Gamers Are Arguing About What A ‘Dead Game’ Is
Can one of the worlds most popular titles actually be branded as a "dead game"?
Fortnite fans across social media exploded into life last night as the phrase "dead game" began trending on Twitter, with many jibes aimed towards Epic Games' playful FPS. Alongside games such as Fall Guys, Among Us, and audaciously even Overwatch, Fortnite was the topic of discussion, with many loyal and new fans leaping to its defence.
After its rise to fame in 2017, the battle royale has emerged through a massive fanbase overhaul, with many of the original old guard having moved on to more realistic games such as Call of Duty: Warzone, or titles with more eccentric abilities such as Apex Legends. Now, Fortnite is populated by the next generation of gamers, however, the game still comes under fire from those that have left it in their past.
So, with older gamers on one side, and younger players on the other, how is the fencepost that is the phrase "dead game" actually defined?
On the face value, a dead game is rather figurative. Games that are literally dead (discontinued) are the obvious titles that fall into this bracket. Classics such as Mario Kart Wii (Online), City Of Heroes, and Konami's horror game P.T., are now all out of development and can no longer be played, falling into the dead game genre.
Many people also use the term to describe a vastly cascading game that faces extinction. This is where titles such as Fortnite can fall into the conversation. Thankfully for the Epic Games' award-winning game, Fortnite is a misconception and is currently still as popular as ever. Recently, Fortnite sensation David “TheGrefg” Martínez smashed the Twitch concurrent viewership record with 2.7 million pairs of eyes watching him sport the brand-new skin designed to honour himself. The record eclipses the previous record four times over, as set by Tyler "Ninja" Blevins and pop-culture artist Drake, proving that Fortnite is still just as big as it once was, if not more popular.
Dead games can also be argued to be ones that are awaiting a sequel with player base tailing off amid a rapid return once the second instalment releases. This is where Overwatch falls into the discussion, although their esports scene is stronger than ever.
The debate had the Fortnite fans in a frenzy though, which may have been just what the old guard wanted, reeling them in hook, line, and sinker.
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