2019-08-10_The_Week_Junior_UK

Nowthat you’veread abit moreabout it,tell us whatyouthink by voting in our

poll attheweekjunior.co. uk/polls.VoteYESif youthink that Fortnite should

haveits ownWorld Cup,orNOif youdon’t.We’ll publish theresultsnextweek.

Whatdoyouthink?

Should Fortnite haveitsownWorld Cup?

S

inceits release in 2017,Fortnite has become one

of the most popular video games in the world.

In July,the first everFortniteWorld Cupwasheld in

New York. Of the 250 million people who play the

game, and theroughly 40 million who tried to qualify,

just 100 players made it to the finals. Therewerebig

prizes for the winners and runners-up,turningafew

luckyteenagers into instant millionaires. Although

lots of people gotcaught up in theexcitement of the

tournament, others felt uncomfortable about how

much money the winners wereaward ed. Some

parents have also said they areworried that spending

so much time in front ofascreen will haveanegative

impact on players’mental health. So,shouldFortnite

have its ownWorld Cup?

Yes–it’sani ncredible tournament

Some people saythere isn’ tany talent involved in

gaming,but that really isn’t true.To win atFortnite,

you needadecent strategy,quick reflexesand adeep

understanding of how the game works. It’sagame

that requires greatskill –you need to anticipate what

other players arelikely to do.Winning theFortnite

World Cup is just as impressive as doing well at the

Olympics. Besides, taking the top prizeof£2.4 million

could change the lives of the winners and their

families for the better–it’sani ncredible opportunity.

Likeother exciting sportingcontests, theFortnite

World Cup isfascinating. Huge crowds turn out to

watch the best players battle it out, creating agreat

atmosphereand guaranteeingaday toremember.

No –it’snot apropersport

Esportsare diffe rent to most other sports in that they

don’trequireyou to be physically active.Competing

in theFortniteWorld Cup might demandalot of

training, but that means hours upon hours of sitting

and staring atascreen. Some people think this isn’t

healthy,and the chancetowin millions ataWorld

Cup will only makemoreyoung people spend even

longer practising.Amother of one of the British

competitors–who came second–said his grades at

school had suffered because of the time he spent

playing it. Some people might enjoy playingFortnite

over and over again, but thereare lots of betterways

to spend your time.Young people should focus on a

different activity instead.

●From26to28July,thefirsteverFortnite

WorldCupfinalwasheldinNewYork,

intheUS,infrontofacrowdofaround

16,000people.Therewasasolo

competitionforindividualplayersand

aduoscompetitionforpairs.

●Thewinnerofthesolocompetition,

16-year-oldKyleGiersdorffromtheUS,

wasaward ed£2.4million.Intotal,

around£24millionofprizemoneywas

sharedbythewinningplayers.

●Fortniteisavideogameinwhich

playersareparachutedontoanisland.

Theyhavetofindweaponsandbuild

bases,competingwithotherplayersto

seewhocanbet helastonestanding.

Whatyouneedtoknow

The first ever tournamentwasheld

this year in the US.

LAST WEEK’S POLL

Last week, we asked if you thought

people should stop flying on planes

because they create

alot of pollution.

Most of you

thought that

flyingwas

often the only

realistic option.

1

MasteringFortniteisjustasimpressiveas

beinggoodataphysicalsport.

2

There’ shugedemandforsuchatournament.

Theamountofmoneyupforgrabscould

changeagamer’slifeforever.

3

Thousandsofpeopleattendthetournament,

givingitagreatatmosphereandmakingita

showcaseoftheworld’sbestgamingtalent.

1

Trainingforthecompetitioninvolves

spendingmanyhoursstaringatascreen,

whichcanbeu nhealthy.

2

Fortnitedoesn’trequireanyphysicalactivity,

unlikeothersports.

3

Themoneyonoffercouldencouragemore

youngpeopletohideawayintheirbedrooms

practisingthegameinordertowin.

Threereasons why Fortnite should

haveits ownWorld Cup

Threereasons why Fortnite should

not haveits ownWorld Cup

GETTY IMAGES

YES NO

TheWorldCup washeld

inatennisstadium.

DIDYOU

KNO

W?

In^201 8,

Fortnitem

ade an

estimat

ed£2 billion from

people buying items and

in-game

passes.

70%

NO

30%

YES

8

Thebig debate

The Week Junior•10 August 2019

The aim of the Big debatepage isto present two sides of an issuefairly and

objectively,ino rder to stimulatediscussion and allow ourreadersto makeuptheir

minds. The views on the page do notreflect those ofThe Week Junior,and the page

is no tfundedby thirdparties. The page is createdinassociation

with the English-Speaking Union, an educational charity helping

young people discovertheir voiceand realise their full

potential.Formoreinformation, please see esu.org