Nine-year-old Fortnite player handed four-year ban

[HyPeroxya]

As if pro Fortnite will still be a thing in four years

ANd if they allowed him to compete for money , bang goes the education of the bottom 20%. We'll have a generation of kids who know nothing but fortnite. Most pro sports stars are incredibly thick already (watch any celebrity game show). They won't even knpw how to get off my Lawn!

 

[Ludak021]

But shouldn't organizers be the ones responsible for allowing a 9 year old to participate in tournament in a game for which you need to be 13+ to participate?

 

[Neojt]

So yeah he broke the rules.

Those age limits are there for multiple legal reasons.
Same reason you cant have a google accout before 13
Now here is another fun one
Quote
Officially, Twitch is for gamers aged 13 years and older.

 

[treetops]

Meh if he was some kind of Chess Genius the rule would be lifted?

 

[p51d007]

The terms and conditions of these competitions state that entrants need to be at least 13 to take part.

Ummmm then either change the TOS or live with the RULES!

 

[TheBigT42]

Creating a game that requires age restrictions is the stupidest thing about games. If the kid is competitive at 4 they should be allowed to play the game. People who play games and make them unfit for a younger audience are the ones that should be banned.

It's not the game it is the $$$ paid aspect.

 

[captaincranky]

Yeah, what's the big deal? I'm sure we have 9 year old Techspot mrmbers..

 

[Fearghast]

Respect to the kid that he's good at the game in his age, but rules of the provider are set and he should be "playing by the rules".
TBH I can quite imagine his "gamer" father being proud of him and being let down his son was banned. Unless they change rules, they are out of luck.
And I really hope in 4 years Fortnite will be dead and forgotten sooner its influence disappears out of other games the better.

 

[DogSuru]

He was not "handed a 4 year ban". That is click bait. He account has been locked out of COMPETITIVE Fortnite modes until he is 13. He is 9 now, so that just happens to be 4 years. He can play the other modes, just not competitive. For legal reasons, you cannot play competitive modes until your are 13. That is in the TOS, and applies to everyone. Epic is not going to change that, and they are not going to make an exception for this one person.

 

[MJCKw]

According to South African law you need to be 15 years of age or Grade 9 to be allowed to apply for work or to work legally. That is the age you receive an identity document and can register for tax. So certain countries laws have been taken into account when designing these terms of service or eulas as most countries say 13 to compete in online tournaments or to apply for online accounts.

Now when the kid signed up for an epic account did he give his correct age or was that incorrect to bypass the age restriction?

 

[PEnnn]

I thought all who played Fortnite were about 9 years old......

His father seems to be like those Trumpists who think the rules don't apply to them, because, you know, they heard on Fox or other septic tank outlets about the Constitewshun!!

 

[cliffordcooley]

Constitewshun!!

You sound as if you don't understand the need in having our constitution. You are throwing daggers at people for standing behind it. Which is the sole purpose in having it. It allows us the opportunity to protect ourselves. Without it we would have no power (I repeat NO POWER) over our government.

 

[PEnnn]

You sound as if you don't understand the need in having our constitution. You are throwing daggers at people for standing behind it. Which is the sole purpose in having it. It allows us the opportunity to protect ourselves. Without it we would have no power (I repeat NO POWER) over our government.

Actually, I do understand greatly the need for the Constitution. Unlike those inbred rednecks who think the Constitution is there for them only, and invoke it feverishly when they can't get a haircut during an epidemic!! (and many doubt they know what they're invoking!).
Go ahead and ask them what part of the Constitution they're quoting!

And Ironically, usually they are the ones who want to trample on other peoples' rights!

 

[Mister_K]

They defined an age at which you can compete in paid tournaments before they banned him. They didn't change the rules to specifically ban this kid. I'm sure it has to do with paying people and age limits on what could be defined as work (since this is some people's "occupation"). Frankly, I'm surprised that it isn't older (18).

If they change the rules, let him play. Until then, no.

