What Was Fortnite Supposed to be Called?
The answer, quite simply, is Fortnite: Save the World. Before it became the global phenomenon known for its battle royale mode, Fortnite was conceived as a cooperative player-versus-environment (PvE) game, focusing on survival, base-building, and defending against waves of zombies. This initial vision was released to the public under the title “Fortnite: Save the World.”
The Genesis of Fortnite
The development of Fortnite can be traced back to a game jam session at Epic Games around 2011, following the release of Gears of War 3. The team wanted to create something “different and fun,” leading them to explore the concept of merging construction games, similar to Minecraft and Terraria, with shooter mechanics. This experimental fusion laid the groundwork for what would eventually be known as Fortnite: Save the World. The core gameplay involved four players working together to build fortifications, craft weapons, and fend off hordes of zombie-like creatures, often referred to as “husks.”
Initially, the game didn’t have any hint of the massive battle royale craze that would later define it. Fortnite was designed as a survival game at its core. Players had to gather resources, construct defenses, and strategically place traps to survive. The focus was on cooperative gameplay and strategic planning, rather than the last-person-standing format that currently dominates the game’s identity.
The Shift to Battle Royale
While Fortnite: Save the World established the game’s initial identity, the emergence of PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds) and its massive success reignited the battle royale genre. Seeing the potential of this game format, Epic Games adapted its existing mechanics to create Fortnite Battle Royale. This free-to-play mode quickly gained unprecedented popularity, eclipsing Fortnite: Save the World and becoming the primary face of the Fortnite brand.
Although overshadowed by its battle royale counterpart, Fortnite: Save the World still exists. It continues to be updated with new content and features, albeit on a smaller scale than Fortnite Battle Royale. It is no longer located on the game mode selection screen, but has been relocated to the “Discover” menu.
The Name “Fortnite”
The name “Fortnite” itself carries a subtle, yet clever double meaning. On the surface, it refers to the fortnight, a period of two weeks. However, it also encapsulates the essential elements of the game’s original concept: fort-building, knight battles, and the constant threat of the stormy darkness represented by the “husks.” This name proved versatile enough to fit the original survival gameplay and the later battle royale format.
The Unique Legacy of Save the World
Though often forgotten amidst the Battle Royale hype, Fortnite: Save the World represents the foundation of Fortnite and its origins. It serves as a testament to the creative process and the willingness of game developers to evolve. Save the World continues to offer a different, but still engaging, gameplay experience for players who enjoy cooperative survival and building mechanics. It remains a core piece of the Fortnite experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Fortnite exist in 2011?
Yes, Fortnite began as an internal game jam project at Epic Games around 2011, following the publishing of Gears of War 3. This initial concept ultimately led to the development of Fortnite: Save the World.
2. Was Fortnite originally a zombie game?
Yes, Fortnite was originally developed as a cooperative PvE zombie game, now known as Fortnite: Save the World. The initial concept revolved around players working together to build structures and defend against waves of zombie-like creatures called “husks.”
3. Why did Epic Games call it “Fortnite?”
The name “Fortnite” is a play on words. It refers to a fortnight (two weeks), but also alludes to the game’s elements: fort-building, knight-like battles, and the looming darkness of the storm clouds and the husks.
4. What type of game was Fortnite initially intended to be?
Fortnite was initially designed to be a cooperative survival game, akin to Minecraft or 7 Days to Die. It focused on base building, crafting, and defending against hordes of enemies.
5. Does Save the World still exist?
Yes, Fortnite: Save the World still exists but has been relocated from the game mode select screen to the “Discover” menu. It can not be played on Nintendo Switch.
6. Is Fortnite just a shooter game?
While Fortnite Battle Royale is primarily a shooter game, Fortnite in its entirety also encompasses Fortnite: Save the World, which is a cooperative hybrid tower defense-shooter.
7. What is “whisper” in Fortnite?
In Fortnite, “whisper” refers to a private messaging feature where you can talk to someone in private. If you have someone as a friend on the platform, you can choose to ‘whisper’ to them.
8. What is the age rating for Fortnite?
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board rates Fortnite “T” for teen, which means ages 13 and up. Common Sense Media also recommends the game for kids 13 and up due to its action violence and open chat.
9. Is Fortnite okay for 10-year-olds?
Common Sense Media recommends Fortnite for ages 13 and up because of the action violence and open chat. However, each child is different, and parents should assess the game’s appropriateness for their specific child.
10. Why is Fortnite sometimes considered unhealthy?
Fortnite, like many online games, includes in-game voice and text chat, which can expose children to profanity, racial slurs, sexual content, and other negative behaviors. It is crucial to have parental control settings to mitigate these risks.
11. Does Fortnite have brain benefits?
Some studies suggest that visual-spatial activities such as Fortnite can promote growth in the parts of the brain related to visualizing and manipulating objects. However, excessive gaming can have negative impacts on mental and physical health.
12. Was Fortnite ever a horror game?
While Fortnite is not typically considered a horror game, its creative mode allows users to create custom maps of various genres, including horror. This provides the experience of horror maps in Fortnite.
13. Why did Fortnite change its name in China?
In China, Fortnite was known as “Fortress Night” and operated by Tencent Games. The game has since been shut down in China.
14. Why might my Fortnite display name be automatically reset?
If your Epic Games display name has been automatically reset, it’s because you’ve violated one of their Community Guidelines.
15. What is a fortnight?
A fortnight is a period of two weeks (14 days). The name of the game is a pun on the term and what is the central premise of the game – fort building.