Fortnite….have you heard of it? If you have kids between the ages of about 7 and 17 it’s pretty hard not to. But me a middle aged mum being thrown into this world and not wanting to be dragged out of it is a bit more unusual…I think. It’s almost like oil and water, they just don’t mix. I’m desperate to see if I’m the only mum out there who has got completely sucked in by this ridiculously addictive game.
This global phenomenon is Epic Games Fortnite; launched in July 2017 with Save the World which I know zip about, was soon followed by Battle Royal in the September and it’s this mode that has flattered itself into my life.
It started with a seemingly innocent question from my youngest who is 9 asking me if he could download a game on his iPad. I have to put a password for any game he wishes to have and that’s the only reason he thinks to ask. So when I saw what it was and the picture had guns on it I took a breath to say no and both him and his brother equally sucked in their breath to let loose with pleads and begging which eventually turned into a full explanation of what the game was in a bid to get the gold coated password they wanted. I had a chat with my other half and he said there was no blood or guts to be seen and it was really popular. After putting up a bit of a fight I gave in, pretty standard response from me.
Download complete but onto our PS4 or 3 or whatever the box in the corner is that goes in the telly rather than onto the iPads. The boys were over the moon, you would have thought that I was actually mum of the year. If this is all it takes then parenting is easy peasy. 12 years of thinking things through has normally gotten me pretty stressed and constantly at odds with myself about if I was making good decisions. This was a breeze, if only I liked Facebook I could go on there and put some ‘loving mummy time’ or ‘families together’ quotes and gushy pictures while the kids were in euphoric mode just to prove that I had this thing sewn up.
In a nutshell what is Fortnite for the unenlightened whom I can now look down on smugly…well the whole aim is to be the last person standing. Have you seen the hunger games? It’s pretty much that but on game version.
100 players, 1 battlebus, 1 map with the same town and location places on every jump, loads of ‘loot’ goodies such as guns, shields and traps to help you stay alive.
The game matches up 100 people including yourself, you all set off in the battlebus and jump off over a point in the map you want to land, you then skydive out of the battlebus. Float down to your chosen place……along with 99 others who are just as eager to be the last one standing and let the fun begin. Oh just incase that wasn’t enough, there’s a storm circle closing in so that you can’t just find a bush and hide in it. This is great though as it makes each game around 20 minutes maximum which is just about enough. Considering that the youngsters with their dexterous digits normally eliminate me in about half that time, 20 minutes is something to aspire to.
There’s lots of stats out there which show that around 125 million people have Fortnite accounts and it’s been reported that at any one time there can be over 3 million players online. Crazy numbers.
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The thing is, I find that it’s really family friendly. Yes there’s guns and you fight to survive but it has ‘something’ that is engaging that makes us all sit together having a family competition for the best score and we have not done something like that in a long while. This game gets us together and for me that’s great. Will it last? Who knows, we’ve been through the Minecraft and Candy Crush fads and although you think it’s the best thing at the time fads fade and something new and shiny comes along.
So why do I feel in the minority and think that men and boys appear to play more?
Do they ‘switch’ off better than women?
Do they have that ability to put aside the fact that the kids dentists appointments need to be booked or where did I put the letter from the insurance that came through yesterday. It sounds sexist but is it true nonetheless?
I would love to hear from any other mums, with your tales of the Fortnite effect, let’s hear if it’s your guilty pleasure too. In the words of the great Delia Smith on the terraces ‘Let’s be avin ya!’
I’m not a mom but from the POV of someone whose significant other can be addicted to Fortnite, this was an interesting read! Sometimes I think it’s funny how much more he loves his game than me, but then I play with him and I understand how versatile and great the game really is. I’m also not the best at it but it really is fun to play with others! I think it’s cool you’re willing to give your kids’ interest a try and you found yourself enjoying it too! I’m curious to hear how the Minecraft fad went and to see what other games you might dive into! Thank you for this post ♥
It’s funny but my eldest almost looks down on minecraft now after loving it for so long. I do wonder what will come next! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment x
Wonderful that you are willing to dive in and connect to your kids interests! There have been so many games before, but Fortnite has definitely done something right. I think those limitations (no hard violence, time) are those that are bringing younger audience (from primary school) and older audience (busy adults) to this game. Cool post!
Thanks so much for your comments and taking the time to write. X
We heard about Fortnite through friends who let their children play and they also told us there were no blood and guts so we downloaded it and let the boys (5 and 8) have a play. A week later, we received a message from the school saying that Fortnite was not suitable for children in Infants or Juniors and so we made the decision to tell that boys that it was something the school frowned upon and to stick to Minecraft instead! #KCACOLS
I remember there being something similar when mine were tiny about Power Rangers as all the kids were suddenly doing high kicks everywhere. I’d like to wrap my boys up in cotton wool but they keep escaping! There is always something to keep us on our toes isn’t there? Thanks for stopping by today
We’re not quite there yet but it’s only a matter of time – I think my older two will love this! #KCACOLS
I have to make a sneaky confession here I have a love, hate relationship with this game! I sneak on to play it, but I kind of use it as blackmail too when Ellis is playing up. Oh no Fortnite for you mate. I’m a bad bad mum! #KCACOLS
You’re a normal mum:) it’s a great blackmail game!
Great that you’re enjoying this as a family. Personally I prefer things like quiz games (if any gaming at all). I’ve never been any good at this type of game and find them a bit annoying x #KCACOLS
Oh, our son is totally addicted to this game!
While it’s just a game, how it affects him, and other kids is amazing, in a bad way!
But hey, it’s “FREE”, right? Minus the $200 in V-bucks we’ve spent!
