Fortnite, the battle royale game that was once considered the best game of all time, is back and better than ever. Epic Games recently took the players on a trip down memory lane with the introduction of “OG Fortnite.” This limited-timed event aims to reintroduce the experience of the early days of Fortnite by bringing back the old map, old weapons, and gameplay mechanics. There was even a chance for players to experience waiting in a queue for the first time in ages. As the first week of OG Fortnite comes to a close, here are some of the most exhilarating experiences and noteworthy moments that came with this nostalgic return to the game’s roots.
The map will be updated each Thursday to the next season (or two) in chronological order before concluding with Season X in early December.
- Nov. 3 to Nov. 9: Season 5
- Nov. 9 to Nov. 16: Season 6
- Nov. 16 to Nov. 23: Seasons 7 and 8
- Nov. 23 to Dec. 2: Seasons 9 and X
- Dec. 2: Fortnite OG ends
With everything from Pleasant Park’s humble beginnings to Tilted Towers’s treacherous terrain, the old Fortnite map provided a sense of familiarity and nostalgia for players. Exploring the iconic locations once more reminded the players of the game’s progression and how much has changed in their lives as well as the game since it first came out. Saturday, November 4th, was the biggest in the game’s history, with more than 44 million players leaping off the battle bus for a total of 102 million hours of play (about 11,600 years worth) in a single day. Five years later, Fortnite has managed to break all of its original records.
What’s especially interesting is the fact that back when OG Fortnite first came out, none of the players knew how much it would change. No one had any idea that the original island would get sucked into a black hole. Prior to the new season, the Fortnite map featured a sprawling cyberpunk city with skyscraper-size holograms, a dense jungle with temples to explore, and vampire strongholds you could loot for top-tier weapons. Oppositely, Fortnite OG is simplistic, consisting of mostly grassy terrain and less complex weaponry. With the reintroduction of the previously vaulted assault weapons, Epic added a nostalgic touch and also provided a fresh gameplay experience for those accustomed to the game’s current loot pool.
At a time in games when everything old is new again, it’s nice for players to look back on what this game used to be — and even reflect on change in their real lives too — even if only for a little bit.
