Queenstown ziplining business challenging young Kiwi gamers to connect with the outdoors through Fortnite-themed tour

September 15, 2018

The company is also challenging more Kiwi kids to get outdoors through the online game.

Flying through the trees instead of staring at screens, Ziptrek Ecotours is a zipline adventure in Queenstown challenging young Kiwi gamers to connect with the outdoors.

One of the tours is themed around the popular online video game, Fortnite.

Ziptrek Ecotours' sales and marketing manager Nicky Busst said, "Fortnite is out in the forest, you get to do challenges, they have victory dances they do, everyone knows 'the floss'".

Played by more than 40 million people worldwide, some are concerned the survival game has an addictive nature.

"I'm also a parent of two boys that I believe spend way too much time on computer games and have become addicted to the Fortnite craze," Ms Busst said.

So they brought "the floss" to the forest, with special challenges and even a Fornite-themed dance-off to take the game off the screen.

On average, high school students spend around 12 hours per week gaming, with only 10 per cent of them meeting the Ministry of Health's recommendations for 60 minutes of exercise a day.

James Driver, a psychotherapist specialising in gaming addiction, says, "While early research suggests the numbers are low at around five per cent, the effects can be severe".

"It can have fairly significant impacts on people's mental health. It can increase depression and anxiety," Mr Driver said.

After the experience, one child said, "I get outside a fair bit but I probably should get outside a bit more". 

"It's a good lesson to know, like, to stay outside and not just always be on your computer," another said.

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