Players of Fortnite are upset with Epic Games as previously thought “exclusive” rewards through Battle Pass begin to show up in the in-game store. The Battle Royale section of Fortnite is completely free to play and has been since its release in 2017. Fortnite has proven to have lasting power that few games can capture. One of the ways the developer Epic Games has been able to keep the game fresh is by constantly changing the gigantic map and listening to their fans. The “building” aspect in Fortnite is unique in Battle Royale games and keep the skill ceiling pretty high. Players are always finding reasons to go back. It’s also one of the most popular games to watch on Twitch.
Another way that Epic Games keeps fan coming back is through the popular Battle Pass. This is also the main reason Epic Games is able to monetize the free-to-play Battle Royale. A Battle Pass costs $9.99 for a “season” and opens up new challenges (such as get three kills in Loot Lake) and rewards (special characters and skins that are only available in that specific season). Seasons only last 10 weeks and when they’re done, they’re done. There are rewards that can be bought or earned, but there are some that must be earned within the season. When a season ends, the specific rewards for that season are supposed to gone forever, but that appears to be changing.
As reported by Eurogamer, a character and skin from Season 5 called Summer Drift has popped up in Fortnite’s in-game store, surprising (and angering) many players. Summer Drift is currently on sale for 1500 V-Bucks, which translates to about $15. Some players are excited for the chance to buy Summer Drift when they may have previously missed out, but others are upset about the loss of exclusivity. Fortnite’s own explanation of the Battle Pass does say that the rewards of the specific season will not be available for purchase once the season is over. Epic Games seems to breaking its own rules.
Two sides have broken out on Fortnite’s popular subreddit. Some players feel that it’s Epic Games’ right to sell whatever it creates whenever it wants. These are generally the players that are happy to collect the skins they missed in previous seasons. However, the majority of players seem to be on the other side of this fight. Some are upset with the loss of bragging rights, as a few of these characters and skins were quite difficult to earn. Others feel ripped off because the reward aspect of the Battle Pass is the main reason they paid for it in the first place. They claim that if they knew these “exclusives” would eventually go on sale, they would have thought twice about buying the Pass.
Both sides have sympathetic positions. Summer Drift costs almost twice as much as a regular Battle Pass, which does give the purchaser more of an incentive to buy the season’s challenges rather than the rewards, outright. Still, Epic Games’ own disclaimer did promise that the rewards would remain exclusive, and most players agree that it should stay that way. Regardless of where Epic Games ends up on the issue, it’s safe to say that Fortnite isn’t going anywhere.
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Source: Eurogamer
