You Won't Believe How Much Darker Fortnite Originally Was
Released in 2017, Fortnite has become a massive success due in part to Epic Games' willingness and ability to constantly adapt and keep the game fresh.
Whether by including the latest dancing fads, promoting celebrity streamers, or implementing new skins of whatever character is currently popular, Epic Games has always given fans what they want in Fortnite.
But as it turns out, the original idea of Fortnite is unrecognizable from the version we have today.
Art director Pete Ellis explained in a behind-the-scenes video that Fortnite began as more of a dark survival game. The developers said that the early designs were far darker and more frightening than the current version. Ellis compared the overall tone of the game to that of the grim Resident Evil series. Not exactly the upbeat, sunshine-riddled, neon-drenched world that Fortnite fans have come to love.
Given that Epic Games had at the time just finished up production on Gears of War 3, it's understandable that the developers would lean more toward this brooding type of design. But the approach soon changed for reasons that had nothing to do with preferences.
Members of the development team realized that production would be sped up if they'd switched to cartoon aesthetics and a more lively, goofy tone. If they decided against going for a realistic look, it would be faster to render animations and design the game. Ellis said that this bright and childlike art style began to make sense as the game's mechanics took shape.
It took a while, but the production team was able to convince Epic Games to pursue this new direction. Producer Roger Callum said that it took some time because "we were showing people our inner kid."
Despite the change in art direction and overall vibe, Epic Games kept a few minor horror elements in Fortnite over the years. "Fortnite: Save the World" featured the Husk Monsters and "Fortnitemare" saw players battling the zombie-esque Cube Monsters, to go along with several other mildly frightening horror-inspired events.
On top of the stylistic changes, Fortnite was originally intended to be a co-op survival game. Fortnite is defined by the "Battle Royale" mode, but that was never the original plan. It, too, was changed mid-development; the "Battle Royal" has now become the central part of the video game and a reason for its massive success.
Because Epic Games was willing to change their directional plans before release, they were able to separate themselves from their competitors like PUBG. Fortnite was now able to be played and enjoyed by fans of all ages, rather than fit into a niche.
The change paid off, as Fortnite has become one of the most popular games in history, having between 3 and 4 million users at any given moment.