Pay their parents. That's how it works for any other aspect of life. Parents are the legal guardians.

 

[havok585]

Sounds to me like another kid broke the ToS and was punished for it; and others will inevitably rise up to defend him for no logical reason whatsoever.

Common sense is so very far from common.

You have no idea what you are saying BUD.

The "TOS" is BS, there is zero common sense for fornite devs to ban a player because he is not x AGE, TOS is not law. it's a bunch of retarded text nobody reads.

 

[Hexic]

You have no idea what you are saying BUD.

The "TOS" is BS, there is zero common sense for fornite devs to ban a player because he is not x AGE, TOS is not law. it's a bunch of retarded text nobody reads.

I'm afraid you don't know what you're saying... Bud? I'm not into quoting pop-up shows that will lose relevancy after 6 months.

ToS isn't "law", and it was never stated as such. However, what you may not understand is that you enter into an agreement with the developer to use their "service" based upon the the terms of service that the user agreed to in order to play the game.

So yes, it does make sense to put an age limit, yes ToS gives them every right to do anything they want because they own the platform, and yes - you should be aware of the general principles of the ToS before playing... Particularly if you're a child.

Nice try, thanks for playing.

 

[blackjack00400]

Creating a game that requires age restrictions is the stupidest thing about games. If the kid is competitive at 4 they should be allowed to play the game. People who play games and make them unfit for a younger audience are the ones that should be banned.

I get your point, but the developers can't change the inherent attitudes of all their users. Trolls would be trolls.

 

[blackjack00400]

You have no idea what you are saying BUD.

The "TOS" is BS, there is zero common sense for fornite devs to ban a player because he is not x AGE, TOS is not law. it's a bunch of retarded text nobody reads.

Just because you probably can't read doesn't mean rules should be broken. And FYI, ToS isn't law, but it is BACKED by LAW. Check your facts next time.

 

[theruck]

How exactly was it clickbait? Nothing in the title was deceptive.

everything. age limit is not a ban. obviously that is applied forcefully to the whole population not just that single child and nobody is writing a sensational article about 9yr old children not being able to play pegi13 titles. its normal and no sensation happening

 

[cliffordcooley]

age limit is not a ban.

Keep telling yourself that.

 

[EClyde]

Tough luck Kid...LOL

 

[Darth Shiv]

While I do think that 9-year old kids shouldn't be playing online multiplayer games at all, your reasoning about EULAs and contracts is dubious and brings common misconceptions. While they're rarely challenged in courts (mostly because most people can't afford it), there's been lots of debate and arguments against the legal validity of such contracts.

I suggest you read the book "The Software Conspiracy" by Mark Minasi. While the main theme of the book is advocating for less buggy software, one of the chapters is called "Software and The Law", and it includes a very in-depth look at TOS'es and EULAs and reasoning why pretty much all of them are illegal. While the book centers on shrink-wrapped commercial software and some of the arguments might not apply much to "free" online services (which are not really free - if you don't pay a fee or subscription, that means you are the product), many still hold true, especially the argument about these sorts of contracts being cohercive and non-negotiable.

Chess isn't ok? Words with friends? They most definitely shouldn't be addicted to online games but to say none at all sounds a little black and white.

 

[mbrowne5061]

The age limit doesn't make any sense to me, especially since all of the players are under 18 years of age. Sounds like the teenagers don't like getting their butts kicked by a nine year old!

Sounds more like COPPA compliance to me.

 

[nudnikp]

The age limit doesn't make any sense to me, especially since all of the players are under 18 years of age. Sounds like the teenagers don't like getting their butts kicked by a nine year old!

hahah you said it not me..

 

[CPO2U]

If his dad is running things, how did his dad not know or use common sense about how old you need to be? All games have a rating, these things arent new. Whether you agree with them or not is totally different. The game has a rating 13 n up. He is to young to play, this isnt rocket science. Just cause someone is good at something doesnt mean they get to break the rules.

Maybe the dad wasn't being strict enough with his son's gaming habits, since he sees how much it means to him.