Fortnite has been one of the most popular online games among children and teenagers since its release in 2017. The game is approved for ages 12 and up, but is often used by much younger players.
Fortnite is a so-called battle royale game in which people fight against each other. There are currently three game variants: In the paid mode “Save The World” you have to build a fortress with other players to protect the last human survivors from zombies. Far better known and more popular is the free variant “Fortnite Battle Royale”, in which the goal is to kill all fellow players in order to survive yourself. There is also a creative mode, which is presented in our post Creative with Fortnite and Minecraft.
The game was available for free as an app for all mobile devices until the summer of 2020. Apple had banned the hit game from its App Store this year due to a legal dispute. Fortnite can be downloaded on Apple devices again via the streaming service GeForce Now since January 2022. There are currently two free subscriptions there, where you can play either one or six hours at a time. If you want to gamble longer, you have to switch to a premium subscription. Cost: €49.99 for 6 months.
Since the end of March 2022, the No Build mode was introduced for the release of the second season. Because the new mode prevents the construction of protective walls, gamers will have to figure out new tactics. The change pleases most fans, as it eliminates the hassle of building. That’s why many well-known Twitch streamers have returned to the game. Nevertheless, the new mode doesn’t change the original character of the game, but merely offers additional fun.
Rarely has a game generated so much hype. Certainly also because parts of the game are free and playable across different platforms. Moreover, it is easy to get into the game without any previous knowledge.
The gameplay is very exciting and provides plenty of adrenaline. Thus, game players must constantly be on guard, quickly hide from attackers and develop good strategies to survive. The round principle provides the incentive to do better in the next round than in the previous one. Funny details like the worldwide known joy and victory dances of the game characters add to the fun of the game.
Fortnite is heavily criticized because of the age rating from 12 years. Gun violence is the only, but necessary, course of action to win the game. Fortnite does not contain any detailed depictions of violence, there is no blood flowing, there are no corpses to be seen and the cartoon visuals also trivialize the violent gameplay. Still, the goal is to kill each other. Children in particular could lose awareness of this very quickly.
Fortnite is very nerve-racking, as you have to constantly scan your surroundings for threats. This pressure can cause stress and overwhelm in children. During the game rounds, many game pieces are quickly eliminated. This can cause frustration in a short time when it hits your own avatar.
To play Fortnite, you need to create an account with EPIC Games. To do this, it is necessary to provide an email address or that of an existing account, such as Apple, Google, Facebook, Nintendo, Playstation or Xbox.
The game allows you to purchase virtual currency, so-called V-Bucks. This can be used to buy virtual items like outfits, victory dances, or even access to weekly challenges with real money. These items and functions are not necessary for the game, but they are exciting, especially for children and teenagers. In recent years, the cooperation with well-known franchises such as Marvel or Star Wars has been expanded enormously, which should boost the voluntary in-app purchases. There are currently 46 Marvel skins available alone, and with a price between €10 and €20 per figure, that can get really expensive.
Children under 12 should not play the game in any case. If your child is older and has a desire to play Fortnite, preview the game yourself and talk to your child about why they find Fortnite interesting. Play together and let your child explain what it is all about and agree on common rules.
Also, try to make your child aware that Fortnite is about violence and it should not be underestimated. But that doesn’t mean that computer games necessarily make people violent.
Be there as a point of contact if your child encountersinappropriate content or uncomfortable play-along. Players who behave inappropriately can be reported via the game menu. Moreover, Fortnite has parental controls that you can set up for or together with your child.
