Fortnite raises $50m for Ukraine relief
UPDATE: Fund finishes at $144m raised.
UPDATE 4/4/22: Fortnite's fundraising period for Ukraine has now ended, with an astonishing $144m raised.
The final total, shared via Twitter, was raised from two weeks' worth of profits from Fortnite, plus all of Microsoft's proceeds it would normally take via Xbox.
It's an enormous amount - by far the largest of any video game company, and many countries. It also goes to show just how much money Fortnite makes at the start of its new seasons.
Our deepest thanks to everyone who joined us in supporting humanitarian relief efforts for people affected by the war in Ukraine.
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) April 4, 2022
Together with the Fortnite community and @Xbox, we raised $144 million USD for @DirectRelief @UNICEF, @WFP, @Refugees and @WCKitchen. pic.twitter.com/lPAa8lmfJn
UPDATE 28/3/22: Epic Games has now raised a staggering $100m for Ukraine from this season's Fortnite profits.
The news was shared via Twitter, along with a list of charities which will benefit from Epic's funds.
All of Fortnite's profits will continue to go towards humanitarian efforts in Ukraine for the remainder of this week - until the end of Sunday, 3rd April - meaning this total will still rise further.
As of today, we’ve raised $100 million USD together to support humanitarian relief for people affected by the war in Ukraine. In addition to @UNICEF, @WFP, @Refugees and @DirectRelief, we are now also collaborating with @WCKitchen.
— Fortnite (@FortniteGame) March 29, 2022
Learn more at https://t.co/aexRh7ZEWQ pic.twitter.com/ZQsRYivIAe
ORIGINAL STORY 23/3/22: Epic Games has now raised $50m for Ukraine from three days' worth of Fortnite profits.
This is money raised from in-game sales beginning Sunday, when Fortnite's new season went live and millions snapped up its new battle pass.
Epic's effort has not gone unnoticed, either. Last night, Ukraine's vice prime minister thanked the Fortnite developer via Twitter. Mykhailo Fedorov also serves as the country's digital transformation minister, and previously called for PlayStation and Xbox to ditch sales in Russia.
Thank you @EpicGames for understanding that people's lives are not a game. Your support is crucially important for us. https://t.co/nDF2cE57to
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 22, 2022
Epic Games' $50m total will only rise further, with further Fortnite profits due to be included for another 10 days, until 3rd April.
BBC News cyber reporter Joe Tidy wrote this morning that the total was likely "the most of any private company in the world", and more than some countries.
Xbox has also chipped in by waiving its standard platform fees, meaning even more money going to humanitarian relief charities.
Fortnite's new season is distinctly war themed, with drivable tanks and other combat additions. It received an unusually muted launch with no prior marketing build-up.
The popular battle royale game has also removed its building mechanics as an experiment - at least for now.
