Fortnite Addiction: It's real, but help is available
Clinical Review by:
Published:
Oct 30, 2024
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05:38 p.m.
ET
Are you or someone you know unable to step away from your gaming console, or that many hours have slipped by as you became fully immersed in Fortnite’s online world? Gaming and Fortnite addiction have become a very real concern as multiplayer games have become widely accessible and popular. The best way to combat Fortnite addiction for yourself or someone you know is to be aware of the signs and behaviors that can lead to gaming addiction and what help is available if it does become a problem.
What is Fortnite?
Fortnite is an online video game platform that was created by Epic Games and released in 2017. Fortnite allows players to collaborate with others in a Battle Royale of up to 100 players or by themselves in Save the World mode to fight off zombie-like creatures and be the last player standing. Fortnite is accessible on many different devices and consoles and is easy to use regardless of age or gaming ability.
Can people really get addicted to Fortnite?
Users can become addicted to playing Fortnite and suffer negative consequences from perpetual overuse. Fortnite is an incredibly popular video game and draws a large user base that is made even bigger by competitions with huge case prizes. The addictive nature of video games coupled with financial incentives to play can be a troubling combination.
The video game creation process is oftentimes guided by experts in human psychology and are designed to be engaging and immersive, which can lead to addiction. Potentially addictive components of Fortnite include:
Free to use and easy to access
Young player threshold of 12 years old
Frequent map changes and events that keep the game “new”
Daily and weekly challenges where you can earn more points
Cartoon-like and retro feel of the characters evokes less threatening feel while playing
Limited edition character updates that encourage you to spend money
It is important to know the characteristics of video game addiction and how to help prevent someone from developing problematic gaming habits.
Warning signs of Fortnite addiction
While playing video games is a common hobby, it is important to know if the time you spend on Fortnite is within normal ranges or becoming detrimental to your daily life. Knowing the signs and behaviors of Fortnite and video game addiction can help you know if gaming habits are turning into an addiction.
Signs of Fortnite addiction may include:
Spending hours playing Fortnite without a break
Losing track of time and spending more time than you meant on Fortnite
Feeling like you cannot stop playing Fortnite even if you want to or have tried to
You are embarrassed of the amount of Fortnite you play
Prioritizing Fortnite over other responsibilities
No interest in activities outside of playing Fortnite
Forgoing sleep, eating or basic hygiene in order to play Fortnite
Withdrawal like symptoms when you're not playing Fortnite
Negative impact on relationships due to Fortnite
Mood swings or changes in behavior
Lying about how often you play Fortnite
Fortnite addiction treatment options and resources
If you or someone you know is struggling to regulate video game use or feel they have an addiction to Fortnite, it may be wise to seek out professional support. There are a variety of treatment options available to help video game addiction, and interventions that can help. The type of treatment that someone needs will depend on how severe their Fortnite addiction is.
A helpful way that parents can help reduce their child's amount of time spent on Fortnite is to enable parental controls that set time limits on the game. In user profiles ages 13-18, explicit content is filtered out and parents can maintain a better insight into what their child is viewing. If someone is over 18, they can use certain game or website blockers to reduce the time they spend on Fortnite. Finding other hobbies outside of video games and Fortnite can also reduce time spent playing video games and interact more with people outside of the game.
If you feel your Fortnite addiction is not manageable on your own, professional help is available. Birches Health offers a therapy from the comfort of home with therapists who specialize in treating gaming addiction. You can reach out to the team at Birches for a free consultation or to refer a friend or family member confidentially.
How popular is Fortnite?
Fortnite Battle Royale is currently the most popular multiplayer online game in the world. Within a year of launching in 2017, Fortnite hit 200 million registered users. The data from 2024 indicates that there are approximately 650 million registered users on Fortnite with 1.1 million users playing it daily. Fortnite generated over $9 billion in revenue in its first two years and events held in the game are so popular that they raise monthly revenue by 23%. Over 68% of users worldwide participate in Fortnite battle royale games.
How addictive are video games?
Looking at how video games impact society on a larger scale can provide insight on how they can become addictive. It is estimated that 2.2 billion people around the world play video games and research suggests that as many as 90 million people meet the criteria for a gaming addiction. Access to video games has become easier with most games being available on mobile devices and can be very hard for parents to limit in younger players.
In the United States, the largest group of gamers fall between the ages of 18-34 with those 18 and under being the second largest. Games such as Fortnite can change the way someone's brain functions, creating a constant craving for dopamine hits that are satisfied while playing. Video games also create an online community for those who may have difficulty engaging with people in real life, thus furthering their dependence on using these games for connection.
