Epic Games needs Fortnite players to "help pay the bills" as the multi-billion-dollar company raises V-Bucks prices while making Battle Passes and Crew way worse in value

You know, even extremely profitable companies are struggling in the current economy. Just think of poor Epic Games, faced with the prospect of continuing to run one of the most financially successful games in the world. What choice does it have but to ask Fortnite players to pony up their fair share, shouldering the burden through increased V-Bucks prices and less valuable Battle Passes?

"The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot and we’re raising prices to help pay the bills," Epic says in its announcement. I'm not sure playing the economy card is going to resonate much with Fortnite players, given that the company was valued at $22.5 billion when Disney invested in it in 2024.

Whatever the reasons why, V-Bucks are getting more expensive as of March 19. The most basic pack, priced at $8.99, used to get you 1,000 V-Bucks, but will now offer only 800. You'll still at least get 20% back through Epic Rewards if you make your purchases through the Epic Games Store or the company's mobile and web payment system.

Here's how the new prices shake out (Epic has only confirmed what the changes look like in USD):

• $8.99 Pack – previously 1,000 V-Bucks, now 800
• $22.99 Pack – previously 2,800 V-Bucks, now 2,400
• $36.99 Pack – previously 5,000 V-Bucks, now 4,500
• $89.99 Pack – previously 13,500 V-Bucks, now 12,500
• Exact Amount Pack – previously ~$0.50 for 50 V-Bucks, now ~$0.99

Regular Battle Passes are going down from 1,000 V-Bucks, and will instead cost 800 V-Bucks going forward, but they'll also offer less value. You'll be able to earn 800 V-Bucks from progression, still enough to purchase the next pass, but there will no longer be any V-Bucks-based bonus rewards (you could previously get a maximum of 1,500 V-Bucks back from a Battle Pass if you got all of the currency in the bonus rewards, too).

Meanwhile, other passes are also decreasing in price. When the next OG Pass lands, it'll cost 800 V-Bucks, down from 1,000. The Music Pass and Lego Pass are similarly going from 1,400 to 1,200 V-Bucks next go-round.

And yes, this all affects Fortnite Crew subscriptions, too. Instead of 1,000 V-Bucks, the subscription will now net you just 800 per month. You certainly shouldn't expect Item Shop prices to get any cheaper here, either – after all, Epic Games has clearly fallen on hard times, just like the rest of us. So relatable.

Fortnite nonetheless remains one of the best battle royale games you can play today.