The popular online gaming platform Fortnite is increasing the cost of its in-game currency, a move that experts say is linked to its parent company’s legal battles against tech giants Google and Apple for alleged antitrust violations.
In a statement on March 10, the game’s website indicated, “The expenses of operating Fortnite have risen significantly, leading us to raise prices to cover our costs.”
Although Fortnite itself is free to play, it generates revenue through in-game transactions, including the purchase of “V-Bucks,” a virtual currency that enables players to acquire new items such as “skins” or other virtual assets.
The price adjustments are being implemented globally. According to a spokesperson from Epic Games, the company will be offering fewer V-Bucks for the same price in Canada. For instance, a pack that previously bought 1,000 V-Bucks for $11.99 will now provide 800 V-Bucks.
For years, Epic has been engaged in legal disputes with Google and Apple, accusing them of anti-competitive practices by imposing fees on developers for in-app purchases, sometimes as high as 30 percent.
When Epic attempted to circumvent these fees in 2020, Fortnite was promptly removed from both the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
Google later reduced its fees in a significant settlement, opening the door to competitors like the Epic Games store, which could potentially assist Epic in covering legal expenses.
The legal battle against Apple is ongoing. Initially, a judge ruled in 2021 that Apple could charge a reasonable fee if it allowed alternative payment methods, but in 2025, the company was found to have violated this order. Apple subsequently lost its appeal against this decision.
Dean Takahashi, the editorial director at GamesBeat, a gaming news outlet, noted that Epic Games has sacrificed potential revenue from Fortnite on mobile platforms during the antitrust cases, which have spanned six years.
Rebuilding a consumer base on mobile platforms after such an extended absence may take time, he added.
Regarding the price changes, Takahashi remarked, “Essentially, they are offering less value for the money spent. This approach might be a way to adjust without causing significant consumer backlash.”
Fortnite previously adjusted global prices in 2023 and 2021.
Decline in Player Hours in 2025
Stephen Totilo, a gaming industry reporter, highlighted the challenge of determining whether Epic Games, as a private entity, is facing financial difficulties.
Fortnite is estimated to generate billions in annual revenue, although this figure appears to have declined between 2021 and 2023.
Totilo mentioned that Epic Games reported a decrease in player hours on Fortnite in 2025 compared to the previous year, with total gameplay hours dropping to 6.65 billion.
He added, “Even when players engage with Fortnite, there is no obligation to spend money within the game, making it harder to gauge if players are opting for a more cost-free experience.”
