Fortnite: Battle Royale

  

 Fortnite is a game you’ve probably heard of even if you’ve never played it before. I was introduced to the game on Christmas Eve of 2017. It was one of those cultural fads my nephews were begging me to jump into but I wasn’t ready for the immersion. The record they played was broken as it was always Fortnite this and Fortnite that. Anytime they came over they were constantly trying to get me to login with them to play. This was something I heard not only from them on repeat but all the kids in my life, but I was never interested in this unknown world of gaming. Until I gave in because who can tell kids no on Christmas Eve when you just spent $100 of your hard earned money on V-Bucks for the hooligans to play this beloved game of theirs. Okay, hear me out. When I first jumped onto the console I resisted the joy of playing. I fully allowed my nephews to teach me how to play the game, use all the buttons and controls but I did not have fun doing it. Or so that is what I told myself because why would I as a grown adult enjoy a video game that my nephews loved?? This was a kids game, a Gen Z or Gen Alpha addiction if you will. Who was I to enjoy the concept of Fortnite at my ripe age of  23. 

    At its core, Fortnite:Battle Royale was a survival game and I knew how to do that so how hard could it be, really? It sounds simple enough but the magic comes from the combination of skills from shooting, building and navigating a massive open world. The game drops you and 99 other players into a battlefield. One of creativity and simplicity. You can land in the city, or in a hut or even in the middle of a popularly visited site but each landing comes with its own unique challenges. Its like playing chess but with added chaos of being constantly under fire as the unknown follows you around every corner. The dynamic of the game is exhilarating because no two rounds are the same as players check in and check out with each round and millions of gamers are playing at a time keeping the 100 person roulette everchanging like the game. 

    This game is multifaceted, not only are the mechanics a requirement in order to operate the weapons and the skills required to build in order to protect yourself. Meaning  you’ve got to  become skilled in navigating the 14 button multi combo settings  to construct walls, ramps, doors, and shelters in order to hide and protect yourself. Not only are the mechanics required but the content is constantly changing, too. Epic Games has not only managed to update the open world every few weeks, regularly pushing these updates through for the  map, but also ensuring the skins are updating,  challenges, and the thrill of what’s next. It's a world that evolves much like that in real life but for a gamers utopian paradise the level of freedom you have inside the game is the most addictive factor. 

    

    You can  go fishing, you can jet pack through the  sky, you can drive a car through the desert, you could break down structures and collect building material all while players around you might be only playing for the hunt. This addiction is pure gameplay. It taps into that FOMO state of mind.  Once you play you don’t want to miss out on the many updates and new features added weekly and of course why would you not want to complete your chores and level up and collect the “free” prizes they offer along with free V-bucks! The games currency has kids blowing their parents money on new skins or costumes and characters by the $100’s. (Clearly I was one of those suckers). This game has trapped this generation in a loop of allowing them to not only play or roam freely but connect with friends after hours. You have the ability to socially play with friends and strangers alike. With each game changing the virtual playground is just as addictive as that of tv and allows you to communicate with friends in the process. The evolution of Fortnite has me logging in time and time again just for one more match all these years later.