Game developers responsible for Fortnite will soon enable in-game item sales by creators.
Fortnite, the popular online game, is set to undergo a significant transformation as it transitions from a traditional game into a platform that empowers creators. This shift, announced by Epic Games, aims to emulate the success of platforms like Roblox, known for their user-generated gaming marketplaces.
In a move that is being hailed as generous, Epic Games has decided to allow creators to keep 100% of the V-Bucks value of their sales until 2026. This is a departure from the standard 50/50 split, and a clear indication of the company's commitment to supporting creators. During the promotional period, about 74% of the money players spend will flow straight to creators.
Starting from December 2025, creators will be able to sell their own in-game items directly from the islands they've built. This new system allows creators to design and sell both durable and consumable items using updated UEFN tools and a new Verse-based API.
Epic Games will take a cut from item sales and introduce a "sponsored row" for paid ads for creator islands in the discovery feed. The revenue generated from these measures will cover infrastructure, moderation, and R&D costs.
The new system is expected to have a significant impact on the wider user-generated gaming economy. With the new marketplace function, Fortnite aims to compete directly with Roblox. This move is a testament to Fortnite's ambition to become a hub for creative expression and economic opportunity.
Lego Fortnite and Fortnite Festival are examples of Fortnite blurring the lines between games, brands, and music. The worlds inside Fortnite are expected to become weirder, more experimental, and way more personal as creators are given more freedom to express themselves.
Since its inception, Fortnite has paid out a staggering $352 million to creators in 2024 alone, with lifetime payouts reaching $722 million. This new system opens up a new revenue stream for the thousands of creators who've already turned Fortnite into a mini-metaverse.
The founder and leader of Epic Games, Tim Sweeney, has been instrumental in driving this change. He aims to make Fortnite a platform that fosters creativity and rewards its creators. With these changes, Fortnite is transitioning from an engagement-based creator economy to a full marketplace mode.
Allowing creators to sell their own gear in Fortnite is the next logical step in the game's evolution. As Fortnite continues to innovate and adapt, it is clear that it is committed to providing a platform for creators to thrive and build their own communities within the game.
