The Latest Fortnite And Rocket League Updates Are Exactly Why They Outlive Other Games
I’m not exactly what you’d call a fan, but the latest update for Fortnite called Chapter 4 Season 2 looks so exciting it even invited an old dog like me back to learn some new tricks. This adaptability is precisely why it is such a ubiquitous phenomenon.
While others tried and died from the old business model formulas, Fortnite basically revolutionized the F2P (free-to-play) model by always staying fresh. It didn’t invent this method, but those responsible probably know the viability of the market better than anyone else out there. (I said ‘well’).
As I mentioned in the beginning, many upcoming games will try to replicate Fortnite’s success. Sony actually hired the person who created the Battle Pass system to ostensibly help them with their upcoming multiplayer-only spin-off, The Last of Us.
As someone who has his ear firmly planted in the gaming scene, I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that open-world AAA single-player titles will become a rarity in the years to come as development costs are quite high is doubling with each generation of consoles, while the rise in the price of games doesn’t even keep pace with inflation.
Photo: Epic Games
For example, the $60 Zelda Breath of the Wild that came out in 2017 would now cost almost $74 adjusted for inflation, and the current price for such a game is $70.
So if companies like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft… you name it, don’t find a way to make a goose that lays golden eggs like Fortnite or Rocket League, then unfortunately something will distribute.
This brings us to perhaps the most adaptable video game in history that has just released Chapter 4 Season 2, with a bunch of gnarly traversal mechanics, a new bike and vehicle, and a whole host of weapons and all sorts of cool items to make you the ultimate winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
There are actually two bikes, but you can’t ride one unless you pay the Battle Pass fee and reach level 26. Also, it’s just a glider in the shape of a bike, so you won’t ride it unless you’re off the school bus-like plane jumps.
Photo: Epic Games
I had to play for a short time and I can tell you the car feels and sounds great and the bike just looks ‘sick’. If you’re in a party or a team, I would recommend riding a bike every time for one simple reason: remember the Terminator 2 motorcycle scene? It reminds me of that, and it just looks bad.
Another bittersweet thing I got to try was the traversal system from MEGA City. The sweet part was that it reminded me of Sunset Overdrive (a great game btw) and the bitter part was that there aren’t enough of them. It’s fun to grind the rails out of town, but it’s all over way too soon. There’s also a so-called “Drift Ridge” car track, which I won’t spoil, but you should definitely check it out.
You don’t have to be a fan to see that Fortnite will last and survive for a long, long time because it’s not afraid to adapt and shake things up. Not to mention that it incorporates elements of pop culture like no other game has done before.
Speaking of other games, we have Epic’s Rocket League, which was also recently updated. Oh, and as a side note, the Battle Pass designer helping out Sony now is no stranger to Rocket League monetization, if you know what I mean.
Photo: Epic Games
Season 10 started in this ridiculous game where you kick around a giant ball and try to score with cars. Or is it a regular sized ball but the cars are really tiny? I don’t think we have any confirmation on that yet.
The Rocket Pass includes the European favorite Volkswagen Golf GTI, which uses the Octane hitbox, which is basically a body type that differs from other body types in terms of length, width, height and so on. Don’t fret about it.
If you didn’t have a chance to spend all of your Season 9 Tournament Credits, they were automatically converted to rewards. You’ll also find a new arena called Deadeye Canyon, along with a soft reset of the competitive playlists.
While Rocket League’s new season doesn’t offer any content fit for a king’s ransom, it’s at least free, and along with Fortnite there’s no shortage of F2P titles to enjoy this weekend.