Fortnite dev raises R2.1 billion for Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts

Everyone knows that Fortnite is the biggest battle royale title to date. With constant updates, a tonne of cosmetic items to purchase with real money (via V-Bucks) and seasonal battle passes, a bustling esports scene and more. The power of such a popular esports title cannot be underestimated. Thanks to proceeds from Fortnite, Epic Games has managed to raise roughly R2.1 billion for humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine…wow.

Fortnite raises R2.1 billion

Last month, developer Epic Games announced that all proceeds from 20th March to 3rd April 2022 would go to humanitarian relief efforts for people affected by the war in Ukraine. This includes net proceeds for Fortnite via the Xbox Store, as Microsoft joined in.

In the end, Fortnite proceeds for that time period reached $144 million USD. At the current Dollar to Rand exchange rate, that’s just over R2.1 billion.

In the announcement, Epic Games states: “Together with the Fortnite community and Xbox, we raised $144 million USD for Direct Relief, UNICEF, UN World Food Program, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and World Central Kitchen in support of their humanitarian relief efforts for people affected by the war in Ukraine. Our deepest thanks to everyone who contributed.”

Epic Games isn’t waiting around for the actual funds to all come in from their platform and payment partners either. They are the money “as quickly as we can” to the humanitarian relief organizations. Well done Epic, well done!

Header image via Epic Games.