Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, has announced a new update to its engagement-based formula for paying Fortnite creators. As part of this update, Epic will reward creators if players spend V-bucks before or after visiting the creator’s custom-made Fortnite experience. This change is in line with Epic’s broader efforts to support the Creator Economy 2.0 program.
The new metric introduced by Epic measures the impact of V-bucks spent by individual players on a creator’s island, which is the term used for a creator’s experience within the game. This means that if a player buys an in-game outfit, such as the upcoming Alan Wake outfit, right before jumping into Epic’s Alan Wake-themed Fortnite experience, that purchase will contribute to the payouts that Epic receives as part of the Creator Economy 2.0 program.
Although the specific timeframe for when a player needs to spend money before or after visiting an island is not disclosed, Epic emphasizes that the new metric enables them to more accurately recognize a creator’s impact on the shared engagement payout pool and the overall growth of the Fortnite economy. By incentivizing creators to make fun and engaging experiences, Epic aims to drive long-term success for creators in the Fortnite ecosystem.
The new metric will be implemented on November 1st, coinciding with a price increase for V-bucks in the game. The first payouts that account for the new metric will be sent on December 30th. Epic believes that players who are having fun in Fortnite are more likely to spend in the game. Therefore, creating enjoyable and engaging experiences is crucial for creators to achieve sustained success.
This update follows Fortnite’s recent user interface revamp, which showcased creator-made maps with a YouTube-like redesign. Epic has been increasingly focusing on Fortnite creators, as demonstrated by the recent layoffs at the company. CEO Tim Sweeney highlighted the changing economics of the business, where growth is primarily driven by creator content with revenue sharing. This shift to a creator-centric approach has resulted in a lower margin business but has fueled the expansion of Fortnite.
Furthermore, Epic acknowledges the growing popularity of third-party Fortnite experiences compared to first-party experiences. Players are spending more time exploring creations made by other players rather than the original content developed by Epic. This trend further illustrates the importance of supporting and rewarding creators to sustain the game’s success.
In addition to these updates, Fortnite is currently hosting its annual Halloween event. As part of the event, Epic plans to introduce in-game outfits inspired by spooky characters like Alan Wake, Michael Myers, and Jack Skellington in preparation for the holiday festivities.
The implementation of this new V-bucks metric and the ongoing support for creators in the Fortnite community exemplify Epic Games’ commitment to fostering a vibrant and thriving Creator Economy. The company recognizes the significant role that creators play in the success of Fortnite and aims to provide them with the tools and incentives needed to continue producing compelling experiences for players. By aligning its monetization strategy with the interests of both players and creators, Epic Games ensures the continued growth and sustainability of the Fortnite ecosystem.
