Step aside, math tutors: parents are looking to hire experts with a new kind of experience to instruct their kids. According to a new story in the Wall Street Journal, some families are shelling out for Fortnite coaches to help their children win at the wildly popular online game, paying as much as $50 an hour for video game pros to give their kids a boost at tactics and skills in their virtual combat.
Fortnite first took gamers — of both the casual and expert variety — by storm when it came out in September 2017; some sites put the Epic Games creation at as many as 125 million players globally by this summer. The mobile version even out-earned other popular games on mobile like Candy Crush Saga and Clash of Clans within its first three weeks on the market, and expert players began raking in cash for their advanced approach.
Now, it’s become such a social phenomenon amongst all ages that even young kids are needing to get their status up on the game, prompting parents to consider buying the time of those coaches, which can be sought out on social media or on sites like Gamer Sensei and Bidvine, as the WSJ reports. A quick perusal of Gamer Sensei suggests you can book a lesson for as little as $7.50 an hour, although you’ll probably want to spend up to achieve winning results. (And for some parents, apparently, the coaches are helping them keep up with their kids.) The upside: winning can bring in big bucks. The downside: looks like those old-school math tutors have some competition — until school starts up again in the fall, anyway.
Popular Fortnite Merch
- DART BLASTING FORTNITE BLASTER REPLICA: This AR L blaster is inspired by the blaster used in Fortnite, capturing the look and colors of the one in the popular video game
- MOTORIZED 10 DART BLASTING: Blast 10 darts from this motorized blaster that has an acceleration button to power up the motor (batteries required, not included)
- 20 DARTS AND 10 DART CLIP: Includes a 10 dart clip and 20 Official Nerf Elite darts.To ensure proper use of AR L blaster ensure access door is fully closed before use. Make sure clip is inserted fully...
- Jenga game with a Fortnite twist: It's an exciting Jenga game with artwork, themes, and characters inspired by the popular Fortnite online video game
- Spin, stack, climb: Players spin the spinner and follow the commands: the number and type of Blocks to stack, and how many layers their Fortnite character must climb
- Don't fall short: Players move their own pegs up and their opponents' Pegs down as they remove and stack blocks. But if the tower falls As they climb or stack -- it's game over for them
- Practice your aim with this targeting set: this set includes an spmrnum-r blaster, 6 darts and 3 llama targets so you can practice your aim or play competitive games with family and friends
- Includes 3 llama targets: comes with 3 llama targets in different sizes to set up exciting games that challenge skills and test aim and accuracy
- Dart-blasting Fortnite blaster replica: this spmrnum-r blaster is inspired by the blaster used in Fortnite, capturing the look and colors of the one in the popular video game
- Dart-blasting replica of the Fortnite blaster: this its blaster is inspired by the blaster used in the popular Fortnite video game
- Pump-action 4-dart blasting: blast 4 darts in a row from this 4-dart, pump-action blaster that's hand-powered by you (no batteries required)
- 8 darts and storage stock: includes 8 official Nerf Mega darts and has storage on the stock for 4 darts, so you can keep backup darts nearby for fast reloading
- Super-Soft, Huggable Plush for All Ages
- High-Quality Materials
- Collectible Rare Loot Llama
- Unique Rocket Battle Royale gameplay.
- Everything is destructible! Real Sandbox mode.
- Craft Defenses, Forts, Towers, Sky Bridges, everything possible!
- Epic Games
- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Paperback: 112 pages
- Measures 14 inches tall and includes 23 pieces-9 weapons, 4 Back Bling, 8 exclusive building materials and a llama float that fits many 4" Fortnite action figures! Plus, it's pre-filled with a 4-inch...
- Giddy-Up features 25+ points of articulation and highly detailed decoration inspired by one of the most popular outfits from Epic Games' Fortnite.
- Bursting with colorful confetti, reveal your loot by tearing open your Llama to see a War Paint figure and a bunch of cool accessories.
- Ragnarok, Rex, Cuddle Team Leader and Brite Bomber 4" action figures - inspired by four of the most popular outfits from Epic Games' Fortnite.
- 19 points of articulation
- Highly detailed decoration