Thanks to extras, "Fortnite" is the highest-earning free video game

Transcription

1 Thanks to extras, "Fortnite" is the highest-earning free video game By USA Today, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 692 Level 860L A man takes a selfie with a Fortnite Loot Llama in a red telephone box on Neal Street in Covent Garden, London. Photo by: David Mirzoeff/PA Images via Getty Images "Fortnite" player Brendan Hickey wanted his character in the online game to stand out. Hickey bought features in the video game. His character can now eat popcorn, dribble a basketball and swing an ax. Does any of this help him jump to the next level or have an advantage in fighting his opponents? Nope. Hickey says he has spent about $140 to $160 on "Fortnite" purchases since October. They set him apart and help him connect with friends who play, he says. "It's the first time we've all been excited to get on and play Xbox together," said Hickey, who is 22 years old. Playing the game is like going out to eat together, he says. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

2 "Fortnite" has 125 million players. They have made "Fortnite" the highest-earning free-to-play game ever. All kinds of people, from athletes and celebrities to school-age kids, play each day. Many spend money to customize their characters. Players Spend Money On Skins In May, the game brought $318 million in earnings for Epic Games, says SuperData Research. The group studies different companies and their earnings. "Fortnite" beat out other games such as Electronic Arts' "FIFA 18" and Activision's "Call of Duty: WWII," which charge for downloads and in-game purchases. The monthly amount for May topped "Pokémon Go" at its peak. When gamers start the game, they are bringing their real-world wallets with them. The outfits and getups let players show their personality. In a study of 1,000 "Fortnite" players by LendEDU, almost 7 in 10 made in-game purchases. "It's almost like younger players are treating 'Fortnite' skins like action figures," said Carter Rogers of SuperData. "It has really become a part of the culture to have the latest skin, the latest fashion." Skins can be outfits or entire looks. Players buying a basketball jersey or a dance move shows a new trend in gaming. In the past, companies have sold ways for players to reach higher levels or unlock characters. However, some people criticized these shortcuts. Last year's "Star Wars: Battlefront II" game from Electronic Arts angered some gamers. It had an option of paying to unlock characters like Luke Skywalker instead of unlocking them as the game progressed. "Fortnite" Fans Are Hooked With "Fortnite," players don't improve at fighting their opponents by getting a new outfit or better weapons. That has only increased the appeal of the game. "Fortnite" has become a national craze. It has frustrated some teachers, who say students have been sneaky. They've tried to play "Fortnite" during class. Players can buy dance moves. Some have become such a hit they're showing up at sporting events. At the recent baseball All-Star Game, several players spoke of their love of the video game. One commercial showed them doing their favorite dances. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 For some players, buying a skin is a way to show appreciation. They want to thank Epic Games for making the game free. Shana Wilcox is 33 years old and lives in Jacksonville, Florida. She posts her "Fortnite" activities on YouTube. Wilcox has spent only $30 on the game. She was never a big player of shooting games, yet has enjoyed playing "Fortnite." Spending Money On The Game Is Worth It Wilcox bought an Easter-bunny skin, partly because it was "really cute." She also wanted to show she appreciates the game. "I have so much fun playing, that it was like, 'OK, the least I can do is buy a skin.'" Buying outfits and dances can cost $5 for a starting bundle to $20 for a skin. Players say their spending is worthwhile. Cody Sipe is from Chesapeake, Virginia. He uses "Fortnite" to connect with his younger brothers. Sipe is 24 years old, and his brothers are scattered across the U.S. One is in military training in California and the other soon will go to college in Florida. They see "who has the cooler-looking outfits" in the game, Sipe says. One of his favorite outfits looks like it came from the movie "Top Gun." The outfit is similar to a jumpsuit worn by Tom Cruise in the 1986 movie. He wanted to look like Cruise, so he bought it, Sipe says with a laugh. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 Quiz 1 Read the introduction [paragraphs 1-6]. Select the paragraph that describes some of the extras players can purchase on "Fortnite." Hickey bought features in the video game. His character can now eat popcorn, dribble a basketball and swing an ax. Does any of this help him jump to the next level or have an advantage in fighting his opponents? Nope. Hickey says he has spent about $140 to $160 on "Fortnite" purchases since October. They set him apart and help him connect with friends who play, he says. "It's the first time we've all been excited to get on and play Xbox together," said Hickey, who is 22 years old. Playing the game is like going out to eat together, he says. All kinds of people, from athletes and celebrities to school-age kids, play each day. Many spend money to customize their characters. 2 Why do "Fortnite" players buy skins for their characters in the game? Which sentence from the section "Spending Money On The Game Is Worth It" supports this? to celebrate holidays; Wilcox bought an Easter-bunny skin, partly because it was "really cute." to make the game more fun; "I have so much fun playing, that it was like, 'OK, the least I can do is buy a skin.'" to connect with other players; They see "who has the cooler-looking outfits" in the game, Sipe says. to disguise themselves; He wanted to look like Cruise, so he bought it, Sipe says with a laugh. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 3 Which two choices are MAIN ideas of the article? 1. Many "Fortnite" characters wear skins like basketball jerseys or famous actors' outfits. 2. Even though "Fortnite" is free to play, the game has made a lot of money selling additional features. 3. Some "Fortnite" players use dance moves from the game at real-life events. 4. "Fortnite" has become a very popular game, with all kinds of people playing it in different places. 1 and 3 1 and 4 2 and 3 2 and 4 4 Read the paragraph from the section "Players Spend Money On Skins." In May, the game brought $318 million in earnings for Epic Games, says SuperData Research. The group studies different companies and their earnings. "Fortnite" beat out other games such as Electronic Arts' "FIFA 18" and Activision's "Call of Duty: WWII," which charge for downloads and in-game purchases. The monthly amount for May topped "Pokémon Go" at its peak. HOW does this paragraph support the MAIN idea of the article? It shows that "Fortnite" has earned more than other popular games. It shows that "Fortnite" cost more to make than other popular games. It explains why "Fortnite" appeals to players more than other games. It explains why "Fortnite" players like to buy extra features in the game. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5

