If you’re at all familiar with video games you’ve almost definitely heard about Fortnite, especially if you have kids. From game consoles and computers to smartphones and tablets, Fortnite’s fun gameplay and accessibility quickly cemented its popularity among gamers of all ages. Over the years Fortnite has continued to evolve, becoming a fully cultural phenomenon incorporating popular brands, celebrities, film screenings, concerts, fashion shows and more. As a parent, you may be wondering what you need to know about Fortnite, particularly if it’s suitable for your children.  The following should help answer that question.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is rated T for Teen with a Content Descriptor for Violence and Interactive Elements including Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.  The depictions of guns and violence in Fortnite are cartoon-like and there’s no blood or gore. The game comes across as whimsical and even absurd at times.

Although Fortnite can be enjoyed alone or just with friends in its Save the World mode, the real draw for most Fortnite players is its online multiplayer Battle Royale modes. In each match, 100 players are dropped into a map with the sole mission of being the last player standing. Most competitions last approximately 20 minutes, but because it’s a free-for-all, player experiences can be as short as a few seconds. Gamers take out other players by gathering items, including guns and other weapons. Some modes allow players to defend themselves by building complex structures on the fly, but there is also a “Zero Build” mode which has gained popularity since its introduction in March 2022. The last player standing wins the coveted “Victory Royale.”

Creative mode lets players design their own Fortnite games and experiences that they can share with friends and others online. Recently, Epic revealed the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). These tools allow players to design, develop, and publish more professional looking games and experiences directly into Fortnite. In short, UEFN enables players to use some of the same tools Epic uses to develop Fortnite to create and share their own Islands (empty maps on which players and creators can make their own personalized experiences), stories, and more.

Partnerships and collaborations – like an in-game battle with Marvel villain Galactus – bring in players from different “fandoms,” after which they often stick around to see what the game offers next. Fortnite’s strategy, depth, and story-like flow to each “season” make it compelling. Meanwhile, its exuberant schoolyard simplicity makes it easy for players of all ages to pick up and enjoy, regardless of a player’s skill.

How to Mitigate Risks in Fortnite

It’s important to note that if your kids go to Islands built with Fortnite Creative or UEFN, they will have access to other people’s creations in Fortnite. The good news is, through a combination of automated tools and human review, Epic currently examines all player-created content prior to its release to ensure that it is appropriate for Fortnite’s audience and abides by their content rules.

With so many playing the game, your child could encounter players who may not set the greatest examples in terms of sportsmanship. This presents a good opportunity to talk with your child about online safety, what kind of behavior is appropriate, and what’s over the line. And remember, if another player ever makes your kids feel uncomfortable you can always mute, block, or report the offender.  Moreover, Fortnite has its own robust parental controls and even default settings to ensure that your child has a positive experience.

What Are Cabined Accounts?

Epic launched Cabined Accounts in late 2022, a new type of Epic account that provides a tailored experience designed to help ensure that experiences are appropriate for younger players.

Should your kids be under 13 their account will automatically be classified as a Cabined Account and require you to approve your child’s access to certain in-game features. (This is a reminder about why it’s so vitally important that your kids always enter their accurate age when signing up for a product or service!) Once your child receives parental consent, they will no longer have a Cabined Account and their experience will respect your preferred Parental Control settings.

When your kids register for Fortnite, they will be asked for a parent’s email address. Epic will then send an email to you letting you know about your child’s Epic account and provide you with the opportunity to provide permission to access certain features and set up parental controls that:

• Manage the games your kids can get in the Epic Games Store based on ESRB ratings;
• Limit online chat (voice and/or text) to Everybody, Friends and Teammates, Friends Only, or Nobody;
• Block or limit spending on in-game purchases using Epic Games payment; and
• Set up parental controls that allow you to manage who your child is able to send or accept Epic friend requests from;
• Track the amount of time your kids spend playing Fortnite every week.

Where Can You Play Fortnite?

