The widely used online gaming platform Fortnite is increasing the cost of its in-game currency effective Thursday, a move that experts say offers insight into the expenses incurred due to its parent company’s legal battles against tech giants Google and Apple. In a statement on March 10, the game’s website explained that the price adjustment is a response to the rising operational costs of Fortnite.
While the game itself is free to play, Fortnite generates revenue through in-game transactions, notably its popular “V-Bucks,” a virtual currency allowing players to purchase various in-game items like “skins.” The price adjustments are being implemented globally. For instance, in Canada, Epic Games, the parent company, will be providing fewer V-Bucks for the same price, such as lowering the V-Bucks from 1,000 to 800 in an $11.99 pack.
Epic Games has been engaged in legal battles against Google and Apple regarding alleged anti-competitive practices, particularly the commission fees imposed on developers for in-app purchases, which can be as high as 30%. In response to attempts to bypass these fees in 2020, Fortnite was swiftly removed from the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. Google later reduced its fees through a settlement, opening doors to competition like the Epic Games store, potentially aiding Epic in offsetting legal expenses.
The legal dispute with Apple continues, with a judge ruling in 2021 that Apple could charge a non-prohibitive fee with the inclusion of alternative payment methods. However, in 2025, the judge found Apple in violation of the order, and Apple subsequently lost its appeal against the decision.
Despite the ongoing antitrust battles, Epic Games has been commended for its industry contributions by challenging these cases, even at the expense of potential mobile revenue from Fortnite. The impact of these legal disputes on Epic Games’ financial standing remains uncertain.
In a separate development, Fortnite saw a decline in player hours in 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating a potential shift in user engagement. However, the game’s enduring popularity within the gaming community, particularly among younger players, suggests that a price increase for V-Bucks is unlikely to deter players significantly.
The move to reduce the value of the in-game currency instead of raising prices directly may alleviate concerns for consumers, particularly parents of young players. While some experts question the pricing strategy in light of Epic’s stance against tech giants, others believe that gamers will continue to support Epic Games due to the perceived fairness in monetization practices within Fortnite.
