Fortnite is a free-to-play battle royale and live-service game developed and published by Epic Games, a U.S. company. Its main mode, Fortnite Battle Royale, launched on September 26, 2017, after the broader Fortnite project began with early access in 2017. What started as a cooperative survival game idea at Epic Games transformed into a global hit through the Battle Royale format, with Chapter 1 Season 1 starting on October 26, 2017. The game has become known for rapid seasonal reinvention rather than fixed expansions, which is why fans often collect art by chapter and season.
The most recognizable eras include the original Chapter 1 map, Chapter 2's reboot, Chapter 3's shorter arc, Chapter 4, and the later Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 seasonal cycles. Major themed seasons such as Myths & Mortals (March 9 to May 24, 2024), Wrecked (May 24 to August 16, 2024), and Absolute Doom (August 16 to November 2, 2024, with a Marvel theme) have drawn especially strong fan recognition. Fortnite for iOS released on April 2, 2018, during Season 3, before later platform changes reshaped access to the game. As Fortnite advances through Chapter 6 and into Chapter 7-era seasonal updates, each new cycle brings fresh visual identities that define the game's evolving story.