Despite a high-profile crossover with Star Wars, one of the most recognizable franchises in the world, Fortnite has just recorded its lowest average monthly player count in two years. The dip in numbers comes during what should have been a major engagement boost—an expansive Star Wars-themed season currently live in the game, complete with legacy characters, weekly updates, and a culminating live event set for June 7.
Numbers Show Two-Year Low
According to Fortnite.gg, Fortnite averaged 1,039,379 players across May 2025. That figure marks the lowest monthly average since May 2023, when Chapter 4 Season 2 was active. At the time, the “Mega Tokyo” point of interest had just been introduced—a period also marked by decreased engagement.
From May 3 to June 3, 2025, there was a 24-hour peak of 1.293 million players.
The player count from May 3-June 3 2025 during the Fortnite Star Wars event – Fortnite.gg
The player base briefly surged in December 2024 with the launch of Chapter 6, which brought the average up to 2,166,185. Since then, numbers have steadily declined month-over-month:
- February 2025: 1,550,893
- April 2025: 1,133,442
- May 2025: 1,039,379
This trajectory has continued despite the introduction of a Star Wars crossover event on May 2. The update brought themed cosmetics, weekly in-game content, and promotion for a major finale event titled “Death Star Sabotage,” scheduled for June 7.
Disney–Epic Deal Looms in Background
The timing of the decline is significant given Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, announced in early 2024. The deal was pitched as a strategic initiative to build a persistent Disney-branded digital universe inside Fortnite, using characters and settings from across its intellectual property portfolio—Star Wars included.
A screenshot of an interaction with the AI Darth Vader in Fortnite – YouTube, Geeks + Gamers
That partnership was framed as a long-term engagement platform across gaming, storytelling, and merchandising. With Fortnite now seeing a multi-month decline in player count culminating during a Star Wars event, some analysts may interpret the numbers as a signal of franchise fatigue, particularly in the gaming sector.
While there is no indication that the Star Wars content directly caused the drop, the data shows that the crossover was not enough to reverse or even stabilize the trend.
Broader Decline in Star Wars Popularity
The declining numbers also align with broader questions about the Star Wars brand’s current drawing power. Across film, streaming, and merchandise, Star Wars has faced notable challenges in recent years.
On Disney+, multiple Star Wars series have underperformed relative to their budgets and marketing. Viewership for shows like The Acolyte, Andor, and Obi-Wan Kenobi has not matched the high expectations set by The Mandalorian’s early seasons. Despite major promotional efforts, many of these series have seen limited audience retention beyond premiere episodes.
(Third from left): Mae Aniseya (Amandla Stenberg) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, season one, exclusively on Disney+. ©.
In theaters, the franchise has not had a new film release since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. While several new film projects have been announced—including titles from James Mangold, Dave Filoni, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy—none have yet entered production. Release dates continue to shift, and Lucasfilm has faced internal restructuring amid delays and creative turnover.
Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to release in May 2026 and will be the first Star Wars theatrical release in seven years. That marks the longest theatrical dry spell for the franchise since Disney purchased it in October 2012.
(L-R): Boba Fett (Temuera Morrison) and the Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) in Lucasfilm’s THE BOOK OF BOBA FETT, exclusively on Disney+. © 2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.
Meanwhile, consumer product sales tied to Star Wars have reportedly slowed, with retail interest shifting to other franchises such as Marvel (Spider-Man specifically) and Minecraft-branded merchandise.
These trends suggest that Star Wars’ ability to move engagement numbers—particularly among younger audiences in gaming environments—may be diminishing.
Fortnite Still Performing Above Industry Average
It’s important to note that Fortnite’s current figures still place it among the most played games in the world. A monthly average of over 1 million active players is far beyond what most multiplayer titles experience this far into their life cycle. The game first launched in 2017 and remains a dominant force in the battle royale space.
Key art for Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2 (2024), Epic Games
But when you consider that the all-time peak player count for the game was a mere six months ago at 14,343,880 players, the current drop seems extreme if not downright catastrophic.
Epic Games has shown concern for player retention in the past, often recalibrating seasons and promotional efforts based on community feedback and engagement metrics. The upcoming Chapter 6 Season 3 is expected to include another crossover-heavy theme, reportedly centered on superhero characters, which could provide a short-term lift if well-received.
The June 7 “Death Star Sabotage” event may also serve as a final opportunity for Star Wars to leave a stronger impression before the game shifts directions again.
What’s Next for Epic and Disney?
As Epic continues to serve as the digital home for major media tie-ins, the company’s ability to maintain momentum will likely factor into the future success of Disney’s long-term strategy. The $1.5 billion investment was seen as a signal that Disney is banking on its characters and franchises remaining relevant to a digital-native audience.
If branded content fails to consistently draw players in gaming’s most accessible mainstream platform, that strategy could require reevaluation—especially as competitors like Roblox and Minecraft continue to grow more organically through user-generated content rather than licensed properties.
Characters in the Disney x Epic Games trailer
For now, all eyes will be on June 7, when Fortnite’s Star Wars finale event launches globally and Chapter 6 Season 3 begins. Epic is expected to release additional engagement data in the weeks that follow.
Are you surprised at the Fortnite Star Wars player count? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
UP NEXT: Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit Closing Permanently August 2025 After 16 Years of Thrills
