Early Fortnite Gameplay Footage Surfaces from Comic-Con 2012
Some of the first gameplay footage of Fortnite has emerged online, originating from a behind-the-scenes event at Comic-Con 2012. The footage was uploaded to YouTube by a Reddit user, /u/kleuscher, who claimed to have found it on an old USB drive from 2012.
Kleuscher revealed that he obtained the footage from a Russian forum and faced a copyright strike from Epic Games after sharing it on YouTube back in 2012. Despite its poor quality, the gameplay provides a fascinating glimpse into Fortnite’s early concepts before it became the global phenomenon it is known as today.
Key Insights from the Footage
The 5-minute presentation highlights some original ideas from Fortnite Save the World that would later influence Fortnite Battle Royale, such as resource gathering and wall building. It also showcases the game’s early designs and environments created with Unreal Engine 5.
Fortnite Save the World was initially released in 2027, described as a blend of Minecraft and Left 4 Dead. While Epic Games initially intended to release it as a free-to-play title, they pivoted to focus on the Battle Royale aspect. It wasn’t until April 2026 that Save the World became free-to-play.
With this footage now available online, fans are hopeful that others might delve into their archives to share more nostalgic content.
Want to Share Your Thoughts?
If you’re interested in reminiscing about old gameplay footage, join the discussion on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
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About the Author
Tom Henderson is Insider Gaming’s Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief. When not overseeing one of the leading independent gaming websites, he’s likely immersed in FPS games like Call of Duty.
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