All ‘Fortnite’ proceeds pledged to Ukraine aid for 2 weeks, NC-based Epic Games says
For two weeks, all net proceeds from the wildly popular online video game “Fortnite” will go toward humanitarian aid for people affected by the war in Ukraine, publisher Epic Games said.
The announcement came Sunday as Ukraine continues to battle against invading forces from Russia. Hundreds of Ukrainian men, women and children have been killed in Russian bombardments, while millions have sheltered underground or fled the country, according to the Associated Press.
The committed funds from Cary-based Epic Games will go to the United Nations Children’s Fund, Direct Relief, the United Nations World Food Programme and the UN Refugee Agency — humanitarian groups that are working in the country to provide emergency aid.
Epic Games said on its website that the funds will help the groups provide health support, food and clean water, essential supplies, legal aid and shelter.
The company added it would provide support to other groups in the coming weeks.
Xbox will join the effort, committing its net proceeds from Fortnite over the same period, according to Epic Games.
The support period will run from March 20 to April 3, and Epic Games said the company would provide funds as transactions are reported, rather than waiting for them to be processed.
While Fortnite is free to download and play, players can purchase cosmetic items to customize their appearances and weapons in-game.
All Fortnite purchases made with real money will be counted toward the effort, including purchases of in-game virtual currency V-Bucks, gifted Battle Passes, Fortnite Crew subscriptions and cosmetic packs.
Retail store purchases of in-game cosmetics and V-Bucks will also be included, provided they are redeemed in-game during the two-week window, Epic Games said.
The online video game boasts millions of daily players and earned an estimated $1.8 billion in 2019, The News & Observer previously reported.
Last year, Epic Games reached a valuation of $29 billion. The Cary-based company employs hundreds of people across the Triangle.
This story was originally published March 20, 2022 at 12:02 PM.