Has “Fortnite” Fever Taken Over Sheldon?

Ulises Ruiz Lopez staff writer

“Fortnite” took over the internet when it first released back in 2017. It is still going strong as one of the most played games in the world, with more than twentythree million players on “Fortnite” daily. For those who don't know, “Fortnite” is a survival game where 100 players fight against each other in player-versus-player combat with the goal of being the last one standing. This game offers in-game purchases and plenty of game modes that keep the player wanting to play more. Skins and emotes are popular cosmetic items in “Fortnite.” Skins change the appearance of a player's character, while emotes allow them to perform unique animations during gameplay. Most Sheldon students have an idea of what “Fortnite” is, and some continue to play the game. However, some have stopped playing because of how repetitive it got, or because it lost its entertaining factor over the years.

Junior Kenia Gonzalez stated, “It was a big thing back in 2020. Its time has passed, and it’s time to move on from playing “Fortnite.” Gonzalez hasn’t played “Fortnite” before, but she brings some insight on “Fortnite’s” popularity and if it’s still being talked about. “I feel like there isn’t as many kids who play it anymore, but it’s also being mentioned a lot more around the world, mainly though social media.”

Junior Kaden Jacobson is a casual gamer and still plays “Fortnite.” He regularly plays and still enjoys the fun it brings. The most fun he ever had playing “Fortnite” was in its early days, when people were just getting good at the game. Jacobson said his favorite season was season four or season five, “I played with my brother, and it was really fun.” Many people believe that the early stages of “Fortnite” were one of the best, due to the amount of joy it brought players and how diverse the maps, skins, and emotes were. “The game was at a good point because no one was too skilled or unskilled, it was an equal playing field. There weren't as many sweats [people who play too seriously or trying too hard to win] as there are right now,” said Jacobson.

Some students really liked the early stages of “Fortnite” when there wasn't a ton of competition, and it was easier to win games and get kills. Now, most of the “Fortnite” player base have improved drastically, and it’s more competitive than ever before.

The COVID pandemic had far-reaching effects on nearly every aspect of life, including the world of gaming. As people around the world were forced to spend more time at home due to lockdowns and social distancing measures, online gaming saw a surge in popularity as a way to stay connected with others and pass the time. “Fortnite” took advantage of this and continued to thrive during this time. With its constant updates and new customization options, there were endless possibilities to fight the boredom. Junior Cohen Chase stated, “During peak COVID,