Available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and iPhone (probably soon on Android too)
- What is Fortnite?
It is a game played exclusively online, and above all the craze of every playground. There are more than 150 million players worldwide. It is a well-designed game with effective “gameplay” (the way you interact with it), but its success was surprising and came from a combination of different factors. Among them, we can note its “cartoon” look, its social side (“all my friends play it!”), its availability on many platforms and the fact that it is free.
- What is the aim of the game?
100 players are parachuted onto an island with no equipment, and must hurry to find weapons, armour and resources to protect themselves and eliminate the others. The last survivor wins, and roughly every two minutes the playing area shrinks. Players must not stay outside it, or they take damage. You can play alone or in a team of 2, 3 or 4. It is in these small groups that you can join your friends.
- Fortnite: is it violent?
Players shoot at each other, but there is no blood. Shooting is not the only mechanic at work, either. For example, it is important to know how to manage the resources you collect in order to build walls and stairs. It is also perfectly possible to win a game without firing a shot… if you know how to hide well. Its cartoon look avoids being too realistic and earns it only a PEGI 12 rating. However, do not forget that it is you, the parents, who ultimately decide whether or not the game matches the values you accept in your home.
- How much does it cost?
There was a clue in answer number 1: Fortnite is free, but it is possible to buy cosmetic items to customise your avatar, for amounts ranging from 5 to 100 euros. This content does not improve the gaming experience in any way. Be careful never to save your credit card.
- How long does a game last?
Each game lasts thirty minutes, or less if you are unlucky… or bad. Who said “bad faith”?
- So, we really can’t pause it?
No. Once the game has started, you cannot pause. The whole challenge is knowing how to stop BEFORE starting a new one.
- Isn’t it a boys’ thing?
The audience is indeed mostly male, but more and more girls are playing too.
- What’s the story with the dances?
One of the aims of Fortnite is also to mock your opponents once you have won. And what better way to show off than to dance? Various dance moves can therefore be bought with real money, including the famous “floss”, as well as a dance recently performed by the footballer Antoine Griezmann.
- Why can I hear screaming coming from my child’s room?
Fortnite is a fast-paced game. To win, you need good reflexes, a good strategy and a good overall view, so losing in the last few minutes can be very frustrating. Managing frustration is not always easy, and neither is recognising when you played badly and not blaming your teammates.
- Is playing the same as watching someone else play?
Not exactly: the experience is not the same when you have the mouse or controller in your hands as when you are a spectator. It is important to explain these different uses when you set your children’s “screen time”. On the other hand, watching other players can help them learn new techniques and be in contact with other users.
On the map, the white circle shows the next zone you need to reach, so as not to be out of bounds.
Niels Weber is an FSP-certified psychologist-psychotherapist specialising in hyperconnectivity
niels.weber@semperludo.com
Find more articles on the website www.semperludo.com
