promise of more to come.
Something that could work incredibly well in Sea of Thieves is some kind of Battle Royale mode, where the goal would be the last ship standing amid a mass fight between different crews. A purely combat-heavy mode might break up the pace, and may even take away from the distaste that some players had for the game's first ever Pirate Legend.
1. Call of Duty
Call of Duty may not be for everyone, but the FPS has been a mainstay of the top-selling games charts for a very long time. This year's entry in the franchise, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, promises to do things a little bit differently, with the game eschewing its traditional single player campaign in favor of other multiplayer modes. It turns out that the multiplayer mode in question is going to be a Battle Royale mode called Blackout.
The franchise has been due for a shake-up for some time, and although copying Fortnite's mode isn't something entirely fresh, it will at least be something different from the Team Deathmatch that always dominates online play with every new release. With the game's developer stating that the Blackout mode is better than Fortnite, it may well be that this Battle Royale gameplay is a game-changer altogether for the franchise.
That brings us to the end of our suggestions. Although it's unlikely that all of these titles could end up with a Battle Royale mode, gamers won't have seen the end of the subgenre with just the likes of Fortnite and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. With these suggestions, fans of that type of play could really find something to sink their teeth into.