Father’s Day is coming up, and one gamer has a lot to thank his dad for. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, BuckeFPS shows us the matches that helped him qualify for the Fortnite World Cup. And who is right by his side, coaching him to victory?
No, not one of his wizarding, D&D-loving friends. His Pops, man!
While some parents might freak at the number of hours their kid spends playing video games — and some think it’s addictive — Fortnite is nevertheless becoming bigger than ever. It’s now being brought into some high schools as a sport, and tales of young people making a fortune on the game are cropping up everywhere. In BuckeFPS’s case, his dad helped him qualify for a tournament in which he’ll earn $50,000 just for participating.
That’s right. Before BuckeFPS presses a single button, he’ll earn a cool fifty grand. He has the potential of winning $30 million (or smaller monetary prizes if he doesn’t go all the way) in the final tournament that’s being held at an undisclosed location in New York from July 26th to the 28th.
“As BuckeFPS tries to survive a closing storm circle and a handful of determined Fortnite rivals, his dad tries to calm him down, gives him tips, and encourages him,” writes Polygon journalist Patricia Hernandez in describing the video. “[Dad] also constantly reminds him of how many points his son needs, and how many people are left on the map.”
In other words, this dad isn’t just waving pom-poms and screaming “Atta boy.” No — this dad knows Fortnite. He knows how it works, how to play it, and exactly what moves his kid needs to make to carry him into the gaming stratosphere.
To say that this dad is supportive does not capture how deeply immersed he is in his son’s love of gaming. This is a dad who’s invested every ounce of his soul to help his son succeed.
Watch the video, and at the 8:30 mark you’ll hear BuckeFPS break down after getting a well-deserved pep talk and congratulations from his father. “It’s guaranteed fifty grand. I’m gonna fu@*&ng cry,” says the son through a hailstorm of tears.
“Happy Mother’s Day. You’re the best, Mom,” blubbers BuckeFPS to his delighted mother in the popular video. Kid, you better spend a chunk of that prize money on a life-changing FATHER’S DAY gift.
Watch the video all the way through and you’ll hear a phone call in which the proud father informs his son that he’s qualified for the tournament. BuckeFPS is so stunned, he has to keep asking his dad if it’s true.
“Dude, you remember when you [had] 59 points, 61 points?” says Dad. “And what did your coach say? I said NO, you need 63. 63 got you there.”
“Well, I guess you were right,” BuckeFPS responds. He guesses his dad was right?
I admit, I have no idea what the dad is talking about. I don’t know how to score points in Fortnite. I don’t know how to jump and skip and shoot. I don’t even know why Fortnite is spelled wrong.
But I do know Dad was 100% CORRECT, and he just helped his son make fifty thousand dollars without having to suffer through med school.
Dad won’t be allowed to coach BuckeFPS in the World Cup, but I’m sure he’ll be in the back of his son’s mind the whole way through. And maybe Dad’s pointers will come into play and help the kid win the whole darned thing.
“Good job, buddy,” says Dad on the phone call. “Just do me one favor. Be a humble, thankful player.”
Wow. It’s like he’s America’s dad, too.