Fortnite gives Nostalgic Serotonin

For those who might not know, Fortnite is an incredibly popular video game that launched on July 21, 2019. It’s a third-person shooter that pits 100 players against each other in a last-man-standing battle royale format. Millions have played it—whether you have, or if your siblings or friends have, you’ve definitely heard of it. What set Fortnite apart from other games was its colorful, cartoonish style and the ease of jumping into multiplayer matches. The buzz around it was infectious: “Hey, there’s this new game out—let’s all play together!” The sheer number of streamers showcasing Fortnite only added to its appeal.

I started playing Fortnite in middle school, right around its release. Before that, my family didn’t even have Wi-Fi for our iPod, TV, or Wii. But in eighth grade, my dad got us a Wi-Fi router and later gifted me an Xbox for my birthday. The first game I downloaded? You guessed it—Fortnite. Everyone was talking about it, and I’d only played it once at a friend’s sleepover, where I remember their dad walking in at 2 AM, shocked I was still up. I felt pure joy when my Xbox finished downloading the game. Finally, I could join my friends from school who were already playing and chat about it during class.

As the months rolled by, Fortnite kept releasing updates, and I started improving my skills with the controller. The game was so addictive! The vibrant graphics drew me in, and getting eliminations felt exhilarating. My heart would race when I was the last survivor on my team or when victory was just one elimination away. Every win and elimination flooded me with serotonin, making me crave more.

On the aesthetic side, the Fortnite map is a massive island filled with fun locations like Risky Reels, Tilted Towers, and Pleasant Park. When I first started playing, I always landed at Retail Row, memorizing the best houses and loot spots. One of my favorite chests was cleverly hidden above the entrance of a store. However, over time, updates changed the map, replacing my favorite spots with new locations and designs. It was a bummer losing those original areas, but it pushed me to adapt and explore the new layout.

Overall, Fortnite has gave me a new way to connect with friends, experience a rush of emotions, and enjoy stunning graphics, all wrapped in a simple design that keeps drawing me back.