Fortnite changes focus and challenges Roblox with creator economy

In a turbulent time for its main mode, the battle royale, Epic Games is doubling down on a new business model for Fortnite. The company announced that it will allow creators to sell items within their projects and receive a significantly larger share of the revenue than the current market model of competitors like Roblox.

The decision by Epic Games comes at a challenging time. Fortnite Battle Royale, the mode that solidified the game's fame, has seen a decrease in the number of players over the summer. In contrast, Roblox's player base has grown, driven by viral creations. This shift in priority is a recognition that the future of Fortnite may no longer lie solely in its core mode. The move also reflects a financial need, as Epic itself admits to operating at a loss.

"In recent years, Epic has invested and operated the business at a loss."

The response from Epic is an aggressive strategy to attract creators. In an official post, the company detailed that creators will receive a slice of 50% of the value in V-Bucks from purchases made in third-party experiences, after store fees. In the first year, until December 31, 2026, this percentage will be 100%. After deducting platform fees, this translates to a revenue share of 37% for creators, which can reach 74% in the first year. In comparison, Epic points out that Roblox only offers 25%.

The new monetization model doesn't stop there. Epic Games has also introduced a system to reward creators who attract new or returning players. Additionally, the main screen Discover will have a new "sponsored" block, where creators can pay for featuring. The revenue from this block will be used for creator engagement payments, with 100% of the revenue in the first year, decreasing to 50% afterwards, with the other half being used for server costs and research and development.

The shift in priority is also technical. Epic announced the release of a "thin client" for mobile and PC, a reduced version of Fortnite that includes only the popular mode Blitz Royale and community-created games. Other modes, including the main battle royale, will require additional downloads. The measure aims to facilitate access to viral trends and is a clear sign that Fortnite sees itself as a platform, rather than just a game.

Fortnite is undergoing its most radical transformation, shifting from a game focused on its own content to an ecosystem of third-party creations. Epic Games's new approach, with financial and technical incentives, poses a direct challenge to Roblox and a move that could define the future of the platform.