The game is available for download on multiple gaming platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store. For Android users, it’s also available in the Samsung Galaxy Store on Samsung Galaxy devices, or from the Epic Games App on all other Android devices. As of this writing, the mobile version of the game is no longer available for download in either the Apple App Store or Google Play but can be played if the game was previously installed on an iOS or Android device. Fortnite is also playable via cloud streaming on Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Notably, Fortnite allows players on one device to play with friends and other players using a different one. This is referred to as “cross-platform” playability, a feature that not every game has but greatly expands the pool of online players.

How Much Does Fortnite Cost?

Anyone can access and play Fortnite for free. However, the game offers purchases with its own in-game currency called V-Bucks (1000 V-Bucks costs $7.99). Players can use V-Bucks to buy in-game items like cosmetics to customize their experience. They can also buy a Battle Pass using 950 V-Bucks, adding an extra layer of unlockable gadgets and bonuses for each gameplay “season,” which typically lasts for about 10 weeks. A Fortnite Crew subscription of $11.99 a month will get players a monthly bonus of 1,000 V-Bucks, the most recent Battle Pass and exclusive outfits.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite, as they don’t provide any competitive advantage. Players are not penalized for sticking with the free option. On top of that, players can also earn V-Bucks by completing in-game tasks, making additional purchases entirely optional.

While Battle Royale and Creative modes are free-to-play, Save the World needs to be purchased for access. The price has fluctuated over time between $15.99 and $39.99 depending on the platform.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite.

Keep in mind that some of these costs are subject to change, so it’s helpful to double check before making a purchase.

Additional Tips for Parents

While Cabined Accounts and parental controls offer parents many great choices, there are more steps you can take to ensure that your kids have appropriate video game experiences.

We always say that the best first step is to call a family meeting and establish some household rules around video game play. By first discussing the situation you’re setting a precedent for an open-ended, judgment-free conversation about video games. You’re also letting them know that, while you respect their love of playing games, there are parameters that the whole family (even you!) need to respect.

To back this up, you can also set platform-level parental controls. All video game platforms (including consoles, smartphones, and computers) also include parental controls, which you can activate to manage what games your kids play, with whom, when/for how long, and whether they can spend money on in-game purchases and/or new games. Some devices even let you set spending limits or allot time parameters for every day of the week. Both iOS and Android mobile devices also offer effective tools for parents, like Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link. ESRB offers step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide for more information on household rules, parental controls, online safety tips, and more.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need To Know About Fortnite Battle Royale appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

If you’re at all familiar with video games you’ve almost definitely heard about Fortnite, especially if you have kids. From game consoles and computers to smartphones and tablets, Fortnite’s fun gameplay and accessibility quickly cemented its popularity among gamers of all ages. Over the years Fortnite has continued to evolve, becoming a fully cultural phenomenon incorporating popular brands, celebrities, film screenings, concerts, fashion shows and more. As a parent, you may be wondering what you need to know about Fortnite, particularly if it’s suitable for your children.  The following should help answer that question.

What is Fortnite?

Fortnite is rated T for Teen with a Content Descriptor for Violence and Interactive Elements including Users Interact and In-Game Purchases.  The depictions of guns and violence in Fortnite are cartoon-like and there’s no blood or gore. The game comes across as whimsical and even absurd at times.

Although Fortnite can be enjoyed alone or just with friends in its Save the World mode, the real draw for most Fortnite players is its online multiplayer Battle Royale modes. In each match, 100 players are dropped into a map with the sole mission of being the last player standing. Most competitions last approximately 20 minutes, but because it’s a free-for-all, player experiences can be as short as a few seconds. Gamers take out other players by gathering items, including guns and other weapons. Some modes allow players to defend themselves by building complex structures on the fly, but there is also a “Zero Build” mode which has gained popularity since its introduction in March 2022. The last player standing wins the coveted “Victory Royale.”

Creative mode lets players design their own Fortnite games and experiences that they can share with friends and others online. Recently, Epic revealed the Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN). These tools allow players to design, develop, and publish more professional looking games and experiences directly into Fortnite. In short, UEFN enables players to use some of the same tools Epic uses to develop Fortnite to create and share their own Islands (empty maps on which players and creators can make their own personalized experiences), stories, and more.

