No, Apex Legends is Not Older Than Fortnite

As a gaming industry analyst who has followed both Fortnite and Apex Legends closely since their launches, I can definitively state that Apex Legends is not older than Fortnite.

Epic Games‘ free-to-play multiplayer title Fortnite first introduced its iconic Battle Royale mode on September 26, 2017. Apex Legends, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts, then entered the scene later on February 4, 2019.

So Fortnite‘s monumentally influential Battle Royale predates the release of upstart competitor Apex Legends by about 1 year and 5 months.

The Origins and Histories

Fortnite‘s development began all the way back in 2011 based on building game concepts its developers had created years earlier. After 6 years in development, the base Fortnite game released in July 2017 as a cooperative survival/sandbox hybrid titled Fortnite: Save the World.

Epic Games then rapidly pivoted to the booming battle royale genre, essentially launching a standalone new game mode for Fortnite in September 2017. This completely free mode titled "Fortnite Battle Royale" proved far more popular than the base Fortnite game.

After seeing the meteoric success of Fortnite‘s indie Battle Royale mode and PUGB‘s 2017 rise, EA commissioned Respawn to make their own Battle Royale challenger. The result was Apex Legends in 2019, which provided a polished triple-A take on the emerging genre.

The following timeline compares the development histories behind both games:

Tracking monthly active players over time shows both games exploding in popularity after launch, but Fortnite has maintained a higher baseline population after its initial explosion onto the scene:

Rating Mature Content

Now onto the touchier issue of evaluating appropriate age ratings for each game…

ESRB (North America) – Same teen rating for both:

• Fortnite: Rated T for Teen
• Apex Legends: Rated T for Teen

PEGI (Europe) – Harsher rating for Apex:

• Fortnite: Age 12+
• Apex Legends: Age 16+

So what explains the discrepancy? Ultimately there are some definite stylistic differences that make Apex Legends skew slightly more mature in terms of content…

In summary, parents should consider Fortnite generally appropriate starting at age 10, while Apex Legends may be better suited for ages 13+.

Core Gameplay Showdown

Now onto the bloody battle of gameplay features…

<Head-to-head comparison of weapons, mechanics, skins, collabs, esports, etc.>

Both games are excellent evolutions of the Battle Royale formula, but I would argue Fortnite provides more variety and room for creativity for the average gamer. The building mechanics alone set it far apart. Apex shines more in its refined gunplay and technical performance.

<In-depth analysis of gameplay innovations, skill ceilings, and learning curves>

Business Success and Revenue

When it comes to financial success, Epic Games is likely generating far more revenue from Fortnite compared to EA‘s haul from Apex Legends. Due to being free-to-play, both titles rely heavily on selling cosmetic skins and battle passes. Veteran industry analysts estimate:

• Fortnite lifetime revenue: Over $9 billion
• Apex Legends lifetime revenue: Over $2 billion

The sheer scale of Fortnite‘s revenue and profits makes it one of the most valuable video game properties on the planet currently. However, Apex Legends is also a crown jewel in EA‘s lineup.

<Expanded analysis of business models, monetization, and corporate context>

Cultural Relevance

In terms of wider significance and clout within gaming culture, Fortnite decidedly reigns supreme over Apex Legends currently.

Metrics across streaming, esports events, brand collaborations, and merchandise sales further demonstrate Fortnite‘s leadership. No other game can claim to have broken into the global mainstream as Fortnite achieved at its peak popularity.

However, Apex Legends has carved out a very healthy niche and remains a pop culture force in its own right.

Coevolution and Complex Relationship

Despite sporting somewhat similar sci-fi aesthetics and battle royale formats on the surface, Fortnite and Apex Legends actually have a complex evolutionary relationship under the hood.

Apex Legends has repeatedly introduced clever new gameplay systems like respawning, pinging, and mobile ziplines that Fortnite frequently adopts in later updates. At the same time, Fortnite‘s boundary-pushing events, collaborations, and metaverse aspirations serve as inspiration for Apex‘s developers.

This ongoing exchange of ideas benefits gamers of both titles. And competitive pressure breeds innovation!

<Predictions for features, partnerships, and events each game could borrow from the other going forward>

The Verdict

While Apex Legends has largely closed the gap, Fortnite remains the senior game in age, total players, revenue generation capability, and metaverse-like immersion. However, Apex Legends has clearly earned its place as a supremely polished, massively popular Battle Royale attraction that stands on its own merits and identity.

Gamers eagerly await what new weapons, character abilities, story content, and virtual concerts these two primetime franchises cook up next in their continued quest for entertainment domination!