Epic Games' "Fortnite," that came out in July 2017, quickly took the world by storm when the battle royale genre was still new. Even though there were a lot of other popular competitors with a huge fanbase in the same category, "Fortnite's" unique take on the battle royale style turned it into a worldwide phenomenon even though its original co-op zombie mode had a rough start.

An interview with Rod Fergusson, the former director of production of Epic Games, at E3 2019, revealed that "Fortnite" wouldn't even exist today because it was very close to getting canceled when he was still in charge.

Because the game's initial goal was only the development of the "Save the World" mode, the popular battle royale component, which is the reason for "Fortnite's" success, was still not the concept for the game and there were many challenges for them during its development.

How Rod Fergusson almost canceled 'Fortnite'

Rod Fergusson, who is currently the studio head at "The Coalition" company and is currently working on Gears 5, revealed that "Fortnite" gained popularity when he left Epic. The ex-employee told Game Informer that people ask him questions like "Are you disappointed you left when you did?" all the time and Rod said that they should be "kissing his feet" because he would have absolutely canceled "Fortnite" had he stayed at Epic.

Here's the clip from the interview:

Players know that "Fortnite's" original mode isn't that attractive as compared to the battle royale mode due to its frustrating progression system. Rod also mentioned that "As the director of the production at the time, that game would not have passed my bar for something we should have continued to keep going."

While the credit also goes to the current Epic Games employees, who work hard to bring new content to the game almost every week the former boss said that "I’m super happy for their success.

That game you love, the worldwide sensation, it would not exist had I stayed at Epic.” Rod Fergusson left Epic Games in 2012 and "Fortnite's" initial release was in 2017 which means that it took five years for Epic to improve the game and add the battle royale component to it at the time when the genre was at its peak.

What's next in 'Fortnite?'

"Fortnite: Battle Royale's" popularity isn't lowering anytime soon because the latest update in the game has introduced a sea monster, which is big enough to carry a whole castle with it around the main island. Players will just have to wait to find out what Epic Games has in its mind for the monster because every season of the game has a unique and never-seen-before event before it reaches its conclusion.
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