Fortnite: Battle Royale - Epic Games

This review of Fortnite: Battle Royale was completed by the Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM) on 8 May 2018.

About the app

This section contains details about the app provided by an ACCM Reviewer.

ACCM review

This review of Fortnite: Battle Royale contains the following information:

• The level to which the game was reviewed
• App description
• Reviewers comments
• In App purchasing
• Online information
• Gambling
• Advertising and product placement
• Gender stereotypes and sexual references
• Coarse language
• Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents
• Other

The level to which the game was reviewed

Level 8

App description

In Fortnite players skydive onto an island where they must quickly loot buildings and boxes in order to arm themselves. Player artillery is used to attack/defend against other online players. Other items including bombs, health, special ability positions, and building materials can be collected and used to the player’s advantage (mainly to get up to places where loot is stored and to barricade oneself against attackers). All players have a mandatory pickaxe which can be used to collect materials (e.g. wood from trees) but this item can also be used as a weapon to swing at and kill enemies. Movement is achieved by dragging to move and aim, double tapping to run, tapping anywhere to fire guns, and holding the screen to continuously fire. There are also buttons on-screen for other functions such as jumping, crouching and building. Players can play solo, duo and in a team of four. The aim of the game is to be the last person or team standing.

Reviewers comments

The first person shooter concept isn’t a new one – but due to the popularity of Fortnite, parents should be aware of the style and features of the game. Firstly, the look and feel of this game is very cartoon-like and thus would appeal to a younger audience. It’s not as graphic as the very similar PUBG game but the concept is almost identical; kill or be killed. Due to their similarity these two games are often compared and in a lot of cases playing one may well be a gateway into the other – noting that PUBG is more graphic and realistic - this could be of concern for some parents. Secondly, users need to sign up to play. This includes inputting your first and last name, your email address, creating a user name and agreeing to terms and conditions and receiving latest news and information about “this product”. Thirdly, players can “add friends”. There are a number of ways in which this can be done but most concerning is that you can look up other people and request friends through searching the display name and/or their email address. Furthermore, once connected you can speak with "friends" through voice chat. It is recommended that players click on the drop down menu in the top right hand corner (the three lines), select “Privacy”, and change the default from “Public” to either “Friends” or “Private”. Also, to deactivate the voice chat option: go to the drop down menu; press the cog icon, then press the sound icon, then press the right arrow on “voice chat”.

In App purchasing

To the reviewer’s knowledge, virtual currency cannot be earned through achievements. Thus, any upgrades can only be purchased with real money. Furthermore, achievements can only be unlocked by purchasing the “Battle Pass” or “Battle Bundle” for 950 and 2,800 V-Bucks respectively.

V-Bucks

1000 V-Bucks = $14.99

2500 (+300 Bonus) V-Bucks = $38.99

6000 (+1,500 Bonus) V-Bucks = $89.99

10000 (+3,500 Bonus) V-Bucks = $159.99

Online information

• Identity details
• Log ins
• Microphone
• Connectivity with others online
• Connectivity with social media

Gambling

At the time of review, the reviewer found no simulated gambling content.  If you discover simulated gambling content in this app, please contact uswith the details so we can update our review.

Advertising and product placement

None noted.

Gender stereotypes and sexual references

Unlike other games, avatars cannot be created (unless purchased). The game’s initial avatar is a female and as you progress through the game, it changes to a male. This may imply to some that females are not as effective or revered in battle as males.

Coarse language

None as a standard part of the game, but voice chat doesn’t have a filter.

Game playing behaviour which may be of concern to some parents

See reviewer’s comments.

Other

N/A.

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