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What's the deal with 'Fortnite'? The massive video game hit, explained

Fidget spinners are over. Dabbing is here and there. But the new craze is Fortnite: Battle Royale.

Fidget spinners are over. Dabbing is here and there. But right now, it's all about Fortnite: Battle Royale.

You may have heard your kids talking about it, or your friends. Celebrities like Joe Jonas, and Chance the Rapper are tweeting about it. Drake even played the game live with one of the biggest game streamers in the world. And now, its creators are giving away $100 million in esports prize money for playing it.

You've heard terms like "battle bus," "V-Bucks" and "Tilted Towers" thrown around like a brand new language. Well, we're hoping we can give you some answers.

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What is 'Fortnite: Battle Royale'?

Fortnite: Battle Royale is an online survival game for up to 100 players where players drop onto a large island, collect loot (guns, health packs, ammunition) and compete against other players to be the last team -- or player -- standing.

The mode is an offshoot of its base game, Fortnite, developed by Epic Games and People Can Fly, the developers known for titles like Gears of War, Bulletstorm and Unreal Tournament. 

While the base game is a zombie survival/base-building game, its "Battle Royale" mode popped up more recently, following a trend of other similar games like Playerunknown's Battlegrounds and The Hunt: Showdown, with the added building mechanics, of course.

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How can I play it?

Fornite: Battle Royale is available for free on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS, PC and Mac. A mobile version for Android is planned. It is a digital download, but a boxed version (which includes the base game), published by Frisco-based Gearbox Software, can be found in stores for $59.99.

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Is it really free?

Fortnite: Battle Royale is, in fact, free to download. You can play it on any of the above systems without having to drop a dime, but the game does have micro-transactions, much like phone apps and their "in-app purchases."

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You can buy a "Founder's Pack," which includes the base game for $59.99, or piecemeal "V-bucks" from Fortnite's in-game store. "V-Bucks" are the digital currency of the game and can be used to purchase cosmetic items and battle passes (see below).

The game is in 'early access'? What does that mean?

Early access games have been trendy for several years now, especially since Minecraft became a smash hit. Essentially, a game in "early access" isn't done -- you're paying to play an unfinished product while the developers continue to work on it.

There are pros and cons to this. On one hand, the game you're paying for may change drastically before its "official" release, and in some cases it may never actually be finished at all. On the other hand, early access can be an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something new and have at least a little bit of influence on how the rest of the game gets made.

The kids are playing this in class?

Apparently so. With the staggered release of the game's mobile version on iOS devices, Fortnite: Battle Royale is now taking over the classroom. Teachers and administrators are reporting that the game is distracting from schoolwork, and some schools have alerted parents to the game's prominence.

Even the game itself is now warning kids who play the game during class, albeit having fun while doing so.

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Should I buy 'V-Bucks'?

Well, that depends. If you're just looking to play the game with no strings attached, then no. But the game does offer incentive for those that pony up the cash for these in-game dollars.

A battle pass can be purchased for each of the game's "seasons," month-long segments that help to break up the game's competitive and ranked standings. A battle pass costs 950 "V-Bucks" or about $10, which can be paid via credit/debit or prepaid card through the in-game store.

In Fortnite: Battle Royale, players unlock items as they advance through tiers in the multiplayer. With a battle pass, those tiers bring additional items and bonuses. An upgraded battle pass and bonafide "loot boxes," known in-game as piñatas, are also available to purchase for varying amounts.

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Can I play with my friends?

Fortnite: Battle Royale can be played online with both friends and strangers. You can have a squad of up to four friends, while teams and enemies are filled out by players from around the world. The game also supports crossplay on some consoles.

Here's a handy breakdown:

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PlayStation 4 players can play with...

  • PC players
  • Mac players
  • PlayStation 4 players
  • iOS players

Xbox One players can play with...

  • PC players
  • Mac players
  • Xbox One players
  • Nintendo Switch players
  • iOS players
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Nintendo Switch players can play with...

  • PC players
  • Mac players
  • Xbox One players
  • iOS players
  • Nintendo Switch players

Xbox One and PlayStation 4 players can not play together, though Microsoft and Epic will be quick to tell you that it's not their fault. Also, if you've used your Epic Games account to play Fortnite: Battle Royale on a PlayStation 4, you won't be able to connect and play on Xbox One or Nintendo Switch.

Can my kids play this?

Fortnite: Battle Royale is rated T for Teen, which means that kids can download or purchase the game without express permission from a parent or guardian. That being said, the game does sport cartoon violence, mostly involving guns, traps and "killing" other players.

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According to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, "Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language."

For more, visit the ESRB page for Fortnite.

Staff writer Britton Peele contributed to this story.