Kids addicted to computer craze Fortnite are making their parents spend £100s on top-ups
Over £725,000 was spent on top-ups in March alone
PARENTS are forking out hundreds of pounds in top-ups for children addicted to the latest computer game craze Fortnite.
They want its 12-plus certificate raised as kids are skipping meals, ignoring home-work and throwing tantrums when they are made to stop.
The game — involving a hunt for weapons to kill rivals — is free but kids rack up bills on parents’ credit cards for arms upgrades and new outfits for their characters.
US software firm Epic Games has so far raked in nearly £92million from it, with £725,000 spent on top-ups in March alone.
Many parents say their kids are hooked on the game, which has 40million users and three million playing at any one time. Suzanne Sellman, mum to Leo, 10, told ITV’s This Morning: “The game is so full of energy and adrenaline that when you pull them off it they are screaming at the television.”
Nadine Wojakovski said of son Alex, 13: “The other night I caught him smuggling in a takeaway. The prospect of breaking away from the game, which he plays online with strangers, to have dinner with his family was unthinkable.”
A grandparent posted on the MoneySavingExpert website: “Just short of £500 my grandson spent on that game. I’m furious.”
Another mum said her son forked out £150 in four days.
But Andrew Reid, games expert at Glasgow Caledonian University, said there was no evidence it was addictive. He added: “There are lots of people researching Fortnite, and no one’s proved anything.”
Game pro, 13
A BOY of 13 is living every gamer’s dream after becoming Fortnite’s youngest professional player.
Kyle Jackson, who has a bedtime of 9pm, was scouted by game bosses to become part of Team Secret Fortnite, which has four members playing under the name of Mongraal.
He was selected because he consistently tops the game’s leader boards — but they had no idea that he is just 13.
Kyle, of Sidcup, Kent, right, does not make any money from his contract but will get a share of prize money.
He started gaming aged eight, and three years later realised he was “probably better than the average player”.
The schoolboy said: “If a mistake happens, I’ll look over it in replay mode and see what I could have done better and improve on it next time.”