How to play Fortnite

Everyone’s talking about it, now you want to join as well. We’re talking about Fortnite of course! This online game of battle royale blends survival elements with open world exploration and resource scavenging for a fun experience that’s always a little different each time you play. The last person standing wins the round, which can be tricky when you’re playing against real people in an MMO match. There’s a lot to pay attention to if you’re just starting out, but no worries. We’ll get you up and running in no time at all.

How to play Fortnite on different platforms, the game modes, and what to expect as a newbie – all of that and more will be discussed in our article today.

First things first: How to play Fortnite on your preferred console and platform

Good news first: Fortnite is a free game regardless of where you play, so it’s really easy to get into. The exact platforms available depend on which game mode you choose. We’ll discuss game modes in a bit; for now, just stick with us and let’s have an overview.

Currently, you can play Fortnite in Battle Royale, Zero Build and Creative mode on:

• Playstation
• Xbox
• Nintendo Switch
• PC
• The Epic Games App for Android

Save the World game mode is available for:

• Playstation
• Xbox
• PC

Unfortunately, iOS users and those preferring the GooglePlay store are out of luck at the moment: only players who had the 13.40 version installed previously still have access to this version. New players wondering how to play Fortnite will have to choose a different platform, as installs aren’t possible right now and there are no updates planned for these platforms.

How to play Fortnite: The different Game Modes

Now, let’s briefly look at those game modes we mentioned. Depending on which mode you choose, you’ll have a slightly different experience with the game.

Battle Royale is the classic and most well-known game mode. It is a battle royal experience with a twist in the form of building. A little like Minecraft if you’re into battle online servers, but more battle focused on the combat and a lot less blocky.

Zero Build takes the building out of the game, just as the name describes. Here, it’s all about the fight!

Creative Mode is in some ways the opposite of zero build: here, it’s all about creating your own island in an open sandbox, as well as discovering featured islands the community has created. 

Save the World is the game’s PvE mode: you against the whole world! Hordes of monsters need to be held back while building fortresses, fending off other teams, and making sure you get the best loot.

With all of these, you can decide how many people you want to play with. Solos, Duos and Squads are all possible. Okay, but enough of the theory. Let’s finally get into how to play Fortnite when you’re actually in the game.

How to play Fortnite as a beginner

So, you have the game on your favorite platform, picked your game mode and team size, and are ready to start! Awesome. What now? Don’t fret, we’ve still got you covered. To look at how to pla Fortnite, let’s assume for now you went for a classic experience and are playing battle royale by yourself to dip your toes in.

Before the match starts, you’ll find yourself into a lobby where you can practice the game for a short moment. It’s less than a minute, so make sure to focus on the basics. Get a handle on the controls and make sure you know how to get around. Next, you’ll see a screen where you’re flown across the island your battle will be taking place on. Your character will be in a bus carried by a hot air balloon, and it’ll be up to you to give the command to jump out, which will determine where you’ll land and start playing. Once you’ve glided down, you’ll be tasked with finding loot like healing items, weapons and materials for crafting, all grouped by color into different levels of rarity.

Make sure you keep an eye on your surroundings while doing this, because the other players might be nearby and out for the hunt. On top of that, a storm will sweep the island every so often, forcing players currently far apart closer together and dealing increasing damage the longer the match lasts. Use your materials to build walls and ramps to shield yourself from attacks and don’t worry if the first match feels a bit hectic.

You’ll get the hang of it real quick!

FAQ – Frequently asked questions