By Chris Benson
By now you’ve heard of Fortnite. You’ve probably played it. Fortnite continues to be the most popular video game in the entire world, so it’s kind of hard to miss. Many people love Fortnite, others can’t stand it, and some even think it’s bad for you. With so many opinions flying around, it can be difficult to know what effects the game really has on us. Let’s review the facts.
Fornite is fun
Okay, so this first one isn't much of a "fact," but it's hard to argue against. The game has been tweaked, tailored, and tuned to deliver an exciting, competitive experience. Pulling out a clutch victory in Battle Royale is a thrilling accomplishment made possible by tight controls and balanced game design.
Fortnite is social
Forget Facebook, ignore Instagram, and say "Sayonara" to Snapchat. Fortnite has grown beyond its humble beginning and is quickly becoming the social destination of choice for millions of teens. In Fornite, you can meet up with friends, chat, and have fun. Connecting with others and building friendships online is just as beneficial as it is in person.
Fornite builds skills
Studies show that video games provide a wide variety of benefits. Playing video games has been shown to decrease reaction times, strengthen spatial reasoning (the ability to think in 3D), enhance problem-solving abilities, and even improve test performance. Despite what some people claim, video games don’t really ‘rot your brain.’ But, it’s not all good news.
Fortnite can be addictive
Here comes the bad. Game companies are increasingly turning to psychology to understand exactly what makes a game hard to put down. They’re creating game mechanics and systems that are designed to hook you and keep you playing for as long as possible.
One trick developers use is something called Constant Reinforcement, in which a game constantly rewards you. In Fortnite, you regularly receive new skins, emotes, weapons, and point boosts. These rewards not only make you feel accomplished, but also let you stand out and look cooler than other players. Exploiting competitiveness and our desire to be the best is another tactic games use to keep us playing.
Modern games have been made so addictive that the American Psychiatric Association had to create a new diagnosis called Internet Gaming Disorder, which is in the same category as Gambling Disorder. There’s a very good reason for that: video games today often have loot systems that work very similarly to gambling. Unlike gambling however, there are no laws regulating video game loot systems and little oversight to keep players safe.
Fortnite isn't the problem
While Fortnite is a colossal juggernaut of a game, it isn't alone. The methods it uses to keep us playing are the same ones used by the whole of the video game industry. And, since video game addiction and loot boxes have become such a big issue, we are now seeing politicians working to regulate how randomized rewards, gambling, and psychological incentives can be used in games.
We could be seeing big changes to video games in the future, but Fortnite and titles like it aren't going away anytime soon. So, have fun cranking 90s and building 1x1s, but don't forget how video games use tricks to keep you playing. If your life starts to suffer, take a break.
It's just a game after all.