Community, Not Violence: The Draw of Fortnite

A reference to a video game by the man thought to be behind the mosque attacks in New Zealand has reignited concerns over violence in online gaming. 

In his manifesto, the alleged gunman detailed his white supremacist ideology and referenced the hit game Fortnite.

Fortnite is one of the most popular video games ever, with over 200 million registered players around the world. It's played on a third-person interface with several different game modes, including Battle Royale, where users battle on their own islands to be the last player standing. To win, characters have to shoot and kill each other.

After the attack in Christchurch, some parents expressed concern that excessive violence in media—including video games—could have a bad influence on children. But experts say there's just not enough scientific proof to back up the claim that video games cause violent behavior.

Dr. Michael Frasier, a family psychologist in Manhattan, said parents should be asking different questions.

"The other factors to me that are much more important to look at are what I would call risk factors," he said. "Risk factors being parental neglect, social isolation, extreme views on anything."

Frasier said gaming can serve as an emotional outlet for kids and teens, and the colorful, almost cartoonish world of Fortnite is one of the biggest outlets available. The game isn't just an online community; at this point, it's become a cultural phenomenon. Fortnite has spawned memes, dance crazes, and even hosted a live virtual concert last month with the popular DJ Marshmello. Over 10 million players were logged in and in attendance.

Nancy Mahl, who lives in South Orange, NJ, has a teenage son who plays Fortnite. She's not a big fan of the game, but she says that's because he's always logged on.

"I don't think it's the bloodlust part of it that's what's addictive," she said. "I think it's the randomness of the outcome and the fact that he can do it with friends."

Bijan Stephen, a writer for the Verge, describes the game as a place to hang out in 2019.

"That's where everybody is—that's where your classmates are, it's where all your friends are. It's this place that's a meeting ground and a clearinghouse," Stephen said.

The alleged shooter in the New Zealand attack is a 28-year-old millennial fluent in internet culture. He livestreamed the attacks on Facebook and even used several memes in this manifesto. But that doesn't mean that that online media or games like Fortnite are especially dangerous on their own. 

Many experts agree that parents concerned with their children's online activity should engage and vet the content themselves if they can. Frasier also recommends installing blocking and filtering software to keep kids from going down potentially dangerous online rabbit holes.

"I get that it's scary because it's opaque," Stephen said. "But if you're a parent and you're nervous about what your kid is doing on Fortnite... maybe pick up the game yourself and give it a try."