Partnerships and collaborations – like an in-game battle with Marvel villain Galactus – bring in players from different “fandoms,” after which they often stick around to see what the game offers next. Fortnite’s strategy, depth, and story-like flow to each “season” make it compelling. Meanwhile, its exuberant schoolyard simplicity makes it easy for players of all ages to pick up and enjoy, regardless of a player’s skill.

How to Mitigate Risks in Fortnite

It’s important to note that if your kids go to Islands built with Fortnite Creative or UEFN, they will have access to other people’s creations in Fortnite. The good news is, through a combination of automated tools and human review, Epic currently examines all player-created content prior to its release to ensure that it is appropriate for Fortnite’s audience and abides by their content rules.

With so many playing the game, your child could encounter players who may not set the greatest examples in terms of sportsmanship. This presents a good opportunity to talk with your child about online safety, what kind of behavior is appropriate, and what’s over the line. And remember, if another player ever makes your kids feel uncomfortable you can always mute, block, or report the offender.  Moreover, Fortnite has its own robust parental controls and even default settings to ensure that your child has a positive experience.

What Are Cabined Accounts?

Epic launched Cabined Accounts in late 2022, a new type of Epic account that provides a tailored experience designed to help ensure that experiences are appropriate for younger players.

Should your kids be under 13 their account will automatically be classified as a Cabined Account and require you to approve your child’s access to certain in-game features. (This is a reminder about why it’s so vitally important that your kids always enter their accurate age when signing up for a product or service!) Once your child receives parental consent, they will no longer have a Cabined Account and their experience will respect your preferred Parental Control settings.

When your kids register for Fortnite, they will be asked for a parent’s email address. Epic will then send an email to you letting you know about your child’s Epic account and provide you with the opportunity to provide permission to access certain features and set up parental controls that:

• Manage the games your kids can get in the Epic Games Store based on ESRB ratings;
• Limit online chat (voice and/or text) to Everybody, Friends and Teammates, Friends Only, or Nobody;
• Block or limit spending on in-game purchases using Epic Games payment; and
• Set up parental controls that allow you to manage who your child is able to send or accept Epic friend requests from;
• Track the amount of time your kids spend playing Fortnite every week.

Where Can You Play Fortnite?

The game is available for download on multiple gaming platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and the Epic Games Store. For Android users, it’s also available in the Samsung Galaxy Store on Samsung Galaxy devices, or from the Epic Games App on all other Android devices. As of this writing, the mobile version of the game is no longer available for download in either the Apple App Store or Google Play but can be played if the game was previously installed on an iOS or Android device. Fortnite is also playable via cloud streaming on Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

Notably, Fortnite allows players on one device to play with friends and other players using a different one. This is referred to as “cross-platform” playability, a feature that not every game has but greatly expands the pool of online players.

How Much Does Fortnite Cost?

Anyone can access and play Fortnite for free. However, the game offers purchases with its own in-game currency called V-Bucks (1000 V-Bucks costs $7.99). Players can use V-Bucks to buy in-game items like cosmetics to customize their experience. They can also buy a Battle Pass using 950 V-Bucks, adding an extra layer of unlockable gadgets and bonuses for each gameplay “season,” which typically lasts for about 10 weeks. A Fortnite Crew subscription of $11.99 a month will get players a monthly bonus of 1,000 V-Bucks, the most recent Battle Pass and exclusive outfits.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite, as they don’t provide any competitive advantage. Players are not penalized for sticking with the free option. On top of that, players can also earn V-Bucks by completing in-game tasks, making additional purchases entirely optional.

While Battle Royale and Creative modes are free-to-play, Save the World needs to be purchased for access. The price has fluctuated over time between $15.99 and $39.99 depending on the platform.

For the record, buying V-Bucks is not required to enjoy Fortnite.

Keep in mind that some of these costs are subject to change, so it’s helpful to double check before making a purchase.

Additional Tips for Parents

While Cabined Accounts and parental controls offer parents many great choices, there are more steps you can take to ensure that your kids have appropriate video game experiences.

