There\u2019s often a \u201cgame of the summer,\u201d a video game that every teen in America suddenly seems to play. This year it\u2019s Fortnite Battle Royale, an online free-for-all that has become a cultural phenomenon with hundreds of millions of fans wearing the gear and doing the victory dances. It\u2019s a shooter, an adventure game and a world that can be built, all at the same time. But what does it involve and is it safe for kids to play?<\/p>\n
Epic Games developed and released Fortnite in 2017. The game\u2019s multiplayer mode, called Battle Royale, allows players to compete individually or in teams of two or four to be the last player standing in an ever-decreasing battle arena. It features violence with guns, but the graphics are cartoonish and there\u2019s no blood; defeated enemies simply disappear. The game is also a favorite with professional video game streamers, who attract large audiences.<\/p>\n
The game is free to download, but players can use in-game currency (V-Bucks) to purchase weapon upgrades and cosmetic items. It\u2019s a huge part of the game\u2019s popularity, and it\u2019s how developer Epic Games makes most of its money. It\u2019s also important to remember that for children, in-game purchases can be addictive.<\/p>\n
Another concern is the social aspect of the game. There\u2019s a lot of interaction between players, who often communicate with each other through voice chat or text chat. It\u2019s easy to form unhealthy friendships on the game, which can lead to real-world problems. Some of these include cyberbullying, peer pressure and the exploitation of vulnerable people.<\/p>\n
Parents need to have a conversation with their children about the risks of fortnite and set boundaries around screen time. The immersive nature of the game can be difficult for some children to stop, especially if they are working on a high score. This can lead to poor school performance and other concerns.<\/p>\n
While fortnite\u2019s premise is similar to other post-apoclyptic games, what really sets it apart is its social element and the fact that it can be played on multiple platforms simultaneously. This has allowed it to spread quickly and attract a wide audience, from Drake to Los Angeles Laker Josh Hart.<\/p>\n
Parental controls are available for fortnite, which allow users to filter swear words in text chat, disable friend requests and turn off voice or text chat. They can also set a password for making in-game purchases and sign up for playtime reports that email weekly.<\/p>\n