Why is Fortnite so expensive and why does my kid care??

Dec 241 min read

My 13yo is constantly asking for money for Fortnite cosmetics. Like $15-20 skins, emotes, battle passes. I don't get it - they're purely cosmetic and don't affect gameplay. But apparently they're ESSENTIAL because "everyone has them" or whatever.

I'm not rich but I'm not struggling either and I could buy them but it feels like feeding an addiction? Am I being stingy or is this actually a thing where I should be setting boundaries? And honestly how do other parents navigate this?

12 comments323 views

Comments(12)

LLiam S.RegularDec 24

lol my son wanted a $20 skin and I literally said "that costs more than a new book, why should I pay that?" He didn't have a good answer.

NNeil C.New DadDec 25

Real talk though - $15-20 every few weeks adds up fast. One skin becomes three becomes a battle pass and suddenly you're spending $60/month on air.

SSam F.New DadDec 24

They care because their friends have them and it's how they feel part of the squad, even if it's dumb to us. Still doesn't mean you gotta fund it tho.

SSawyer N.RegularDec 24

Yeah but in his defense to your kid, if literally everyone else has the cool skins and you're running the default model it does feel lame. I hate that this is the reality but it's real social currency for them

WWes B.RegularDec 25

The cosmetic thing is actually the sneaky part. Epic knows kids will pay bc it feels less "real" than actual gameplay stuff. It's designed that way.

MMiles B.New DadDec 25

The battle pass thing especially gets me because it's recurring. It's subscription gaming sneaked in through the back door. At least acknowledge it as such instead of framing it as cosmetic options

FFrank T.RegularDec 26

I made my 12yo earn it through chores. She actually values the skins more now and asks less frequently bc there's friction. Try tying it to allowance?

DDex J.New DadDec 25

The ESSENTIAL part is the kicker. No it's not. Kids think their social survival depends on cosmetics but that's just FOMO baked into the game design.

RRyan G.RegularDec 26

I get the appeal but $20 for a skin that's invisible in gameplay seems like a scam designed to prey on kids' FOMO. Battle pass at least has content but random cosmetics? That's just flex culture

DDean F.RegularDec 26

It's basically the same as us wanting to customize our cars or clothes when we were kids. The cosmetics are what makes the game feel personalized to them. Doesn't make the money requests less annoying though lol

PPhil B.RegularDec 27

My 13yo did the same thing. I told her if she wanted skins that badly she could do chores to earn the money. Suddenly they weren't as essential lol. Now she's actually selective about what she buys instead of just asking for every new drop

TTony L.RegularDec 27

I set a monthly budget for my son - he gets $15 to spend on whatever cosmetics he wants. Once it's gone that's it. He's way more thoughtful about purchases now instead of asking for the new thing every week