In 2017, the lives of many current high school students were much simpler. Teachers barely assigned any homework, so the students had much more free time to do whatever they wanted. In the fall, the free time of many of those students became consumed by the new, hot game, Fortnite.
People of all ages became captivated by this “battle royale” style of game. It consisted of 100 random people jumping out of the flying “battle bus” and scouring an island for weapons and supplies. The goal of the game is to eliminate your opponents and survive until you are the last one standing, better known as a “victory royale.” These victories come few and far between, but the feeling of a first win is something not many forget.
While the game is still wildly popular today, the peak of fun and excitement for many consumers lasted about two years. The island many players knew better than the back of their hands was destroyed, and a new island was created. The game lost many of its oldest players but managed to attract many new players along the way. Fortnite collaborated with Marvel and Disney to have new skins added to the game; players could play as Iron Man or even as the Mandalorian.
After four long years, Epic Games, the company that created Fortnite, announced that they were re-releasing the old island for players new and old to play. Taking away all of the new weapons and the new island and exchanging them with the island everyone remembers.
The community was ecstatic to finally be able to play their beloved game. Many players spent years trying to fill the void with other games, trying to get that same feeling Fortnite provided. This was their opportunity, their “last dance” if you will. One full month of nothing but nostalgia and joviality, what more could someone ask for?
When the news spread, people started to call up old friends, wanting to reform their old “squad” and dominate the lobbies just as they had six years ago. Streamers who gained most of their following from Fortnite but ended up quitting due to the changes decided to come out of retirement for a few weeks to catch a glimpse at the good old days. Opening llamas or thanking the bus driver might sound alien to outside observers, but those in-game experiences hold deep meaning for players all around the globe.
On the Fortnite island, there is no shortage of places you can land. Someone skilled at the game might want to go to a location with a high player density such as Tilted Towers. For less experienced players who prefer a slow-paced game, Snobby Shores may be a better option. But whatever the case may be, there is only one question left to be answered, where are you dropping this season?
