ChronoFive
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Setting the scene
Epic Games had launched Fortnite Save the World as a cooperative zombie-defense title; rival PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds proved last-player-standing shooters could dominate Twitch streams and console downloads.
What happened
Fortnite Battle Royale launched in September 2017 as a free-to-play mode on PC and consoles, dropping one hundred players onto an island with building mechanics inherited from Save the World's construction system.
Why it still matters
Crossovers and dances became youth culture through Marvel skins, Travis Scott concerts, and emote lawsuits; Fortnite's battle pass monetization reshaped how publishers fund live-service games beyond traditional sixty-dollar releases.
Background
Crossovers and dances became youth culture.