Fortnite reigned supreme on consoles in December 2023, with playtime surpassing Call of Duty, EA Sports FC, GTA 5, and Roblox combined, according to Ampere Analysis.
This surge in popularity can be attributed to the launch of Chapter 4 Season OG, which brought back the beloved original map. But that wasn’t the only factor driving Fortnite’s success. Epic Games also introduced a slew of new content, including Lego Fortnite, Fortnite: Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival.
Lego Fortnite is a free-to-play adventure within the battle royale giant where you can explore vast Lego landscapes, build elaborate structures with endless brick customization, and battle quirky creatures with wacky Lego weaponry – all as your favorite Fortnite characters in adorable minifigure form!
Rocket Racing let players strap into sleek, customizable rocket racers and navigate high-speed tracks littered with boosts, jumps, and power-ups. Race against friends or online rivals, master daring stunts, and conquer the finish line for glorious vehicular victory.
And in a more chilled-out vibe, Fortnite Festival offers a platform for musical expression and community connection. Explore a vibrant festival island, complete with stages and instruments, where you can jam out with friends, showcase your musical talents, or simply groove to the curated tunes.
These additions kept players engaged and coming back for more. Hours spent building and battling in Fortnite rocketed 146% higher in November, then smoothly ascended another 9% in December.
Looking ahead, analysts predict that Fortnite’s dominance is likely to regress to the mean. “As the novelty of Lego Fortnite wears off, Ampere expects engagement to normalise (sic) in the coming months”, said Louise Wooldridge, Ampere’s research manager for games. However, the return of the original map in 2024 could further solidify Fortnite’s position as the top console game.
