Difference between revisions of "Fortnite Battle Royale"
(Added opening paragraph and began ethical implications.) |
(Expanded upon each section) |
||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
== Game == | == Game == | ||
=== Building === | === Building === | ||
| − | The key feature that Fortnite: Battle Royale boasts over other games within the same genre is the ability to build walls, floors, stairs, and pyramids with which players may defend themselves<ref>https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Building</ref>. Players may find three types of materials within various structures on the island - namely wood, stone, and metal. | + | The key feature that Fortnite: Battle Royale boasts over other games within the same genre is the ability to build walls, floors, stairs, and pyramids with which players may defend themselves<ref name="building">https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Building</ref>. Players may find three types of materials within various structures on the island - namely wood, stone, and metal. |
{|class="wikitable" | {|class="wikitable" | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
|}<ref>https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Materials_(Battle_Royale)</ref> | |}<ref>https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Materials_(Battle_Royale)</ref> | ||
| − | + | Built structures can be edited into many different shapes predefined by the game. When players attempt to edit a wall or floor, a 3x3 grid appears and each square in that grid can be toggled to create these predefined shapes. Alternatively, for stairs, the player can select directions for their stairs to go, allowing for stairs that are thinner or change direction. Finally, pyramids can be edited using their 2x2 grid to construct ramps<ref name="building" />. Structures can be destroyed by players using their harvesting tool. | |
| + | |||
| + | In Fortnite's build mode, many players utilize building for both mobility and protection<ref name="building" />. The ability to build has spawned strategies such as building 90's<ref>https://progameguides.com/fortnite/fortnite-guides/how-to-build-90s-in-fortnite/</ref>, which players use to make their builds sturdy and protective as quickly as possible. It also allows for quick access to the high ground, which is a useful vantage point in shooter games, [[First Person Shooters]] and third person shooters alike. | ||
| + | |||
| + | An alternative mode called Zero Build<ref>https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/zero-build</ref> was introduced on March 29, 2022<ref>https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Fortnite:_Zero_Build</ref> for players who preferred to play without the famous building mechanic. This mode takes away the ability to build and remains in the game to this day. In fact, Zero Build mode brought many players back to the game<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/15/23024470/fortnite-zero-build-mode-player-return-twitch-the-fierce-diva-sypherpk</ref> | ||
=== Business Model === | === Business Model === | ||
| Line 44: | Line 48: | ||
The aforementioned emotes have been the source of many controversies, specifically relating to the "theft" of popular dances. A large number of dances have been stolen by Epic Games for Fortnite - 2 Milly's signature dance (the Milly Rock), Alfonso Ribeiro's signature dance from ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'', the floss dance performed by Russell Horning, and many more<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18149869/fortnite-dance-emote-lawsuit-milly-rock-floss-carlton</ref><ref>https://www.thegamer.com/fortnit-dances-emotes-stolen/</ref>. This theft prompted a debate across the internet on whether a dance can be copyrighted. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, "individual dance movements or dance steps by themselves are not copyrightable"<ref name="copyright">https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ52.pdf</ref>. The Copyright Office lays out rules that state that choreography and pantomime are only registrable for copyright if they are "fixed in a tangible medium of expression in such a way that reveals the movements in sufficient detail to permit the work to be performed in a consistent and uniform manner"<ref name="copyright" />. | The aforementioned emotes have been the source of many controversies, specifically relating to the "theft" of popular dances. A large number of dances have been stolen by Epic Games for Fortnite - 2 Milly's signature dance (the Milly Rock), Alfonso Ribeiro's signature dance from ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'', the floss dance performed by Russell Horning, and many more<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18149869/fortnite-dance-emote-lawsuit-milly-rock-floss-carlton</ref><ref>https://www.thegamer.com/fortnit-dances-emotes-stolen/</ref>. This theft prompted a debate across the internet on whether a dance can be copyrighted. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, "individual dance movements or dance steps by themselves are not copyrightable"<ref name="copyright">https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ52.pdf</ref>. The Copyright Office lays out rules that state that choreography and pantomime are only registrable for copyright if they are "fixed in a tangible medium of expression in such a way that reveals the movements in sufficient detail to permit the work to be performed in a consistent and uniform manner"<ref name="copyright" />. | ||
| − | === | + | === Microtransactions and Friction=== |
There have also been numerous documented cases in which children were found spending their parents' money on V-Bucks. This is not an isolated case, as children have also been known to spend large amounts of money on video games in the past<ref>https://people.com/human-interest/connecticut-boy-spends-16k-moms-money-video-game-ipad/</ref> | There have also been numerous documented cases in which children were found spending their parents' money on V-Bucks. This is not an isolated case, as children have also been known to spend large amounts of money on video games in the past<ref>https://people.com/human-interest/connecticut-boy-spends-16k-moms-money-video-game-ipad/</ref> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
One particular case featured a child who spent approximately $300 of his mother's money to purchase 49,300 V-Bucks<ref>https://www.thegamer.com/fortnite-mom-credit-card-50000-v-bucks/</ref>. | One particular case featured a child who spent approximately $300 of his mother's money to purchase 49,300 V-Bucks<ref>https://www.thegamer.com/fortnite-mom-credit-card-50000-v-bucks/</ref>. | ||
| − | This may be the case because Fortnite lacks a "confirm purchase" button in western versions of the game<ref name="friction">https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/12/fortnite-to-introduce-an-undo-purchase-button</ref>. However, it was announced in 2019 that Fortnite had plans to introduce an "undo purchase" button<ref name="friction" />. This change is reflected in the game today, via the "cancel a purchase" and "return a purchase" features<ref>https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/cancel-purchase</ref>. | + | This may be the case because Fortnite lacks friction via a "confirm purchase" button in western versions of the game<ref name="friction">https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/12/fortnite-to-introduce-an-undo-purchase-button</ref>. However, it was announced in 2019 that Fortnite had plans to introduce an "undo purchase" button<ref name="friction" />. This change is reflected in the game today, via the "cancel a purchase" and "return a purchase" features<ref>https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/cancel-purchase</ref>. Epic Games has decided not to add a "confirm purchase" button because they do not "want to add friction for players." |
== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 10:51, 24 January 2023
| Genre | Third-Person Shooter Battle Royale |
| Gamming Style | Battle Royale |
| Platform | Windows PC PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Xbox One Xbox One S Xbox One Series X/S Nintendo Switch/Switch Lite Android |
| Release Date | September 26, 2017 |
| Developer | Epic Games |
| Publisher | Epic Games |
| Website | Fortnite |
Fortnite: Battle Royale is a video game developed and published by Epic Games. It was released in early access on September 26, 2017[1]. Fortnite: Battle Royale is a game in which 100 players fight to be the final player (or team) remaining using various guns, materials, and items found across the island.
