With the real-world cost of impulsive purchases in Fortnite increasing, Epic has made an official announcement. This isn't due to an increase in the price of skins themselves, but rather a devaluation of V-Bucks, the game’s virtual currency. Starting March 19, the same bundle prices from February will now provide fewer V-Bucks, accompanied by several additional pricing adjustments across the Fortnite ecosystem.
While Epic continues to offer bundles ranging from $8.99 to $89.99, the value per dollar has shifted. The updated pricing structure includes:
$8.99 now yields 800 V-Bucks, down from 1,000
$22.99 provides 2,400 V-Bucks, previously 2,800
$36.99 delivers 4,500 V-Bucks, down from 5,000
$89.99 now offers 12,500 V-Bucks, compared to 13,500 before
In addition, the "Exact Amount Pack," which allows players to purchase precise quantities of V-Bucks for specific transactions, is being restructured. Previously priced at approximately $0.50 for 50 V-Bucks, it now costs $0.99 for the same amount.
These adjustments are currently limited to the U.S. market and may differ in other regions. However, they don’t fully reflect the overall value provided by Epic through its Rewards program. Subscribers using the Epic Games Store or the company’s payment system on Android, iOS, PC, or web platforms can earn back 20% of their spending on Fortnite, Fall Guys, and Rocket League. This means that purchases such as the $8.99 bundle could yield up to $1.79 in rewards, while the $89.99 bundle could return up to $17.99 in usable currency.
The adjustment in V-Buck value also affects Fortnite's various subscription and battle passes. The standard Battle Pass is now priced at 800 V-Bucks and rewards 800 V-Bucks, a reduction from the prior 1,000 V-Bucks. The OG Pass, designed for the throwback game mode, has dropped from 1,000 to 800 V-Bucks. Similarly, both the Music and Lego Passes have been reduced from 1,400 to 1,200 V-Bucks. For members of Fortnite Crew, the monthly allowance of V-Bucks has decreased from 1,000 to 800.
Epic attributes these changes to rising operational costs associated with maintaining Fortnite. However, the company is also leveraging its recent legal victories against tech giants like Apple and Google, allowing it to direct users to its own payment system on mobile platforms. This shift helps avoid app store fees and enhances revenue margins. Additionally, Epic has secured significant concessions from Google, signaling a potential transformation in how app store economies operate.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/epic-is-increasing-the-price-of-fortnites-v-bucks-currency-185800744.html?src=rss