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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Letting DS not spend real money on Fortnite

120 replies

MidnightVelvetthe7th · 17/09/2018 19:11

Please could I get some opinions, my 9 year old DS wants to spend his saved pocket money (£20) to buy a battle pack in the game Fortnite on the Xbox.

I've said no, as I always say no as I don't like them spending money on online games but I need to examine why I'm so reluctant as he's asking why not. My usual excuses are because you don't get anything to show for your money & if you spend it & the game glitches & loses it/you have to set up another account then you may as well throw your money down a drain. Not to mention that once Fortnite stops becoming the game of the moment its a waste.

I do have form for spending money on online games myself so I understand why he wants to, my game was Farmville 2 & I must have spent about £60 on it, & I don't play it anymore so it was a total waste of cash. I don't play any online games now but I understand the want to get ahead.

But AIBU, is it normal for kids to spend their pocket money on this sort of thing now? Do your DC do it? Should I change my mind & let him?

OP posts:
BananaBonanza · 17/09/2018 22:47

@Mrskeats

Well yes whilst that quote is taken from the definition of a PEGI 12 game it is worth remembering that definition is only legally binding to retail.

There's a more balanced discussion/interpretation here

MarieMorgan · 17/09/2018 22:51

We have a bedroom and loft full of stuff that my ds much older sisters bought when they were kids. To be honest I'm more than happy for ds to spend his pocket money on online stuff that doesn't take up any space! And as others have said he gets a lot more play value than he would from a comic or some plastic tat.

Sharkwithknees · 17/09/2018 22:53

Shooby, you can't take purchased items from another player. You can eliminate an opponent then take their items they've collected in that match, which is kind of the point of the game! Grin but purchases can't be lost this way.

BananaBonanza · 17/09/2018 22:54

they had been tricked and everything taken from them some of which they had just bought as it was with birthday money

Anything that has a PvP aspect will carry that risk. Anything on a multiplayer online platform that allows you to transfer resources carries that risk. It takes two seconds to find out if a game is PvP or online multiplayer. If you play on that platform you take that risk, I discussed that with my child when they played moshi's, it had taken me 5 seconds Google to make that assessment and prepare my child. I never played the game, but generally the information is already out there.

RepealRepealRepeal · 17/09/2018 22:57

I paid for the battle pass at the start of this season. They have earned enough v bucks to pay for one in the new season themselves. I won't be buying one again, they're reasonably good, so they can just build up the v bucks throughout the next season to buy the battle pass for the following season.

BananaBonanza · 17/09/2018 22:59

@Sharkwithknees there could be an element of trickery if they've persuaded a weaker player to purchase the stuff with the sole aim of seating their character to get it off them.

BananaBonanza · 17/09/2018 23:02

But I'm not really sure how fortnite works so wouldn't know for sure.

Moshi's it was hacking.... so not quite the same. But the point is on a big game of fortnight the information on the risks will be out there on the internet PDQ.

Sharkwithknees · 17/09/2018 23:17

Nope, to the best of my knowledge purchases are linked to gamertags and can't be transferred to other players. (I admittedly play it occasionally) It sounds like someone has used a 'trap' to eliminate Shooby's SC to steal their kit they've collected in the game. Annoying, but as I say it's the point of the game - not bullying Shooby, hope this eases your mind slightly! Again, totally agree with posts that kids should absolutely not be playing on them instead of sleep and time on them should be limited.

Shoobydooby09 · 17/09/2018 23:22

@BananaBonanza I'm not really sure how it works either !!Grin I do know SC was very upset even if they explained it to me now I could probably explain it wrong on here!!

@sharkwithknees- just out of interest then what could have happened to make SC so upset over being tricked (perhaps to get eliminated) ? Can you swap things with each other? Perhaps a swap wasn't honoured? I seem to recall something about putting your weapons down at the same time why am I interested in this? however, I'm starting to think, that this is may be something that's not actually part of the game but the kids were doing amongst themselves ?? Possible??

Shoobydooby09 · 17/09/2018 23:24

@sharkwithknees - SC bad loser then !!! That sounds more like it Grin

Sharkwithknees · 17/09/2018 23:27

Ah yeah you can drop your weapons in a match for others to pick up. Bit mean of the friend, but it'll only be for that match. Weapons can't be purchased and only looted for in each game, everyone starts off with an empty itinerary.

I do realise as a professional in my 30s that I know way too much about this game Grin

Shoobydooby09 · 18/09/2018 06:21

@sharkwithknees - ha ha !! You can be the MN Fortnite expert - I could really impress with my new found knowledge Grin

FoofFighter · 18/09/2018 09:21

@GuavaPalava I think I'm not the one guilty of not reading properly, look above your first comment 🙄

Junkmail · 18/09/2018 10:48

When me and my sisters were young we would spend money on temporary tattoos and Pokemon cards and sailor moon crap. Honestly it’s no more a waste of money than spending on Fortnite. Like others have said ask him to wait for the new season but if it’s a game he really enjoys and plays often then what’s the harm on spending a little on it? My husband buys his son the battle pass with each new season. It’s a game they enjoy together and my step son loves it so I don’t see it as a waste anymore than spending money on any other childhood hobby.

BombayThanksgiving · 19/09/2018 13:56

To be frank, I'm beyond pissed off with my kids being glued to screens. For the first time in years, we have a house with a garden, and loads of the DC's friends live in our cul de sac.

Shoot me, but I'd much rather they were playing outside with their friends than shitting on about Fortnite, Minecraft, and my 7yo DS saying he wants to be a YouTuber.

DH doesn't help. He's a gamer who thinks he's a thing of beauty and a boy forever.

Sharkwithknees · 19/09/2018 14:05

I'm baffled that people think kids can't do both, my daughter's out with her friends loads, homework always done, plays sports, reads books, etc. An hour on a games console now and again doesn't have to mean she can't do any of the above.

BombayThanksgiving · 19/09/2018 14:20

Sharkwithknees, your DD sounds active, intelligent, well balanced and that's brilliant. An hour or so on a console will do no harm in the slightest.

It becomes an issue when being on a console is ALL they want to do.

Sharkwithknees · 19/09/2018 17:02

Fair do, I thoroughly concur with that!

FrustratedTeddyLamp · 19/09/2018 17:21

Just a heads up if they complete enough objectives each season they are rewarded with enough in game currency ( v bucks) to buy the next season pass

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