Epic Gameshas just released a new version of Fortnite, anticipating that until April 3, all money spent by users within it will go to humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Yesterday, the company announced that it had collected 36 million dollars, targeting various groups in support of the Kiev cause, including Direct Relief, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Food Program.
Fortnite: fundraising for Ukraine
The figure in question, which is nothing short of impressive, comes from the purchase, by the players, of in-app objects and services, that is, for sale within the game, given that the download of Fortnite is free on all platforms where it is present. In short, the classic microtransactions, which this time served a greater purpose.
Among the packages most purchased by users there is, without too many surprises, the new one Battle Pass, useful for obtaining exclusive characters and contents, including clothes, accessories and weapons. The current season of Fortnite is called ‘Resistance‘, a name that has long been decided and unrelated to any reference to the war in progress, but which definitely makes you smile bitterly, given the context.
The platform too Itch.iowhich hosts and distributes independent and unreleased titles by the majors, has raised more than $ 6 million so far, while the digital showcase Humble Bundle it is promoting aid through the “Stand with Ukraine” operation, which has saved 11 million dollars.
“The violent and illegal invasion of Ukraine is displacing people, devastating families and creating an urgent need for food, water, supplies, shelter and security,” the Humble Bundle note reads. “To help as we can, we have joined forces with game developers, book publishers and software producers around the world to propose a package whose purchase will be 100% donated to the victims and refugees of the crisis.”