Battle Royale games are losing players rapidly as sandbox games take over: Report

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Battle Royale games like Fortnite and Warzone were incredibly popular for a long time, but recent data shows that people are starting to lose interest in this type of game.

A new report from NewZoo shows that while Battle Royale games are becoming less popular, open-world sandbox games are seeing a significant rise in player engagement between 2024 and 2025.

Battle Royale games usually involve many players competing in matches until only one winner is left. Sandbox games, on the other hand, are about exploring vast, open worlds with lots of freedom. A recent report suggests that players are now increasingly preferring these open-world, sandbox-style games.

Battle Royale interest drops as sandbox games surge

According to Nexus Hub, a recent NewZoo report shows a significant shift in popularity among leading gaming genres.

A new report from NewZoo shows that while interest in Battle Royale games decreased by 27% between 2024 and 2025, open-world sandbox games saw a significant 36% increase in popularity during the same period.

With shooting games down 5%, role-playing games down 1%, and adventure games up 6%, a 27% decrease and 36% increase overall represent a significant shift in just one year.

The report showed that playtime for several popular games decreased last year. Fortnite saw a 29% drop, while Apex Legends experienced a 24% decline. Call of Duty’s popularity also fell significantly, with a 33% decrease in playtime. Overwatch and Destiny 2 also saw sharp drops, with declines of 29% and 40% respectively.

Even so, games such as Minecraft and Roblox have remained incredibly popular, demonstrating a significant change in what players want and like to play.

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2026-03-13 19:50