Fortnite for “Grownups”

I love talking to kids online while playing Fortnite and telling them how old I am. As I approach 50, and continue to engage with the online gaming community, I’m learning some fascinating lessons. Fortnite in particular is a really interesting gaming experiment, for those who’ve never played, Fortnite has thousands of ways it can be played, the most commonly known and played formats are a Save the World campaign that can be played solo or collaborative. Then there is the Battle Royale game that it is most famous for. What I like most about it is that, while the game itself is often buggy, it provides a unique opportunity for it players. Each season is redesigned to include new play dynamics, and environments for the players to figure out. It is an ever evolving game, sometimes receiving dozens of updates in a single season, which lasts about 5 months or so.

The game itself is kind of cartoony and while some players are very competitive and play with a dedicated E-sports approach, many other players, including myself and my friend group, play mainly so we can do ridiculous things like try to get a motorcycle onto a floating island, or doing donuts in a car in the middle of a firefight. One of my favorite Fortnite experiences was when I decided one season to see how far I could advance in the ranked division (i.e. competitive E-sports) while never firing a shot. I played the entire season using a skin that looked like a little old lady, and I carried only fruit and fishing rods. So even though I was regularly finishing in the Top 5 most matches, when I’d get killed by another player, instead of cool weapons, my character dropped a bunch of mostly useless junk. :) It was hilarious and my friends still talk about it years later.

All that to say that what makes games like this fun for me is the ability to play it with your own win conditions. You don’t have to kill the most players, or any players at all honestly, to have a great time playing and feel accomplished. So, if you’ve been curious about Fortnite, or any other game, but find yourself too intimidated by the kids and pro players that like to act like they are the only people who “really know how to play”, give me the chance to help you break through those mental barriers and get you into the game. You can play at your own speed, allow yourself to be a beginner again, learn through failure, and come out the other side with a renewed sense of gamerness. Schedule a free consult with me here. Let’s play!