Fortnite Slashes V-Bucks Pricing On All Platforms

Update: Since Epic Games made this change, Fortnite has been banned from both Google Play and the App Store. In response, Epic Games filed lawsuits against both Google and Apple, alleging they are monopolizing software sales. It also had a 1984 parody video ready to go, directly going after Apple for its policies.

Original story follows:

Fortnite developer Epic Games has announced a platform-wide slash on the price for V-Bucks, the in-game currency used in its battle royale. Players will now be able to buy them for less, with up to 20% off.

The discount isn't time-limited. Instead Epic Games is making the change permanent, but with a few caveats on some platforms. If you play Fortnite on PC or console--be it Xbox One, PS4, or Nintendo Switch--you won't need to change a thing. The new prices will reflect from today and work with any of your payment methods. For example, 1000 V-Bucks will cost $8 instead of $10.

It's really on mobile where the move starts showing some additional reasoning. Whether you play on Android or iPhone, Fortnite will now offer two methods of payment: using Epic Games' new payment method, or the one provided by Google or Apple respectively. If you choose to go with Epic Game's method, you'll be able to take advantage of the discount. But prices will not change if you go through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

This shift is a way for Epic Games to escape the royalty charges that both platforms enforce, something founder Tim Sweeney has been vocally against for years. By creating its own payment method, Epic Games not only profits from each purchase more, but is able to charge players less without the need to cover off royalty fees. Apple and Google both currently take a 30% cut of all in-app purchases, but Epic says it will adjust pricing accordingly should this change in the future.

If you recently purchased V-Bucks and feel burned by the sudden discount, Epic Games will be rewarding any customers who made purchases between July 14, 2020 - August 13, 2020 with an additional 20% of their order to make up for the discount. All active Fortnite players will also receive the Shooting Starstaff Pickaxe as a gift from Epic Games.