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I’m 54 and getting killed a lot!
If you’re like me, you might have though Fortnite was a game that only kids play. It’s full of “sweaty” players who randomly run around causing chaos and acting like…well, like a bunch of children with ADHD. And a lot of them are kids.
But a lot of them are not children. A lot of them are like me. Adults looking for a way to calm the inner brain demons. Adults looking for a safe place to get rid of daily frustrations. Adults looking for a place to make connections with people by playing as a team, when they have a hard time doing so in real life.
This is not to say that Fortnite (or any kind of gaming) is a substitute for reality. It’s not. But it can be a safe and enjoyable space to spend some time.
There’s a lot to love about Fortnite.
#1 The Skins and Accessories
Before we even get into the game itself, let’s talk about all the other cool stuff that can be part of the game.
First, you should know that skins and accessories are not free. The game itself is free to play and it is available on all consoles. I play on PS5. My daughter and granddaughter play on their Nintendo Switches. I know other people who play on a PC. While it does play better on some consoles than others (people say it sucks on Switch but I’ve played on my Switch and haven’t had issues), the fact that it is available for free on pretty much anything you play games on makes it widely accessible.
So, since the game itself is free, the developers and creators of the world of Fortnite need to make money somehow. They do this by selling “skins” and other accessories in the store.
The nice thing is, you don’t need them. They don’t improve your game play at all. They don’t give people who have paid skins an advantage over those who can’t afford them. Skins are fun though and I’ll admit I’ve spent some money on them.
But skins and accessories are fun and interesting. They are often connected to events (like the recent Snoop Dog event or the upcoming Godzilla fun!) and people collect skins like someone might collect sports cards.
As a player, you can even make some money off the sale of skins with a creator code. Not everyone can have their own creator code but you can get one if you have a decent social media/Twitch/YouTube following and you can promote it to people you know or people who watch your games. You’ll make money each time someone uses them.
Needless to say, I just started gaming in any serious way in the past year and only recently began building a following so I do not have enough followers anywhere to have a creator code. Someday though!
If you want to help me out, you could give me a follow on any of my socials and get me a little closer to my goals.
#2 Fortnite Takes Skills!
I know there are some who would disagree with me. Those who grew up playing gaming or who have been playing shooter games since their childhood often think that the skills it takes to play Fortnite are like child’s play.
And the skills that you need to play the game are indeed something that many children have. The fact that my granddaughter has been playing since before she was 10 is evidence of that. It’s not a big deal she says.
But if you’ve never played a shooter game before or you’ve only played very old school games (like back in the Sega days for me!) there are definitely some skills you’re going to have to learn.
Obviously, you have to learn to aim. If you don’t aim, you’re going to waste a lot of bullets. And without bullets, you can’t use your guns. And without your guns, you’re just going to be running around trying not to get shot. Ya, I can testify that you’re not going to last long at that rate and you’re going to spend a lot of time just rebooting into a new match!
But aiming is not enough.
You need to be able to move around at the same time you are aiming to avoid getting shot. Because once someone knows you are aiming for them, they are coming for you. Even if you’re trying to be sneaky by hiding behind something, players on Fortnite are very likely to come and find you if you take a shot at them.
Also, even as you’re aiming and moving around to avoid getting shot, you have to be aware of your surroundings. The game gives you little visual/audio indicators when someone is nearby and you have to watch for. They can give you a warning if someone is creeping up on you from behind.
And these are just the basic skills! LOL. There’s so much more to learn.
Like I said, if you’re a kid or younger person who has been playing these types of games all your life, these skills might not seem like a big deal. But I’m older. I’m 54 and these games are totally new to me and I’m here to tell you that there’s a muscle in your brain and in your reflexes that you need to develop in order to implement all of the necessary skills at once. I’m getting there but damn it’s been a challenge. That’s one of the things I like about Fortnite.
#3 Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork
You don’t have to have friends online to play Fortnite. You can absolutely play solo and many people do. Sometimes I like to play solo just so I can focus on myself and developing my skills without worrying that I’m slowing anyone down.
But a large part of Fortnite is the ability to play with your friends (whether they are only virtual friends or real life friends) no matter where they are in the world. As long as you all have decent internet, of course.
The best teams on Fornite are people who do know each other fairly well. They work together to make it to the end. Each member of the team has their strengths and weakness and they take care of the less strong members of the team. When someone is down, another member of their team will run to revive them. If someone isn’t good at directions (ok, that’s me, I’m always wandering away) they make sure their teammate doesn’t get left behind.
A good team can get you a long way in your match. A crappy team — well, you’re basically just playing by yourself if you aren’t taking care of your team, too.
#4 Fortnite Has Variety
One of the coolest things about Fornite is that it is not just one games. It is many games. I’m not even sure how many. So, there’s something for everyone.
The basic and most popular game is probably Battle Royale. 100 players get dropped to the island and fight it out to be the last player (or team) standing. You can play with builds (the ability to build structures that can help you strategize) or with zero builds.
Then there’s Lego Fortnite (and it’s not just for kids). And…
Well, I’ve only begun to discover the world of Fortnite. I know there’s a Squid Games (1 & 2) and there are creator games that serve special interests. There are even games where you can just go in and practice without the pressure of other players. You can play against bots, too.
I’m Obsessed
I played Fortnite a couple times just to see what all the fuss was about. I didn’t see it at first. Of course, that’s because I didn’t understand it. I went back to my cozy games.
Then I tried it again. I last longer that time. And it really got me revved up.
Finally, I agreed to play with an online friend and it just clicked. I got the excitement. And I wanted more!
Now, I’ve been letting my other games sit silently while I get all sweaty with my team (at various points, three online friends who I all met through Twitch and my son, who just started streaming). I’ve been logging on 3–4 times a week to play for hours, buying skins, and jumping on the odd solo game to practice my moves.
I’m sure I’ll slow down eventually. But maybe not. Maybe I’ll be one of those streamers that consistently plays Fortnite pretty much every time.
I may never be the best Fortnite player. But I am getting better. Sometimes I have great aim and sometimes I have good aim but get slaughtered from behind by someone with a blade. Other times, I die in the first two minutes and one of my teammates has to come and pick up my card and get me to a reboot bus so I can rejoin the game.
It’s all good. I’m having a great time. And I get the Fornite people now. I see why they love it. I even dream about it sometimes!