6 Answer Key 1 Read the introduction [paragraphs 1-6]. Select the paragraph that describes some of the extras players can purchase on "Fortnite." Hickey bought features in the video game. His character can now eat popcorn, dribble a basketball and swing an ax. Does any of this help him jump to the next level or have an advantage in fighting his opponents? Nope. Hickey says he has spent about $140 to $160 on "Fortnite" purchases since October. They set him apart and help him connect with friends who play, he says. "It's the first time we've all been excited to get on and play Xbox together," said Hickey, who is 22 years old. Playing the game is like going out to eat together, he says. All kinds of people, from athletes and celebrities to school-age kids, play each day. Many spend money to customize their characters. 2 Why do "Fortnite" players buy skins for their characters in the game? Which sentence from the section "Spending Money On The Game Is Worth It" supports this? to celebrate holidays; Wilcox bought an Easter-bunny skin, partly because it was "really cute." to make the game more fun; "I have so much fun playing, that it was like, 'OK, the least I can do is buy a skin.'" to connect with other players; They see "who has the cooler-looking outfits" in the game, Sipe says. to disguise themselves; He wanted to look like Cruise, so he bought it, Sipe says with a laugh. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 6

7 3 Which two choices are MAIN ideas of the article? 1. Many "Fortnite" characters wear skins like basketball jerseys or famous actors' outfits. 2. Even though "Fortnite" is free to play, the game has made a lot of money selling additional features. 3. Some "Fortnite" players use dance moves from the game at real-life events. 4. "Fortnite" has become a very popular game, with all kinds of people playing it in different places. 1 and 3 1 and 4 2 and 3 2 and 4 4 Read the paragraph from the section "Players Spend Money On Skins." In May, the game brought $318 million in earnings for Epic Games, says SuperData Research. The group studies different companies and their earnings. "Fortnite" beat out other games such as Electronic Arts' "FIFA 18" and Activision's "Call of Duty: WWII," which charge for downloads and in-game purchases. The monthly amount for May topped "Pokémon Go" at its peak. HOW does this paragraph support the MAIN idea of the article? It shows that "Fortnite" has earned more than other popular games. It shows that "Fortnite" cost more to make than other popular games. It explains why "Fortnite" appeals to players more than other games. It explains why "Fortnite" players like to buy extra features in the game. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 7