Fortnite’s Battle Royale: A Result of Inspiration and Collaboration
Fortnite’s battle royale mode, which has become immensely popular, was conceived in an unexpected setting: the back of an Uber. In a recent interview with Game File, Epic’s former boss, Donald Mustard, revealed the fascinating story behind its creation.
Minecraft, PUBG, and a School Bus: Inspiration from Diverse Sources
Mustard credits Minecraft’s battle royale servers and Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) as early sources of inspiration. He recognized their unique approach to engaging multiple players in a compelling game.
The Uber Ride of Destiny
In mid-2017, while en route to a meeting, Mustard, Epic’s CEO Tim Sweeney, president Paul Meegan, and CTO Kim Libreri made the pivotal decision. “We were already toying with this [idea that] we need to do a battle royale,” Mustard recalled. “We were like: ‘We’re doing it, we’re going to re-task the team, we’re going to put it in Fortnite, we’re going to make a battle royale.’
Design Document and a Passing Bus
With only three hours to spare before a design document was needed, Mustard penned a one-page outline in the confines of the Uber. It was during this process that a passing school bus sparked an idea: “Players are going to be on a bus in the sky and we’re going to jump out of it.”
Battle Royale’s Launch and Impact
In September 2017, Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode debuted, forever changing the landscape of online gaming. It quickly gained immense popularity, surpassing PUBG and establishing Fortnite as a global phenomenon.
Criticism and Mustard’s Response
Critics have accused Fortnite of copying PUBG, but Mustard defended the game’s originality. “My philosophy is: All video games are all of us just riffing off each other,” he stated. “This, to me, is just an evolution of Quake.”
Conclusion
Fortnite’s battle royale mode stands as a testament to the power of inspiration, collaboration, and a touch of serendipity. From the initial sparks of innovation to the decisive Uber ride, the development of this iconic game mode was a collective effort that transformed the gaming industry forever.
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