The wildly popular game, Fortnite, has recently made a significant change to its system requirements on PC. As of January 2023, the game now requires Windows 10 or higher in order to run. This has caused some uproar amongst the gaming community, with many players now unable to run the game on their older operating systems.
For those who may be unfamiliar with Fortnite, it is an online multiplayer game that has taken the gaming world by storm. Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite allows players to battle it out in a variety of game modes, with the ultimate goal of being the last player or team standing. The game is free to play, but offers in-game purchases that allow players to customize their characters and weapons.
While Fortnite has been available on PC for several years now, the game’s system requirements have gradually increased over time. Initially, the game only required a basic PC setup to run, but as Epic Games has continued to add new features and improve the game’s graphics, the requirements have become more demanding. This is not an unusual trend in the gaming industry, as newer games often require more powerful hardware in order to run smoothly.
However, the decision to require Windows 10 or higher as a minimum system requirement has caused some frustration amongst the game’s player base. This is largely due to the fact that many players may not have upgraded to Windows 10 yet, either due to personal preference or hardware limitations. This means that players who are unable to upgrade their operating system will no longer be able to play Fortnite on their PC.
There are a few reasons why Epic Games may have made this decision. Firstly, Windows 10 is the most widely used version of Windows currently available, with a market share of over 80%. This means that the vast majority of PC gamers are already using Windows 10, so the impact of this change may be relatively small. Additionally, Windows 10 offers a number of benefits over older versions of Windows, including improved performance and security features. By requiring Windows 10, Epic Games may be able to ensure that players are experiencing the game at its best.
Another potential reason for this change is related to Epic Games’ ongoing legal battle with Apple. In 2020, Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple over the App Store’s policies, which require developers to use Apple’s in-app payment system and pay a 30% commission on all sales. As part of this dispute, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, which led to Epic Games launching a campaign against Apple and encouraging players to #FreeFortnite. It’s possible that by requiring Windows 10, Epic Games is trying to reduce its reliance on the App Store and increase its presence on other platforms.
Of course, not everyone is happy about this change. Many players have taken to social media to express their frustration, with some even calling for a boycott of the game. Some have argued that requiring Windows 10 is a cash grab by Epic Games, as it may force players to upgrade their hardware in order to continue playing the game. Others have pointed out that this change may disproportionately affect players in developing countries, where older hardware and operating systems are more common.
Despite the backlash, it’s important to remember that this kind of change is not uncommon in the gaming industry. As technology advances and games become more complex, it’s natural that system requirements will become more demanding. Additionally, Epic Games is a business, and it’s within their rights to set the minimum requirements for their game. Players who are unable to meet these requirements can still play Fortnite on other platforms, such as mobile devices or gaming consoles.
Overall, the decision to require Windows 10 or higher as a minimum system requirement for Fortnite on PC is a significant change that has caused some controversy amongst players. While there may be valid reasons for this change, it’s clear that not everyone is happy about it. As with any change in the gaming industry, there will always be those who resist and those who embrace it. Ultimately, it will be up to players to decide whether they want to upgrade their operating system in order to continue playing Fortnite on their PC, or if they will switch to other platforms to play the game. Regardless of what players decide, one thing is for certain: Fortnite is likely to continue being a major player in the gaming industry for years to come.