We always say that the best first step is to call a family meeting and establish some household rules around video game play. By first discussing the situation you’re setting a precedent for an open-ended, judgment-free conversation about video games. You’re also letting them know that, while you respect their love of playing games, there are parameters that the whole family (even you!) need to respect.

To back this up, you can also set platform-level parental controls. All video game platforms (including consoles, smartphones, and computers) also include parental controls, which you can activate to manage what games your kids play, with whom, when/for how long, and whether they can spend money on in-game purchases and/or new games. Some devices even let you set spending limits or allot time parameters for every day of the week. Both iOS and Android mobile devices also offer effective tools for parents, like Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link. ESRB offers step-by-step parental controls guides at ParentalTools.org.

Visit ESRB’s Family Gaming Guide for more information on household rules, parental controls, online safety tips, and more.

Patricia E. Vance is the president of the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). In her position, she leads the teams responsible for assigning age and content ratings to video games and apps, enforcing marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and operating ESRB Privacy Certified, an FTC-sanctioned COPPA Safe Harbor Privacy seal certification program.

The post What Parents Need To Know About Fortnite Battle Royale appeared first on ESRB Ratings.

I’ll admit that it took me some time to get acclimated to it, and that’s coming from someone who grew up gaming. I mean, it wouldn’t have passed as gripping entertainment when we were kids… right? One of the things that sets video games apart from other types of media for me is the unique interaction you simply don’t get from reading a book or watching a film. My connection to a story is rarely greater than when I experience it with a controller in my hand, making the decisions, choosing my pathways, being part of that story. I couldn’t understand the attraction of watching someone else experience something I could do firsthand.

Turns out I was wrong!

Where Can Kids Watch Streamers

There are various ways to view streams, but for the most part, your little ones will probably access them via websites like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, Facebook, and even Tik Tok. Signing up is usually free and accessible from a wide range of devices, from phones and tablets, to laptops, PCs, and video game consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

To access these platforms, though, users need to be aged 13 or older to have and/or manage their own account, so it’s up to you to decide if it’s okay for them to have one under your watchful eye.

The Great Side of Streaming

Streaming gives kids an incredible window into the scope and magic of video games. These streams – which are broadcast live from the streamers’ own homes or offices – enables the audience to experience games in a way they might not ever be able to otherwise.

To access these platforms, though, users need to be aged 13 or older to have and/or manage their own account.

Children can watch streams to get tips and ideas on how to be better at their favorite titles – particularly highly creative ones like Minecraft (Everyone 10+) – as well as seek out solutions and support should they be stuck on a particularly difficult level. Streaming can also let them experience games they might not be able to afford or titles that have only been released on consoles they don’t own.

Fair warning: It also gives them access to games that you may have repeatedly told them they are not allowed to play!

A big difference between watching cut and edited videos on YouTube and viewing a stream is its immediacy. Kids have instant and real-time access to their favorite streamer personalities – many of whom build a community of fans and gamers. They are able to leave comments in the chat and interact with hundreds of fans dedicated to their favorite games and gamers. This obviously cuts both ways.

Being part of a community like that can be incredibly exciting. You can expose kids to many different views and introduce them to friends they never would have known otherwise. That said, anyone can sign up to participate in streams, and the things that make it so easy to engage, such as its accessibility and low cost, can also make it ripe for abuse.

Creating a Safe Streaming Experience

Trolls – the collective term given to people online who intentionally act in a harmful or malicious way – can sign up for these platforms just as easily as our kids (providing you’ve given them permission, of course), and it’s important to empower your kids with strategies for how to deal with that. While many of the bigger, more established streamers have a team of people monitoring the community chat to ensure content is friendly and the language is squeaky clean, smaller streamers may not have anyone to help them do this, which can lead to less family-friendly remarks slipping through the net.

Don’t panic! Like most things, all you need is an open mind, a pragmatic approach, and the willingness to talk and listen to your kids. There are also a whole host of tools to help you keep your children safe.

