Fortnite enabled in-island microtransactions for Creative experiences earlier this month. Essentially, creators could put features on their islands that allowed players to spend V-Bucks on something that would help them in that game experience.
In almost immediate fashion, one island epitomized how this is likely to work moving forward, adding a bundle for a ton of V-Bucks and a roulette-style wheel that essentially functions as in-game gambling.
One day after Epic Games introduced the microtransactions feature to Fortnite, one popular island took the idea and ran with it. Steal the Brainrot is one of the most-played third-party experiences, and it took advantage of that.
Players could join the map and purchase a “Present Rot” bundle, which costs 4900 V-Bucks. If gamers purchase those and don’t already have them, it will cost $37 of real-life currency for a 5,000 V-Buck bundle; otherwise, they are more costly.
That is quite the cost for a microtransaction within a Creative map on Fortnite. Some entirely new video games do not even cost that much. Additionally, Steal the Brainrot implemented a new wheel that players can spin for 100 V-Bucks. It can grant in-game perks or cash to spend in the map.
Since then, according to VideoGamer, the island has been taken down. The map developer claimed it was a bug that led to the removal of the mode. Nevertheless, the timing is certainly curious.
Plenty of games have some version of gambling, and many games, such as the EA FC series, have been in hot water for their microtransaction-heavy business model. However, there’s only a random chance of getting a good card. Other sports games have that same system.
It’s also interesting to note that Fortnite has been criticized for influencing its younger audience to spend money. The FTC issued refunds to countless players who spent money on V-Bucks in the early days of the game.
Additionally, Epic was sued over loot boxes in Save the World. They were removed, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney saying at the time, “We realized that some players were repeatedly disappointed by not receiving the random items they hoped for. Players should know upfront what they are paying for when they make in-game purchases.”
It remains to be seen what the future of these microtransactions is. It’s worth mentioning that the entire thing is in its infancy. Epic Games may make changes to how they function at some point.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
