I know you “don’t get it.” I barely get it, but I’ve been on a mission to learn why this particular game, Fortnite is so addicting for our kids.
Fortnite is similar to the ultra-popular Minecraft game, in that building and creating is part of the focus of the game. Within Fortnite, players can build forts with materials they find. They may also be able to loot supplies and equipment from defeated players, find random supply drops, and discover chests that contain weapons, tools, and supplies. These types of “rewards” hold a strong appeal for kids.
The excitement of finding a chest and the possibility of what could be inside is one such tactic that reinforces a person’s desire to continue playing and to continue to receive rewards. Another tactic that makes Fortnite appealing is the near-miss. When your character is killed on Fortnite, you get to see the health bar of the person who killed you. Often you will see that your opponent was also close to dying, so the game feels like it was very close. The near-misses are stimulating, and you feel compelled to keep playing.
On top of all this adrenaline already in the game, there’s the social component. Players can play with friends. And we all know how important friends are and if playing a game is fun by yourself then obviously it’s going to be more fun if you’re playing with friends. The emotional connection to friends during the gameplay can create potential conflicts with kids and their parents as parents enforce boundaries for screen time and gameplay. If you’ve set a time to play with a friend, you’re going to want to keep that appointment. If your friend wants to play the next game, your child won’t want to let him down. If you’re not on when your friends are playing, you might feel you are missing out. And for kids, as with many adults, the feeling of being left out is one of the worst feelings there is.
So how much Fortnite is too much? A recent study shows that moderate gameplay (ranging from 7 to 10h a week) has been linked to higher emotional stability, reduced stress levels, increased social interactions, increased life satisfaction, and an enhanced sense of achievement, as well as greater psychological resilience in general. That’s pretty great. Gaming isn’t all bad!
But, let me repeat that, 7 to 10 hours a week shows positive outcomes. That’s about an hour a day of gaming.
Studies also show that too much gameplay has been linked to aggressive behavior, dysfunctional coping strategies, decreased academic achievement, as well as sacrificing physical activity, sleep, and school responsibilities.
Weird, I don’t remember Pac Man or Donkey Kong, making me overly anxious, but the dynamics of today’s gaming is off the charts compared to the games I played in old-school arcades.
Balance and moderation certainly seem to be the key when setting boundaries for gameplay.
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Photo: Alex Haney