But he’s happy and enjoys it, and even better, he’s able to be the Skull Trooper this halloween with his Fortnite Halloween Costume!
I’m sure they will be some of the most popular for 2018!
Thanks for the post!
Melissa
Our Grandsons are mad on Fortnite, I’m sure they’d play it all the time if they were allowed. I don’t play it but I do enjoy watching them play and they love explaining what they’re doing, it is very addictive. I also love the dances and it’s funny watching all the Boys dance when they’re at football training. I showed them a clip of John Travolta dancing in Saturday Night Fever so they could see the original which they found very funny especially when I told them Grandam and Grandad went to disco dance classes 🙂 #KCACOLS
Oh I love your comments and it is so funny that you showed them John Travolta, very cool and shows them just how it’s done:) thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Mainy
We have not entered the gaming world, and I secretly hope it stays that way! I know how addictive silly games on the iphone are… I can’t imagine this! #KCACOLS xoxo
Unreal how popular it is – those figures!! My son loves it and has tried to explain it to me but I’m not all that keen on computer games. I do like the interactive aspect though and especially when his sisters and he all play along nicely togather! I’d say you would be one of the few women who play – I’ve often wondered why men seem to enjoy them more. #kcacols
I have heard of this, but until I read your post I had no idea exactly what it was lol. Booey has no interest in games like this. She actually really wants me to buy monopoly so we can have games nights playing that.
#KCACOLS
I have no clue about Fortnite at all. My kids are too young to know anything about it although now my son has started school I think it could all be about to change. #KCACOLS
It’s amazing how things do change when they start school. Now I’ve had a few years of it it’s getting easier but they do come home with all sorts of new things they want to try because someone in their class has been doing it:)
I’ve not played it,I like a bit of gaming but it’s not my usual preference. I really enjoy games like Skyrim and I’m not sure how much I’d get sucked in to a game where the characters don’t have a backstory (which is a proper mum thing to say, isn’t it?) I might see if my nephew will let me have a go next time I’m round haha!
#KCACOLS
You have been warned lol;)
Our school asked parents not to let kids play it so my daughter doesn’t. To be fair though I didn’t really know anything about it! #KCACOLS
Oh I hadn’t heard of any schools going that far. There’s always things for us to make judgments on though, parenting is a tough old job:)
I genuinely didn’t get what it was all about but I’m soooo signing up! I used to be shamed pre motherhood but don’t get a chance or lost slight interest as all my spare time goes into something else. I could so make room for this though. #KCACOLS
I have never heard of Fortnite, but I can guarantee that if I were to download it, I would be hooked almost immediately. Pen x #KCACOLS
Yep I think that could be true:)
Ah, so that’s what Fortnite is! I suppose when my two are at school I’ll have more idea about all these crazes but for the moment I’m living in blissful ignorance! #kcacols
Lol lucky you:) it will soon come;)
I haven’t played yet, but I’ll admit to being curious. Now that my daughter is back in school I’ll have more time for video games but I’m not sure I’m ready to have a bunch of 12 year old boys kicking my butt #KCACOLS
Lol, if you play it’s a hazard of the game 😆
I didn’t know anything about Fortnite until I read this Mainy. Only that the dances are banned in our 8yos school. Of course they do them anyway! Whatever it is, it’s great that it’s got you all together as a family. Oh and I’m constantly getting up after the post-tea routine to find that insurance letter and the reply slip for school! #kcacols
I am lucky.mu.boy is too young for this so moss the wraith craziness it has brought kids X #kcacols
I’ve heard about this game but had no idea what it actually was, thank you for opening my eyes! #KCACOLS
With a just-turned 5 year old lad, I’m guessing I have all this to come! He already plays it on the playground having no experience of it, just what his mates tell him. So thank you for letting us know what it’s all about – I had pre-conceived ideas that it would be blood and guts and all Call of Duty like. Now I know it’s not quite so bad, I may let him try it if he asks… #KCACOLS
Yeah it’s good to have an idea of what they will be getting into. I’m sure there will be the new next big thing soon enough. Mainy
This was all my kids at school talked about in 4th grade. I am now teaching 1st so it is not on their radar…YET! It seems to be the next big thing! #kcacols
Hi Tracy, yes there’s always something isn’t there:)
I love gaming, but you’re right, parenting comes first! Man or woman, if a dentist appointment needs booking, turn the bloody game off and do it. #KCACOLS
Here here!:)
My boys are obsessed with the game but I am not a big fan of gaming.
I really can’t afford another addiction!
#KCACOLS
😆
I think it’s great that you do play. I started going to the gaming expo with the kids and was really surprised at how ‘wrong’ my preconceptions were. In Australia, the average gamer is 25 and female. I found that stat quite interesting. I don’t play myself but at the expo I do and it’s fun (and I think the kids think it’s hilarious how hopeless I am). Nice post. #KCACOLS
My kids all play or have played but I have to say gaming has no interest to me at all. I’d much rather go for a run when I get spare time. #KCACOLS
That’s the thing with starting this game, it can get under your skin. I started the couch to 5k recently and then had to juggle both😆
Mainy, I quite understand you enjoying this game with your family. Like Iris, above, a number of years ago, my grandchildren made me a profile on RuneScape. I soon loved the game and we played it together for years. It was a good relationship building time as we went on many adventures together. Good for you, ditch any guilt and enjoy the family time you are getting out of this.
We are going to feature this post on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
Thats wonderful news and I glad that you enjoyed it:)
In these few months my boys have been crazy about some game name pubg same mission war sought of game. They’ll come to me with innocent faces and ask to unlock my phone and play .
I’m banking on you to be better than your kids lol Seriously though my son got me into RuneScape yrs ago and I ended up being one of the main players with Mods befriending me haha loved it