A power company in Israel has sent a letter of complaint to Fortnite, claiming that the hit video game encourages players to perform “life-threatening activities”.
The Israel Electric Corporation sent a letter to Fortnite developer Epic Games, citing the concerns it had about people potentially climbing its electricity poles.
“We recently learned about a disturbing and worrying phenomenon that was brought to our attention by people who know and are exposed to your company’s Fortnight [sic] game,” the letter stated.
“According to the information presented to us [Fortnite] is a popular game among children and youth around the world, who spend dozens of hours a week, and are thus influenced by content that affects their behaviour and encourages them to perform life-threatening activities."
The electricity company added that it was involved in numerous educational projects aimed at enabling people to "enjoy the benefits of electricity in their lives but alongside with preventing... the next tragedy."
The free-to-play battle royale game sees 100 players skydive onto an island and fight it out to be the last surviving player or team.
No specific mention was made by the power company about other potentially life-threatening activities that Fortnite players can indulge in, such as firing guns, shooting cannons or jumping off high buildings.
It is also not clear whether the letter was sparked by a specific incident involving a Fortnite player and an electricity pole.
Epic Games could not be immediately reached for a request for comment on whether it plans to abide by the request and limit its gameplay.
“As a leading international gaming company, you are responsible for the personal safety of your consumers,” the letter concludes.
“We therefore ask you to take action to remove dangerous content that encourages life-risking situations related to the use of electricity, such as climbing poles and public lighting facilities.”
.jpg?w=600)
