BattleRoyale

BattleRoyale is a subgenre of video games, and a literary and cinematic genre, that centers on a large number of competitors fighting to be the last survivor or team standing. The core premise typically involves players being dropped onto a large, isolated map with limited resources. As the game progresses, a safe zone shrinks, forcing players into closer proximity and increasing the likelihood of conflict. Players scavenge for weapons, armor, and other useful items scattered throughout the environment. Elimination of opponents is the primary objective, with the ultimate goal of outlasting all other competitors.

The genre gained widespread popularity with the release of games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and Fortnite Battle Royale in 2017. These titles established many of the conventions now common in the genre, including the shrinking play area, the emphasis on looting, and the last-person-standing victory condition. Subsequent games have iterated on this formula, introducing unique mechanics, different settings, and varying player counts.

Beyond video games, the concept of a "battle royale" has been popularized by Koushun Takami's 2000 novel, Battle Royale, and its 2000 film adaptation. These works depict a dystopian scenario where a group of students are forced to fight to the death on an isolated island. The narrative themes often explore survival, morality, and societal control. The term "battle royale" itself has become synonymous with this type of elimination-style competition.