October 5th 2024.
As a parent, I know there is a lot of debate around whether or not kids should be playing Fortnite. Many people have negative opinions about the game, but a recent Reader's Feature made some great points about why it's actually a good game for kids to play. I'll be honest, I wasn't a fan of Fortnite at first and I didn't let my kids play it until they were old enough. But after seeing them play it, I can say that it has a lot of positives when compared to other popular games like Roblox or mindless mobile games.
My daughter and son both play Fortnite and sometimes even play together. Of course, they have a time limit, but I would much rather have them playing Fortnite than watching mindless content on YouTube. It requires some skill and allows them to interact with their friends. At first, I was disappointed that they had moved on from games like Mario Kart and Super Mario Bros. to Fortnite, but I've come to see that it has actually helped them explore other genres and expand their gaming interests.
In the past six months, they have even started playing more complex single-player games like Dave the Diver, Zelda, and Hogwarts Legacy. And when I have the time, we still have our Mario Kart and Splatoon sessions. My daughter has also recently gotten into Animal Crossing and is on the verge of trying out Stardew Valley. I've realized that Fortnite was just the beginning for them, and it has opened their minds to the wider world of video games.
Some may criticize Fortnite for being just another shooter game, but it's much more than that. The building aspect of the game adds an interesting twist, and it even includes other games like Rocket League and the new driving game. And the best part? My kids rarely ask for V-bucks, so it doesn't cost a fortune to play.
I've noticed that my son's friends are really into another game, EA Sports FC, which is a card-based game. Some may argue that there's more skill involved in that game, but is it really that different from Fortnite in terms of being a dominant game that many people play exclusively? I've come to realize that my kids' engagement with Fortnite has actually sparked an interest in other genres and has shown them the wide range of possibilities in the gaming world.
I do think that the gaming industry could use a reset when it comes to the massive budgets for games that often don't recoup their costs. Nintendo, on the other hand, has consistently produced great games with smaller budgets and shorter playtimes. Personally, I'd rather have a brilliant 20-hour game than a longer one, and I believe that shorter games are better for aging gamers who have many other responsibilities.
In the end, I've come to see that Fortnite is not just a mindless shooter game. It has opened my kids' minds to the wide world of gaming and has even led them to explore other genres. And compared to other forms of media, it's a much better option for kids. So, as a parent, I am happy to embrace Fortnite and all the benefits it brings.
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