What are the elements of a battle royale game?
A battle royale game drops a large number of players — often around 100 — onto one map with little or no equipment. Everyone scavenges for weapons and gear, and a safe zone keeps shrinking, forcing survivors into closer fights. The last player or team standing wins.
Core elements
- Large player count: dozens to 100 or more players per match, solo or in squads.
- Drop-in start: players choose where to land, often by parachute from a plane or ship.
- Looting: weapons, armor, ammo and healing items are scattered around the map.
- Shrinking zone: a circle or storm closes in over time and damages anyone outside it.
- Permadeath per match: once eliminated you are out, though some games allow respawns or revives in squads.
- Last one standing: a single winner, such as Fortnite's "Victory Royale."
Common extra features
- Vehicles for crossing the map.
- Character abilities, as in Apex Legends.
- Building, as in Fortnite.
- Supply drops with rare loot.
- Respawn systems such as Warzone's Gulag or Apex's respawn beacons.
Where the genre came from
The name comes from the Japanese novel and 2000 film Battle Royale, in which students are forced to fight to the last survivor. In games, Brendan Greene's ("PlayerUnknown") mods for Arma and DayZ shaped the genre, leading to PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) in 2017. Fortnite Battle Royale arrived the same year, followed by Apex Legends (2019) and Call of Duty: Warzone (2020).
FAQ
What is the difference between battle royale and Victory Royale?
Battle royale is the genre; Victory Royale is what Fortnite calls winning a match.
Why is it called battle royale?
The term means a fight with many participants where the last one standing wins, popularized by the Japanese Battle Royale film.
Why was the Battle Royale film controversial?
It showed teenagers killing each other, which drew criticism and restricted its release in some countries.
What are the most popular battle royale games?
Fortnite, PUBG, Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone are among the biggest.