Fortnite's newest season has just begun with a theme of resistance parallel to the real-life conflict unfolding in Ukraine. In response, Epic Games announced that the first two weeks of the second season of Chapter Three will be donating profits to humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
The season started on March 20. In a tweet from its official Fortnite account, Epic announced that as of March 21, it has also generated over $36 million in revenue from Fortnite in-game sales.
In the tweet, Epic lists charities to which proceeds will be donated, including UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the UN Refugee Agency and Direct Aid. These organizations will use the money to provide supplies, food and shelter to the many people displaced by the war.
This is probably the biggest contribution a gaming company has ever made to the Ukrainian people, and it will continue to rise over the next two weeks. The only other upcoming donation was the itch.io package, which exceeded $6 million and continues to grow. Crowdfunded donations seem to be an important way for companies to raise money for a good cause.
Xbox announced in a tweet yesterday morning that it will be partnering with Fortnite to donate all profits from the game over the next two weeks to Ukrainian charity. But it's unclear how much of Xbox's contribution was part of the $36 million raised yesterday.
According to Epic's FAQ, purchases that count towards helping the people of Ukraine include all real money spent in the app. This includes purchasing “V-Bucks, Fortnite Crew, skill Battle Passes and packs”. Additionally, retail purchases made outside of the game can go to Ukraine aid if used within the two-week fundraising period.
This comes after Epic ended all trading in Russia earlier this month. Although Epic does not block social features, it does not allow the sale of any products on the Epic Games Store in Russia, including Fortnite.
Epic's fundraising effort is the latest in the gaming company's attempts to raise or provide funds to Ukraine's displaced people. If Fortnite raised $36 million for Ukraine in one day, many fans will be wondering about the total that was collected at the end of the fundraising period on April 3.
Kaynak
