How Old Do You Have To Be To Play Fortnite?
When it comes to the hotly contested world of battle royale brawlers, few have as much universal appeal as Fortnite. Epic Games' third-person shooter has been shooting up the competition since 2017, and as we continue Chapter 2 Season 7, it shows no signs of slowing down.
With so much hype surrounding Fortnite - and a constant stream of updates - fans might be asking how old they need to be to participate. The most popular mode of Fortnite is the classic 100-player battle royale mode when you go solo or team up in squads to score Victory Royale.
Considering there are so many players in each match, Epic tries to safeguard its younger players. As parents ask whether Fortnite is suitable for their children, they'll want to know how old gamers need to be to play Fortnite.
How old do you have to be to play Fortnite?
Click to enlargeWhile the likes of Activision's Call of Duty: Warzone has a higher age threshold due to its gratuitous violence, Epic Games puts a cartoon spin on taking out your opponents. With this in mind, Epic has put a lower age bracket of 12 on most Fortnite matches.
As outlined on the Pan European Game Information (PEGI) site, Fortnite has an age rating of 12. The official PEGI blurb reads, "This game was rated PEGI 12 for frequent scenes of mild violence. It is not suitable for persons under 12 years of age.”
Fortnite is rated 12 on the PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Android versions of the game. Fortnite isn't currently available on Apple, however, it was rated 12 before the game was pulled from the store.
How old do you have to be to play Fortnite at a competitive level?
In regards to how old you have to be if you want to play Fortnite at a professional level, the game's FAQ site confirms you have to be 13 to take part in a competitive event.
The FAQ reads: You have to be at least 13 years old (or such other age, if greater, as may be required in your country of residence) to be eligible to participate. In addition, if you are between the ages of 13-17, you must have permission from your parent or legal guardian to do so".
More and more young players are becoming famous through Twitch and YouTube, meaning there's a growing number of parents who are supporting their up-and-coming streaming stars.
Has Fortnite come under fire for its age restrictions?
Click to enlargeObviously, there have been some criticisms of how Epic handles Fortnite. Namely, it's been slammed for promoting microtransactions. Seeing videos of kids spending hundreds of dollars of their parent's money on skins might seem funny, but it's a growing problem for savvy kids that have access to accounts with credit cards linked.
Elsewhere, there are problems with the fact the 12-year-old guidelines aren't always stuck to. Last year, player Zenon was hit with a ban for playing Arena Mode at a competitive level. The 9-year-old player was associated with DETONA Gaming, but didn't meet Epic's age requirements and was banned. Although Epic states you can play at a competitive level if you are 13, you'll still need your parent's permission.
How can you prevent problems with young players in Fortnite?
Away from Epic's official stance, parents are advised to limit their child's abilities in-game. There are options for in-game voice chat, although they can be limited for younger players. Any adult or inappropriate behaviour that is picked up or reported by Epic will lead to a ban.
Finally, it's advised that parents keep a close eye on their children while playing Fortnite and make sure they aren't being subjected to potentially adult behaviours from rivals. Apart from that, enjoy Fortnite (if you're old enough) and make your way to the top of the Battle Pass in your favourite Fortnite skins.
