Fortnite came out in 2017 — first as a paid early-access co-op game on July 25, 2017, and then as the free-to-play Battle Royale mode that changed gaming forever on September 26, 2017. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite went from an interesting side project to the most-played game on the planet within just a few months of that second launch.
If you want the short version: 2017 is the year Fortnite came out. But there are actually two important launch dates — the original game mode and the free mode that sparked the global craze — and the full story is worth knowing. Here is everything, from the very first release to where Fortnite stands today.
Two launch dates you need to know
Fortnite did not arrive all at once. Epic Games released two distinct experiences under the same name within the same year, and each one had its own impact on gaming history.
The complete Fortnite origin story
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Section 1: The First Launch — July 25, 2017 (Save the World)
Fortnite's original game mode, Save the World, launched on July 25, 2017, as a paid early-access title for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It was a cooperative player-versus-environment experience: up to four players teamed up to build forts, gather resources, and fight off waves of zombie-like creatures called Husks. The game had been in development at Epic Games since around 2011, but technical setbacks and multiple internal redesigns pushed the release all the way to mid-2017. While Save the World had a dedicated audience, it never achieved mainstream breakout success on its own.
Fortnite launched on July 25, 2017 as a paid early-access co-op game developed by Epic Games. -
Section 2: Battle Royale Goes Free — September 26, 2017
Just two months later, on September 26, 2017, Epic Games released Fortnite Battle Royale as a completely separate, completely free mode. Inspired by the rising popularity of battle royale games, it dropped 100 players onto a large island where they had to scavenge weapons, build structures, and be the last person standing. The free price tag, combined with Fortnite's colorful cartoon art style and the unique building mechanic, set it apart from every other shooter on the market. Within weeks it was drawing millions of concurrent players and completely dominating Twitch and YouTube.
Battle Royale launched free on September 26, 2017 with 100-player matches and a unique building mechanic. -
Section 3: 2018 — The Year Fortnite Took Over the World
By early 2018, Fortnite Battle Royale had become a full-blown cultural phenomenon. The game reached 10 million players within two weeks of launch, 45 million by January 2018, and an astonishing 125 million registered players by June 2018. It was available on every major platform — PC, PlayStation, Xbox, iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch — and most of those versions supported cross-play. Celebrities were streaming it live, professional athletes were doing in-game dances as goal celebrations, and Epic Games generated an estimated $1.8 billion in revenue in 2018 alone, entirely through optional cosmetic purchases. The Fortnite World Cup, announced in 2018, would eventually pay out $30 million in prize money to top competitive players.
Fortnite's player count exploded from 10 million in late 2017 to 125 million registered players by mid-2018. -
Section 4: Chapter Milestones — 2019 to 2024
Rather than fading away as a trend, Fortnite reinvented itself repeatedly through a series of "Chapters," each one introducing a dramatically different map, new mechanics, and fresh collaborations with major entertainment franchises. Chapter 2 arrived in October 2019, surprising players with a brand-new island when the original map collapsed into a black hole in a live in-game event. Chapter 3 flipped the island upside down in December 2021. Chapter 4 in December 2022 introduced Unreal Engine 5 visuals. Chapter 5 in December 2023 brought back a nostalgic "OG" version of the original map, attracting tens of millions of returning players. Chapter 6 launched in November 2024, continuing the game's tradition of bold seasonal overhauls. Each chapter reset the narrative and gave both new and returning players a reason to drop back in.
Fortnite has gone through six major chapter overhauls since its 2017 launch, with each one reshaping the game world. -
Section 5: Fortnite Today — Still One of the Biggest Games Alive
As of 2025–2026, Fortnite is still one of the most-played games on the planet. Epic Games has reported more than 350 million registered accounts globally, and the game continues to pull in tens of millions of active players each month. The Battle Royale mode remains free on PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and mobile. Beyond Battle Royale, Fortnite now operates as a full gaming platform with multiple distinct modes: Zero Build (no building mechanics), Save the World (the original PvE mode), Creative and UEFN (player-made experiences), Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival. The game that launched in 2017 has become something closer to an entertainment ecosystem than a single title.
Eight years after its 2017 launch, Fortnite remains free to play with 350+ million registered accounts and six active game modes.
Quick-reference facts
- Original launch date: July 25, 2017 (Save the World, paid early access)
- Battle Royale launch: September 26, 2017 (free to play)
- Developer: Epic Games
- Initial platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Save the World — paid full release: June 29, 2020
- Total chapters released: 6 (as of 2025)
- Current platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android
- Cost to play Battle Royale: Free (cosmetics are optional purchases)
Frequently asked questions
What year did Fortnite come out?
Fortnite came out in 2017. The original co-op mode, Save the World, launched on July 25, 2017. The free Battle Royale mode that made Fortnite globally famous launched on September 26, 2017.
When did Fortnite Battle Royale come out?
Fortnite Battle Royale was released on September 26, 2017 as a free-to-play mode separate from the original paid game. It became one of the fastest-growing games in history within weeks of launching.
Is Fortnite free to play?
Yes. Fortnite Battle Royale, Zero Build, Creative, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival are all free to download and play. The only game mode that requires a purchase is Save the World, which moved out of early access as a paid title in 2020.
How long has Fortnite been out?
Fortnite has been available since July 2017, which means it has been running for more than eight years as of 2025–2026. Very few online games stay this relevant for this long, which makes Fortnite's longevity genuinely unusual in the industry.
Who made Fortnite?
Fortnite was made by Epic Games, a North Carolina–based game developer also known for creating the Unreal Engine. Epic has continued to develop and support Fortnite ever since its 2017 launch, releasing regular seasonal updates and major chapter overhauls every year.
The bottom line
Fortnite came out in 2017 — first as a paid cooperative survival game on July 25, then as the free Battle Royale experience on September 26 that changed the industry. Eight-plus years later the game is still going strong, with hundreds of millions of players, multiple game modes, and a new chapter every year. Whether you played on day one or you're just discovering it now, the best time to jump in is whenever you feel like it — and it won't cost you a thing to start. For the official download, visit the official Fortnite website.