A great first step is to familiarize yourself and your kids with a platform’s Terms of Service. These are the long blocks of text written in legalese that pop up when you install a new app – or sign up for a service – for the first time. It outlines what is and is not permitted on the platform and in just about every case, the Terms of Service will outline age requirements (typically 13 years or older) as well as the kind of behavior that can get someone kicked off a platform. This can include inappropriate language or bullying, as there’s a clear difference between friendly, clean trash talk and hateful communications. For the latter, it’s helpful to show your kids how to use the reporting systems. Most streaming platforms have these as      standard now, and knowing how they work can be the difference between a handful of vulnerable people seeing inappropriate content, and hundreds (or thousands!) seeing it.

And if your child decides to stream themselves… well, the internet’s not always a kind place, is it? People can be targeted for so many ridiculous, petty reasons, and never is this more apparent than online. Many adults are not ready for the cyberbullying and abuse that comes with a little internet fame, let alone our kids, and because things are broadcast live, it’s critical to remember that there is no option to edit out mistakes. If someone accidentally reveals their location, what school they go to, or any other piece of personal information, there’s no way of walking that back.

If your child is interested in conducting their own streams it can be monumentally helpful to sit down with them before they kick off their new channel and discuss what they can do to avoid just these kinds of scenarios. People will not always be kind, and you should empower your kids to come to you when they’re feeling bullied or threatened, so you can tackle the issue together and put measures in place to mitigate it in the future.

Getting Involved

It’s not just the conduct of the streamers themselves you need to be mindful of, either – the games they play also need to be monitored. Streamers don’t always indicate on their videos if they’re playing a more restrictively rated game, and there are no strict obstacles, either. All our kids have to do to gain access to potentially inappropriate content is check a box to say they “accept” that a stream contains mature content. This can be problematic, especially if a young person thinks they’re ready to watch a game with mature themes. That’s where we, as parents, come in.

Most streamers keep an archive of their past streams on their channels, so if you’re unsure of their suitability, it might be worth grabbing a glass of your favorite beverage, finding a quiet spot when the little ‘uns are in bed, and watching for yourself. They could turn out to be the world’s most wholesome streamer – hurray! – or you could discover that they’re wholly unsuitable for your kids. If it’s the latter – well, at least by watching it, you’ll have a definite idea of their content, and you can clearly and objectively explain to your child why the streamer’s content is not appropriate (yet). Maybe you can even find another streamer who covers the same kinds of games but without the sweary commentary!

An elephant in the room: There’s also the risk of online predators, who have been known to intentionally prowl livestreams that are particularly interesting to children and young people. This is another scenario where empowering your kids to have open communication with you is key. They should never feel embarrassed or worried about coming to you – especially if they end up in a clearly unsafe situation. It’s worth clarifying that while these instances are pretty uncommon, knowing what to do just in case can put your mind at ease. And don’t forget, not only should you report the individual to the platform concerned, in particularly threatening cases you and your children should contact your local authorities, too.

Fortunately, the industry has made incredible strides in monitoring bad actors and removing them from services before they become issues. Still, it’s important to be aware of (and plan for) worst-case scenarios.

Staying involved

Most of all, it’s important to stay involved. Some parents may trust their kids’ judgment while keeping a careful eye from a distance. Meanwhile, others may only permit their children to watch streams when they’re in the same room. Maybe you can find a channel that you can watch together (you might even learn new skills yourself and amaze your friends and family at the next game night)! There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s up to you to find what works best for your family.

Remind your kids that you trust them and you’ll always have their back and that it’s okay to talk to you about streaming – the good and the bad. That way you know that your kids are informed about what is and is not acceptable online behavior and your little gamer can still enjoy their pre-approved channels, safe in the knowledge that they can come to you if anything ever goes wrong.

It took 15 years of civil service monotony for Vikki to crack and switch to writing about games. She has since become an experienced reporter and critic working with a number of outlets in both the UK and beyond, including Eurogamer, GamesRadar+, MTV, NME, and Variety. She’s a Guardian, a Spartan, and a survival horror survivalist. Her k/d ratio is shameful.

The post What Parents Need to Know About Video Game Streaming appeared first on ESRB Ratings.