Contents
Game
Building
The key feature that Fortnite: Battle Royale boasts over other games within the same genre is the ability to build walls, floors, stairs, and pyramids with which players may defend themselves[2]. Players may find three types of materials within various structures on the island - namely wood, stone, and metal.
| Building Material | Icon | Build Speed | HP | Flammable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood |  |
Fastest | 140 | Yes |
| Stone |  |
Medium | 400 | No |
| Metal |  |
Slowest | 600 | No |
Built structures can be edited into many different shapes predefined by the game. When players attempt to edit a wall or floor, a 3x3 grid appears and each square in that grid can be toggled to create these predefined shapes. Alternatively, for stairs, the player can select directions for their stairs to go, allowing for stairs that are thinner or change direction. Finally, pyramids can be edited using their 2x2 grid to construct ramps[2]. Structures can be destroyed by players using their harvesting tool.
In Fortnite's build mode, many players utilize building for both mobility and protection[2]. The ability to build has spawned strategies such as building 90's[4], which players use to make their builds sturdy and protective as quickly as possible. It also allows for quick access to the high ground, which is a useful vantage point in shooter games, First Person Shooters and third person shooters alike.
An alternative mode called Zero Build[5] was introduced on March 29, 2022[6] for players who preferred to play without the famous building mechanic. This mode takes away the ability to build and remains in the game to this day. In fact, Zero Build mode brought many players back to the game[7]
Business Model
Fortnite: Battle Royale is a freemium game. This means that the game itself is available for free to download and play[8], but players can purchase different outfits, harvesting tools, wraps, emotes, and bundles via the item shop[9]. The item shop selection rotates daily, and items within the shop can be purchased using an in-game currency known as V-Bucks. The primary way in which Epic Games monetizes Fortnite is through these in-game microtransactions.
By 2021, Fortnite had grossed $20 billion off its microtransactions alone[10].
Ethical Implications
Emote Copyright Issues
The aforementioned emotes have been the source of many controversies, specifically relating to the "theft" of popular dances. A large number of dances have been stolen by Epic Games for Fortnite - 2 Milly's signature dance (the Milly Rock), Alfonso Ribeiro's signature dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the floss dance performed by Russell Horning, and many more[11][12]. This theft prompted a debate across the internet on whether a dance can be copyrighted. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, "individual dance movements or dance steps by themselves are not copyrightable"[13]. The Copyright Office lays out rules that state that choreography and pantomime are only registrable for copyright if they are "fixed in a tangible medium of expression in such a way that reveals the movements in sufficient detail to permit the work to be performed in a consistent and uniform manner"[13].
Microtransactions and Friction
There have also been numerous documented cases in which children were found spending their parents' money on V-Bucks. This is not an isolated case, as children have also been known to spend large amounts of money on video games in the past[14]
One particular case featured a child who spent approximately $300 of his mother's money to purchase 49,300 V-Bucks[15].
This may be the case because Fortnite lacks friction via a "confirm purchase" button in western versions of the game[16]. However, it was announced in 2019 that Fortnite had plans to introduce an "undo purchase" button[16]. This change is reflected in the game today, via the "cancel a purchase" and "return a purchase" features[17]. Epic Games has decided not to add a "confirm purchase" button because they do not "want to add friction for players."
References
- ↑ https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/ko/news/announcing-fortnite-battle-royale
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Building
- ↑ https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Materials_(Battle_Royale)
- ↑ https://progameguides.com/fortnite/fortnite-guides/how-to-build-90s-in-fortnite/
- ↑ https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/zero-build
- ↑ https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Fortnite:_Zero_Build
- ↑ https://www.theverge.com/2022/4/15/23024470/fortnite-zero-build-mode-player-return-twitch-the-fierce-diva-sypherpk
- ↑ https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/freemium.asp
- ↑ https://fortnite.fandom.com/wiki/Item_Shop
- ↑ https://www.businessofapps.com/data/fortnite-statistics/
- ↑ https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18149869/fortnite-dance-emote-lawsuit-milly-rock-floss-carlton
- ↑ https://www.thegamer.com/fortnit-dances-emotes-stolen/
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ52.pdf
- ↑ https://people.com/human-interest/connecticut-boy-spends-16k-moms-money-video-game-ipad/
- ↑ https://www.thegamer.com/fortnite-mom-credit-card-50000-v-bucks/
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/12/fortnite-to-introduce-an-undo-purchase-button
- ↑ https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/cancel-purchase
