A mini-guide on how stop playing Fortnite:
Fortnite is the hottest game in the world with over 125 million people playing worldwide. The game is free to download and play, yet through in-game offers for items such as extra costumes for their players, Fortnite has earned more than $1 billion. With Epic Games recently announcing over $100M in prize money for the Fortnite: World Cup, it’s clear the Fortnite phenomenon is here to stay.
Why Is Fortnite So Popular?
Fortnite is a combination of popular games such as Pokémon Go, Minecraft, Valorant and Call of Duty, and appeals to a wide range of different gamers, from those who enjoy fighting, to those who enjoy economics, to those who enjoy being social. Although a fighting game, Fortnite appeals to teenagers with its cartoonish look and pop culture feel.
It also contains a Battle Royale mode, pitting you against up to 99 other players to see who will be the last gamer standing. This creates a strong hook for you to play more because if you come close to winning, you want to try again! Fortnite also contains daily challenges to keep you coming back each day, and is available on all platforms including on the PC, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
Fortnite is not only a viral sensation—with over 40 million people playing in the month of May alone—but it is intentionally designed to be addictive. Here are a number of other game design features in Fortnite:
What is Fortnite Addiction?
The game hasn’t been a hit for everyone though, and parents report heartbreaking stories of Fortnite addiction. The horror these parents face range from teenagers refusing to go to school, to wetting themselves in order to keep playing, and even stealing money.
Recently an online divorce website shared that Fortnite and other online games are the cause of 5% of divorce cases in the UK. Although the majority of gamers play in healthy ways, the World Health Organization estimates that around 4% struggle with addiction issues, and should seek professional help.
How to Stop Playing Fortnite
There are four steps to follow if you want to stop playing Fortnite:
First, you want to commit to a 90 day Fortnite detox. This means not playing Fortnite or any other video game cold turkey for a period of 90 days. Research shows your brain can be negatively impacted from overexposure to video games, and these structural changes take 90 days to reset.
Treat this as an experiment to learn more about yourself and your relationship to gaming. At the end of the 90 day period, you might want to try to play in moderation, or you may want to continue to quit forever. That choice is yours.
Next, you need to find replacement activities. You play video games like Fortnite because they fulfill certain emotional needs you have. These needs can include the desire to escape from stress the desire to socially connect, the desire to experience constant measurable progress, and the desire to feel a sense of purpose or certainty. To stop playing Fortnite you need to replace the need Fortnite fulfills for you with new activities.
Third, structure your time. Video games are your go-to activity whenever you have free time and have fulfilled your obligations for the day. They are your habit, especially when you’re bored, or have nothing better to do. After you quit, be intentional with your time. Use a calendar or daily agenda to schedule your day with your new activities. If you need ideas here are 70+ replacement activities.
Finally, join a support community where you can learn from other gamers on the same journey as you. Free communities like Game Quitters, StopGaming on Reddit, or CGAA will make a big difference in not only providing strategies to help you quit successfully, but to also offer you encouragement and emotional support during the process. Quitting gaming is not always easy, but the benefits are worth it, and you do not have to do it alone.
It can also be helpful to delete your Fortnite account so you aren’t tempted to go back and keep playing.
Need help?
Reading this and struggling with a compulsion or addiction to gaming? You are not alone. Check out Respawn, a program specifically designed to help you quit gaming and take control of your life back. Backed by scientific research, join thousands of others like you who have quit gaming. Start your journey today.
