Fortnite's Battle Royale mode has spiked much interest among teens and even young and old adults. But why does this game and so many other Battle Royale games keep you playing for hours with your friends?

1. It's social

A lot of teens today use Snapchat, Instagram, and other social media platforms. But these apps don't fill our human need for talking and interacting with other people. These apps just give us little spikes of dopamine, a brain chemical that gives us satisfaction and encourages us to do an action over again. Fortnite is a game that instantly becomes more enjoyable when you get into Squad Mode, where you play with up to three other friends. You can catch up with your friends, have some laughs, dis people, and just have a good time. Basically, you won't stop playing until your friends stop playing (even if it's 2am).

2. It's not pay-to-win

Remember those old Nintendo games like Contra and Super Mario Bros where you had to start at level 1, you have three lives for the entire game, and when you die, you have to start all over again? These games were challenging and took patience and skill. But, gone are the days of games that require skill. Want to level up, just pay some money. Want the special sword that deals max damage, just pay more money. This pattern of pay-to-win games and micro transactions within games and the idea of in-game "membership" or "premium players" means that games don't required patience and skill anymore. Just about how much you're willing to pay.

With the introduction of these Battle Royale games, it's clear that you need skill to succeed. You can pay as much as you want for skins and emotes, but none of this gives you advantages when you're in a shot-gun battle. Everyone starts with nothing and it takes actual skill to win. Fortnite is a fresh not-pay-to-win game for young people.

3. Everyone plays it

The Fortnite community is so big that any young teen or adult can't walk out their door without hearing some reference to Fortnite at school or on the street on a daily basis. It's a great conversation starter, and you might find yourself meeting a new person and immediately asking them, "do you play Fortnite?" Forming a great squad with skillful people is how you win the game if you suck at solo.

4. Games are short

You may have a Fortnite round that lasts 30 seconds, and other ones that are 20 minutes. You might find yourself looting for an entire round and getting sniped before you even see another person. Even though Fortnite is the same game over and over again, it isn't. Because every round is a completely new experience.

Kids may get into the pattern of telling themselves "okay, one more game and then I'll go to bed". But then you have a bad round, so you have to play again. You can't end the night on a bad round. Then you have a good round with awesome shot-gun battles. But now you're adrenaline is up, you're getting cocky, and you want to play one more game. Maybe the next game will be your winning game.

Takeaways...

So, what to take away from this post? Fortnite is an awesome social game that brings back that sense of developing actual skills to win. Just remember to enjoy the game, but get rest, go to the bathroom, and eat food. Keep your actual self alive so you can play Fortnite tomorrow.