Parents of Fortnite-obsessed kids can now breathe a little easier with the introduction of Time Limit Controls, a new feature that lets them manage how long their children play the game.

This latest update, rolled out today by Epic Games, which has the financial backing of China’s Tencent Holdings ADR TCEHY, enhances parental oversight within one of the most popular video games worldwide.

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Fortnite previously faced criticism for its in-game purchases and lack of robust parental controls. With this new feature, the game takes a step forward in addressing these concerns.

Parents can now set playtime limits directly in-game via the Parental Controls section or online through the Epic Account Portal. These controls not only let parents restrict how long kids can play but also allow them to set specific windows for gameplay.

Customizable Options For Parents

One of the standout elements of the new feature is its flexibility. Parents can decide whether or not their children can request more time as their allotted minutes wind down. This function allows for real-time decision-making based on behavior or other factors, giving parents a customizable tool that adapts to their needs.

Epic Games also included a Time Reports system that provides parents with detailed breakdowns of how much time their children spend playing Fortnite. Reports can be accessed online, where daily playtime summaries, weekly totals and a record of any extra time granted is provided.

What Kids Will See

For the kids, the system is built with transparency. As playtime runs out, they'll see notifications popping up to remind them how much time they have left for that day, starting when they hit the 30-minute mark. They'll also find a button that allows them to request more time, a feature that alerts their parent via email.

Expanding Parental Controls

This latest addition to Fortnite's parental controls follows several other features introduced in recent years. Epic Games has steadily built a suite of tools that includes limits on voice and text chat, restrictions on mature language, controls over adding friends, payment limitations and restrictions on accessing higher age-rated content.

The move comes at a crucial time, as Epic Games has faced a series of legal challenges surrounding purchasing mechanics and inadequate parental control measures. With the new Time Limit Controls, the company aims to further align with the demands of parents and regulators who want more stringent oversight within the game.

In recent news, the company recently filed a lawsuit against Alphabet Inc‘s GOOGLGOOG Google and Samsung. Find out everything about it here.

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