The Secret Formula: How Some Games Stay Alive While Others Die Off

Why do certain video games eventually get classified as “dead”, while others remain popular and well received for years on end? Is it the graphics? The content? The constant updates? Over the last decade, games like Fortnite and Minecraft have ruled the videogame world. But now, only one feels truly alive — and it’s not the one with lightsabers and Ariana Grande concerts. So what precisely is the secret formula that makes a game relevant, fun and alive years later?

When Fortnite exploded in 2017, it wasn’t just an ordinary videogame: it was a worldwide phenomenon. Although many initially believed that only young children were playing, it became clear that this was not the case. Pro-athletes, dads, and people all around the world fell in love with the magic that was Fortnite. Kids even began to skip school in order to play the new season with their friends. The game had flashy skins, heated build battles, and new battle passes every few months, all of which kept the game fresh and fun. The constant updates offered new mechanics to explore, the map kept shifting, there was always an overarching story that captivated the minds of many. But after some time, the very thing that gave Fortnite its thrill also gave it fatigue. People became tired of the forced constant updates that changed the core of the game too much, and they were also upset that the game had leaned too far into brand-deals rather than original ideas. Loyal players started to leave the game, and battle royale lobbies began to be filled with robots rather than real players. This dip in popularity affected the financial side of the company just as much. Fortnite's revenue peaked at $5.8 billion in 2021, and since then, estimates suggest a decline to $5.2 billion in 2022 and further to $4.43 billion in 2023.

In contrast to Fortnite, the ever-vanilla, ever-updated sandbox game that is Minecraft has remained a popular and beloved member of videogame Mount Rushmore for a decade and a half now. Unlike Fortnite, Minecraft does not need brand partnerships or celebrities to make their game better; in fact, they don’t use these tools at all. The basis of Minecraft is that the game is only as limited as the player makes it. From swimming in an underwater dwelling surrounded by dolphins to building a villager trading outpost, the game has unlimited possibilities. Not only has the Minecraft player base remained steady throughout its existence, but it's actually improved for years on end. During 2020, the game had surged to a monthly player base of 131 million players. And since then? It’s gotten even better. As of December 2024, Minecraft has a player base of approximately 204 million people, a statistic that will most likely continue to grow in the future.

So in the end.. What is the THE formula for a videogame?

1. Creative Freedom:

• Minecraft immerses players in a world of their own design, and there are potentially no bounds on what you can create in their own world.

• Fortnite tells players what they should be doing, season after season, and gives players limited options for doing it, such as vaulting certain weapons, every season.

2. Consistency Over Chaos:

• Minecraft does not change on a whim, but rather it evolves slowly and thoughtfully. Any player would say it still doesn't feel like anything other than the same game it was in 2012.

• Fortnite changes constantly. New mechanics, new weapons, new maps. It doesn’t even sometimes feel like Fortnite anymore.

3. Community Control:

• Minecraft lives for player-made mods, custom servers, and YouTube content.

• Epic Games is a top-down control for Fortnite. Players eat what they’re served.

4. Timeless Design:

• Minecraft’s blocky look never goes out of style — because it was never trying to be stylish.

• The cutting edge graphics and viral moments of Fortnite are fun, but trends die quickly.

Generally speaking, the secret formula for a great video game is not necessarily one of cutting-edge graphics or shoving excessive updates down the players’ throats. It’s focused on empowering players to make,explore, and genuinely own their experience. Fortnite was a firecracker — bright, loud, and impossible to miss. Minecraft is a campfire, one still crackling, still pulling people to it, all these years later. In the end, games shouldn’t aim to be the hottest thing on the market if their goal is long-term success. Rather, they should be something that keeps a loyal player base coming back for more experiences, no matter how old or outdated the game may seem.