Fortnite is an incredibly popular co-op sandbox survival game from developer Epic Games. In its free and 100 players try to survive but only a single individual or squad is left standing by the end. It’s a bit like The Hunger Games, in that unpredictable new risks and dangers appear constantly, and construction is critical to survival.

Fortnite is very fast paced. Though games typically last 25-30 minutes, kids tend to play for hours at a time. Although the chances of survival are slim, navigating the game is a bit like playing a casino slot machine — getting close often encourages players to try again and again. The high level of risk, the need to remain focused for external distractions, and the opportunity to use skills for building, make Fortnite and ADHD a natural match. This doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea for kids with ADHD to spend hours or a full summer vacations playing Fortnite. But it might explain why so many of the kids love and excel at the game.

Some aspects of the game, such as the duos and the four-person squads, require teamwork and collaboration. Players can develop reputations for specific game skills such as finding weapons or building forts that require executive-functioning skills such as flexibility and planning. All players need to learn to escape danger, think on their feet, and be alert to external threats and changes.

It’s too early to say whether Fortnite will be a short-lived phenomenon like Pokémon GO! or sustain its audience like Minecraft. Undoubtedly, kids with ADHD will continue to flock to Fortnite and other similar action and sandbox games. It is critical to help children retain more from playing games like Fortnite by transforming game-based learning into real-world skills. You might find that talking to your child about game-play nurtures your relationship and motivates them to reflect on the thinking skills they use in game-play . Expanding the interest beyond screen-based play is the goal.