Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Fortnite made $1.8 billion in 2019, retains title as highest-earning game

Aaron Mamiit
By

Global phenomenon Fortnite retained its title as the highest-earning game in 2019, with the free-to-play shooter earning a staggering $1.8 billion in revenue.

According to SuperData, the video game industry research arm of Nielsen, the overall revenue of free-to-play games increased by 6% in 2019 to $87.1 billion. In second place behind Fortnite was Dungeon Fighter Online with $1.6 billion, followed by Honour of Kings, including Arena of Valor, also with $1.6 billion. In fourth place and fifth place were League of Legends and Candy Crush Saga, both with $1.5 billion, followed by Pokémon GO with $1.4 billion.

Recommended Videos

SuperData also highlighted Apex Legends, which it said disrupted the free-to-play market through its “groundbreaking marketing strategy.” While the Battle Royale shooter did not break into the top 10 earners for 2019, it set a new record of the fastest 50 million downloads for any PC or console game.

Fortnite‘s earnings in 2019 actually declined by 25%, from a record-setting $2.4 billion in 2018. However, the shooter still surpassed all other free-to-play games due to its consistent updates and monetization through battle passes, according to SuperData. “The game has been extremely successful at converting players to spenders,” it said. While there are more League of Legends players, Fortnite players on PC are twice as likely to spend on in-game items compared to players of the MOBA.

SuperData added that Fortnite was able to retain its popularity partly due to its crossover promotions with big names in pop culture such as Marvel’s Avengers, Stranger Things, and Star Wars.

Spending on premium games, or the games that players need to buy first, were down 5% in 2019, which SuperData said was due to a gap year in AAA game launches. FIFA 19 was the top earner last year among premium games on the PC and consoles with $786 million in revenue, followed by Call of Duty: Modern Warfare at $645 million. Grand Theft Auto V keeps making money more than six years since its release with earnings of $595 million in 2019.

Heading into 2020, it remains to be seen what is in store for Fortnite players this year. Blizzards have started appearing in most of the game’s modes though, making for interesting situations while also possibly hinting at upcoming changes to the shooter’s map.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Aaron Mamiit
Aaron Mamiit
Contributor
Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with…
How to launch fireworks at Coachella Island in Fortnite
Launching fireworks at Coachella Island in Fortnite.

The week 2 Fortnite Coachella quests are live now, and while a lot of them are straightforward, one seems to have caused some confusion for many players. The quest is for launching fireworks at Coachella Island, and as expected, the game doesn't necessarily specify how to complete the objective. In this guide, we'll show you how to launch fireworks at Coachella in Fortnite.
Visit Coachella Island

The first step is to actually make your way to Coachella Island. You cannot complete this quest during a normal match and instead must head into a Creator Made Island. To do so, you'll need to head to Island Code from the game mode menu and utilize the code 5449-4207-1280. Then, launch into a match on Coachella Island.
Wait for the firework show to begin

Read more
How to damage opponents with the Lock On Pistol in Fortnite
The Lock On Pistol in Fortnite.

As part of a weekly challenge in Fortnite, players are tasked with dealing 200 damage with the Lock On Pistol. This challenge has caused some confusion, as acquiring the weapon isn't as consistent as players might have hoped. In this guide, we'll show you how to get your hands on the Lock On Pistol and how to deal 200 damage with it in Fortnite.
How to find the Lock On Pistol

First, you need to get your hands on the Lock On Pistol. Currently, the only known ways of finding one are by opening chests or collecting them from Supply Drops. The weapon isn't available from NPCs or any method just yet. This means you'll want to head to a high-traffic area like Mega City to find a bunch of chests. Keep in mind that Mega City will be busy, but there are plenty of chests available. If you want to play it safe, you can visit a different point of interest (POI). Keep opening chests until you get your hands on the Lock On Pistol.
How to deal 200 damage with the Lock On Pistol

Read more
How to survive storm phases carrying an Epic weapon in Fortnite
Character jumping while holding Epic weapon in Fortnite.

A new Fortnite challenge for surviving storm phases while carrying an Epic weapon has caused some confusion, as the quest's wording isn't exactly clear. Thankfully, the challenge is much easier than it seems, and once you know what to do, you can get through it relatively quickly. Here's how to survive storm phases while carrying an Epic weapon in Fortnite.
What is an Epic weapon?
Fortnite uses a rarity system with its weapons, which are denoted by colors. Purple weapons are Epic, but keep in mind you can utilize any weapon of higher rarity to complete this quest. As long as the weapon is at least Epic, you'll earn credit for surviving storm phases.
How to get an Epic weapon

There are several ways to get Epic weapons. One way is to simply find one from chests or as floor loot, but this isn't as reliable. You can also purchase Epic weapons from NPCs around the map. Nearly all main hubs have an NPC who sells weapons, so be sure to talk with them if you have the funds. Using an Upgrade Station is another solid option for collecting an Epic weapon, though it's expensive. Another option is to defeat the Highcard Boss found at Brutal Bastion, Shattered Slabs, and Mega City. Upon defeat, the Highcard Boss drops a Mythic Havoc Suppressed Rifle.
How to survive storm phases while carrying an Epic weapon

Read more