Houseparty, Fortnite partner to let gamers video chat while playing

Nov 18- Group video chat app Houseparty said on Wednesday it has partnered with popular video game “Fortnite” to let friends video chat while playing the game, as people seek various sources of entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand from stay-at-home gamers has boosted videogame sales and the use of social media apps to stay connected with friends…

Nov 18 (Reuters) – Group video chat app Houseparty said on

Wednesday it has partnered with popular video game “Fortnite” to

let friends video chat while playing the game, as people seek

various sources of entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Demand from stay-at-home gamers has boosted videogame salesand the use of social media apps to stay connected with friendsand family, as a spike in new coronavirus cases force people toremain indoors.

Houseparty video chat is currently available to “Fortnite”players on PC, Sony Corp’s PlayStation 5 andPlayStation 4, the company said, adding that players will alsoneed an Android mobile device or Apple Inc’s iOS, withthe Houseparty app installed.

Houseparty, which was acquired by Fortnite-maker Epic Gamesin June last year, said parents can turn off the video chatwithin the game’s parental controls feature and the user must beat least 13 years old to create an account on the video chatapp.(Reporting by Akanksha Rana in Bengaluru; Editing by Amy CarenDaniel)