Fortnite: Everything You Need To Know About That Game
For tweens and above, Fortnite is still one of the most popular - and passionately debated - video games. Here's a rundown of the fundamentals, as well as some suggestions for encouraging kids to play safely and responsibly.
- What exactly is Fortnite, and how do you go about playing it?
- What is the appeal of Fortnite?
- Is there a minimum age requirement?
- Gameplay in Multiplayer
- What precautions can you take to protect your child?
- What should I do if my child makes inappropriate contact with another player?
- In-Game Purchases
- Is Fortnite a game that is difficult to put down?
- The popularity of Fortnite videos is skyrocketing.
- What is 'Strip Fortnite' and how does it work
What Exactly Is Fortnite, And How Do You Go About Playing It?
Players work together in Fortnite to survive in an open-world setting by defeating other characters controlled by the game or by other players. Although the violence is cartoonish, some characters and scenes may be upsetting to younger players.
Fighting zombie-like creatures is the focus of the single-player or cooperative mode (which can be played with friends). However, Fortnite War Royale, a separate free-to-play multiplayer platform in which up to 100 players compete alone or in squads of up to four, to be the last person standing in an ever-decreasing battle area, is the game's most popular model.
Players must first make an account by supplying an email address that they must verify, as well as a username. There is no way to verify your age.
What Is The Appeal Of Fortnite?
- It's free and works on a variety of platforms, including the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Mac, PC, iOS, Xbox One, and some Android smartphones.
- The gameplay is straightforward but incredibly engaging. Multiplayer games can take up to 30 minutes, and players can instantly switch to another game, making long sessions a breeze.
- It's well-designed, and it's always improving thanks to weekly updates and challenges.
- V-bucks, the in-game currency, allows users to earn rewards by completing challenges.
- It has a tremendous cultural following and a large social media following (through video and streaming applications like YouTube and Twitch), so children who don't play may feel left out.
Is There A Minimum Age Requirement?
Fortnite is classified 12+ by PEGI, Pan European Game Information, because of its numerous scenes of light violence. However, because many children under the age of 12 play this type of game, parents must be aware of the safety risks addressed and how to help their children play properly.
Gameplay In Multiplayer
The Battle Royale mode in Fortnite is a multiplayer game in which individuals from all over the world compete against each other in last-man-standing contests comprising up to 100 players, either individually or in squads. The major safety concerns about Fortnite, particularly its unmoderated chat capabilities, originate from this mode, as users are open to messages from anyone they are playing with, whether by voice or on-screen. Children may be exposed to inappropriate language, extremism, or, in extreme circumstances, grooming, as with other games having chat functionality.
What Precautions Can You Take To Protect Your Child?
- When creating an account, they mustn't use a username that could reveal sensitive information. In addition, there is no age verification process. As a result, if your child has or wants to register an account, be aware of the risks.
- Fortnite has three levels of privacy settings: Public, where anyone can join your child's online party; Friends, where only friends can join a party; and Private, where no one can join your child's party unless the child has invited them. Discuss the proper level for your child.
- Voice chat can also be turned off in Fortnite. Make sure you and your child are familiar with the game's settings and turn off Voice Chat if you think it's unsuitable.
- Discuss unwanted contact with your child and what to do if someone speaks to them rudely or inappropriately or requests personal information. If they are unsure about unwanted contact or have been exposed to something inappropriate, invite them to come to you.
What Should I Do If My Child Makes Inappropriate Contact with Another Player?
To report problematic player behavior, Fortnite provides an in-game feedback feature in the game's Main Menu. You can also contact Epic Games, the creators of Fortnite, via their website and report any issues.
You can also seek guidance from CEOP, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command, and file a report through their online safety center.
In-Game Purchases
Fortnite is free to play, but you can get added incentives like skins by purchasing a season battle pass for £7.99, which lasts for a whole Battle Royale season (about three months).
V-Bucks, Fortnite's in-game currency, may be used to purchase in-game add-ons. You can buy V-Bucks with real money or earn them by purchasing a season battle pass, which costs money. All goods purchased with V-Bucks are purely decorative and have no bearing on gameplay.
It's crucial to make sure that youngsters don't have access to their parent's credit card information when playing games featuring in-app purchases. It's also vital to talk to your kids about how in-game purchases are designed to draw them in and get them to spend money. Allowing them to purchase goods on the game with their own pocket money can be a terrific approach to give a youngster a stronger sense of independence if they are still adamant about it.
Epic Games had to release a statement lately warning consumers on how to protect their accounts. This includes third-party sites claiming to offer free V-Bucks in exchange for personal data. A list of security suggestions and guidance was also offered.
Is Fortnite A Game That Is Difficult To Put Down?
Following Fortnite's massive success – the game now has a projected 45 million users – various publications have claimed that the game is addictive for children and that it causes competitive fury.
Because of the relatively brief yet high frequency of games, multiplayer is particularly popular. The duration of a player's game might range from a few minutes to over 30 minutes. The option to join another game is straightforward and quick to use, luring gamers in with the promise of 'just one more game.'
Fortnite, on the other hand, is said to encourage beneficial attributes and skills in children and teenagers, such as collaboration, dexterity, and quick reactions.
If your child is playing, you must talk to them about how much and when they should play. It's also crucial to recognize the game's immersive nature and to appreciate the fact that people may be emotionally immersed in it. Keep in mind that multiplayer games only run up to 30 minutes, thus determining the appropriate amount of playtime is simple without interrupting the game.
The Popularity Of Fortnite Videos Is Skyrocketing.
As the game has risen in popularity, so has the popularity of Fortnite videos and their makers. Ninja, the most popular Fortnite gamer, has 9.1 million YouTube subscribers and hosted a Twitch stream with rapper Drake that drew 635,000 live viewers (a world record for viewers to a stream).
The same problems apply to Fortnite videos as they do to any other YouTube video: primarily, the use of foul language and discussion of topics that may be improper for your child's age.
To avoid this, enable YouTube's restricted mode, which will filter out inappropriate content. Alternatively, you can discuss what your child is watching with them and then watch it with them so that you can decide whether it is acceptable for your child.
What Is 'Strip Fortnite' And How Does It Work?
'Strip Fortnite' is a craze in which a player (usually always male) and a companion (nearly typically female) play Fortnite, but the companion must remove one article of clothing for every 'kill' the player receives. More on this trend may be seen in our 'Strip Fortnite' piece.
