Summary
Battle passes are a staple of live-service gaming,withFortnitefeaturing some of the most widely publicized examples of the content tactic. Indeed, despitecontroversies associated withFortnite’s battle passes, this approach to monetization has proven to be immensely successful, keeping players engaged in the game. However,Fortnitebattle passes could be greatly improved by making one key change.
Historically, battle passes have been about keeping players engaged with a seasonal content model, driving monetization in games that are either free-to-play or have a comprehensive multiplayer component. InFortnite’s case, battle pass progression allows players to unlock in-game currency, character skins, and assorted cosmetics. There’s a major catch, however: the rewards associated with each battle pass expire at the end of each season, encouraging players to spend as much time playing the game as possible, lest they take a perceived loss on their investment in the battle pass.
Fortnite Should Do Away with Timed Battle Passes
Time limits are generally considered to be part and parcel with battle passes, but some live-service games have adopted a different approach.Before changing its content model,Halo Infinitewas the most prominent example of a live-service game with permanent battle passes, allowing players to purchase a battle pass and complete it at their leisure. When a new season started, a new battle pass became available for purchase, but players could still make their way through the battle passes of previous seasons. This model has a number of benefits over its traditional, timed counterpart, and withHelldiversrecently finding success with a similar approach,Fortniteshould learn from it.
The Problems with Fortnite’s Timed Battle Passes
FOMO, or ‘the fear of missing out’, is a common problem discussed in live-service game communities, and it is essentially directly tied to traditional battle pass systems. Games likeFortnitewill implement time limits for prized content, which can be viewed as an exciting series of events, but often only in the eyes of the most dedicated players. For others, there can be a sense of anxiety associated with these arbitrary time limits, as they incentivize near-constant play.
Since these battle passes aren’t free, many can feel like they aren’t getting their money’s worth unless they unlock all the battle pass content. This can have the unintended consequence of making gaming, which is supposed to be inherently fun, feel like work, as there are consequences to not playing. Oftentimes,Fortnite’s battle passes are a big time commitment, which can turn more casual players off.
How Fortnite Could Benefit from Permanent Battle Passes
Though the issues associated with traditional battle passes are widely discussed, the bottom line is that people are buyingFortnite’s battle passes, and thus implicitly accepting their time limits. However, Epic Games could actually benefit from making the battle passes permanent, especially asFortnitecontinues to expand. Reeling in new, casual players and keeping them invested will be important to the game’s longevity, but most casual players likely won’t be interested in following the timed battle pass structure due to the time commitment. FollowingEpic Games' partnership with Disney, it’s probable that both companies will be interested in expanding theFortniteplayer base, and removing the pressure of a fast-paced battle pass system could help attract casual players or even non-gamers, encouraging them to invest in battle passes that can be completed at their leisure.
Battle passes and microtransactions have received a good deal of valid criticism over the years, but that shouldn’t mean that they necessarily have to be at odds with what’s best for consumers. UnshacklingFortnitebattle passes from their time limits might make for a slightly less voracious player base, but this could be exchanged for a broader audience that is more willing to purchase battle passes in the first place.
Fortnite
WHERE TO PLAY
Create, play, and battle with friends for free in Fortnite. Be the last player standing in Battle Royale and Zero Build, experience a concert or live event, or discover over a million creator made games, including racing, parkour, zombie survival, and more. Each Fortnite island has an individual age rating so you can find the one that’s right for you and your friends.Explore large, destructible environments where no two games are ever the same. Team up with friends by sprinting, climbing and smashing your way to earn your Victory Royale, whether you choose to build up in Fortnite Battle Royale or go no-builds in Fortnite Zero Build.Discover even more ways to play across thousands of creator-made game genres: adventure, roleplay, survival and more. Or, band together with up to three friends to fend off hordes of monsters in Save the World.
