Epic Games is changing how much V-Bucks you get for your money in Fortnite, saying “the cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot” and that it’s raising prices “to help pay the bills.” Starting March 19, 2026, V-Bucks bundle dollar prices stay the same, but most packs will grant fewer V-Bucks, meaning players effectively pay more per V-Buck across the board.
To soften the impact, Epic is also lowering the V-Bucks price of several passes—including the main Battle Pass—and adjusting Fortnite Crew monthly V-Bucks. The changes affect Fortnite’s monetization across its ecosystem on platforms including PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS (platforms listed by Eurogamer).
What’s changing on March 19: V-Bucks packs give you less currency
Epic’s core change is straightforward: the real-money price of V-Bucks packs remains the same, but the V-Bucks amount inside those packs is reduced. That’s a value cut for anyone buying currency for skins, emotes, and other cosmetics.
Here’s the breakdown of the V-Bucks pack changes as reported (USD pricing shown):
- $8.99 pack: 800 V-Bucks (previously 1,000)
- $22.99 pack: 2,400 V-Bucks (previously 2,800)
- $36.99 pack: 4,500 V-Bucks (previously 5,000)
- $89.99 pack: 12,500 V-Bucks (previously 13,500)
Epic is also changing the “exact amount” option (buying V-Bucks in 50 V-Bucks increments). Push Square reports it shifting from ~$0.50 for 50 V-Bucks to $0.90 for 50 V-Bucks, while Eurogamer and Kotaku describe it as $0.99 for 50 V-Bucks (up from roughly $0.49–$0.50). Either way, the direction is clear: the smallest top-up option is getting significantly more expensive.
Epic’s stated reason, repeated across coverage, is blunt: “The cost of running Fortnite has gone up a lot and we’re raising prices to help pay the bills.” The change lands March 19, 2026.
What this means in practice for skins and bundles
Because store items are priced in V-Bucks, fewer V-Bucks per purchase means some cosmetics may no longer “line up” neatly with a single bundle purchase the way they used to. PCGamesN notes that if an item costs more than what a single pack now provides, players may need to buy an additional pack (or a larger one) to make up the difference—unless they already have spare V-Bucks on their account.
Epic has not (so far) announced any broad adjustment to the V-Bucks prices of individual cosmetics and bundles in the Item Shop, at least based on the reporting included .
Battle Pass and other passes are getting cheaper in V-Bucks (but rewards are changing)
Alongside the V-Bucks value cuts, Epic is lowering the V-Bucks cost of multiple passes. The headline change: the main Battle Pass drops from 1,000 V-Bucks to 800 V-Bucks.
However, the reward structure is changing too. Multiple outlets report that while you can still earn enough V-Bucks to buy the next pass if you complete it, the extra “bonus” V-Bucks are being removed.
Key pass changes reported:
- Battle Pass: 800 V-Bucks (was 1,000)
- PCGamesN reports it will “award 800 V-Bucks for completing it,” whereas previously you could earn 1,000 V-Bucks plus 500 in the Bonus Rewards.
- Push Square and Kotaku similarly report the Bonus Rewards V-Bucks are being removed, and Push Square says there are “no longer any additional V-Bucks in the Bonus Rewards part.”
- OG Pass: 800 V-Bucks (was 1,000)
- PCGamesN says this reduction starts from “the next one that gets released.”
- LEGO Pass: 1,200 V-Bucks (was 1,400)
- Music Pass / Fortnite Festival pass: 1,200 V-Bucks (was 1,400)
PC Gamer and TheGamer also report a change to the Battle Bundle (Battle Pass plus 25 levels), dropping from 2,800 to 2,600 V-Bucks.
The net effect is a bit of a trade: passes cost fewer V-Bucks up front, but at least for the main Battle Pass, the total V-Bucks you can earn through completion is being reduced compared to the prior structure that included additional bonus currency.
Fortnite Crew monthly V-Bucks are being reduced
Epic is also adjusting Fortnite Crew, the paid subscription that includes monthly rewards and bonuses.
Starting March 19:
- Fortnite Crew monthly V-Bucks: 800 V-Bucks (was 1,000)
This is reported by Push Square, PCGamesN, and Kotaku. PCGamesN frames it as still being enough to cover a standard Battle Pass (now 800) or OG Pass (also 800), but it’s still a reduction in the raw currency grant.
Epic Rewards: 20% back through Epic’s payment rails (as reported)
Eurogamer and GameSpot both highlight an incentive Epic is emphasizing: Epic Rewards members can receive 20% back on purchases made through the Epic Games Store, including spending on premium currencies for Fortnite, Rocket League, and Fall Guys.
GameSpot specifies the 20% back applies when purchases are made through the Epic Games Store or Epic’s own payment system on PC, iOS, and Android.
Gift cards: existing physical V-Bucks cards keep their printed value
One practical detail for players who buy currency at retail: Eurogamer and Kotaku report that physical V-Bucks gift cards currently being sold will redeem for their original printed amount. The changes apply to new cards as they’re printed and distributed, rather than retroactively altering existing stock.
Why Epic says it’s doing this—and why the messaging is drawing attention
Epic’s explanation is unusually direct for a price/value change: it says operating costs have increased and it needs help “pay[ing] the bills.” Several outlets note the phrasing because it’s not the typical corporate language of “market conditions.”
Some coverage also juxtaposes the announcement with reported revenue figures. Eurogamer says Epic “reportedly made $6.21 billion in gross revenue last year,” while TheGamer cites Statista data claiming Epic made $6.01 billion in 2025. (These are outlet-reported figures; details have not been include Epic’s own financial statement or a direct primary-source citation beyond what those sites describe.)
Kotaku also points to the broader context of Epic’s recent legal wins around app stores and payment systems (as described in its report), arguing that some players might have expected prices to move in the other direction—though Epic’s announcement does not indicate that.
What Remains Unknown
- Regional pricing and pack values outside USD. Eurogamer notes regional prices and changes “might be different,” but the available reporting only provides USD examples.
- Whether Item Shop cosmetic prices will be rebalanced. PCGamesN explicitly notes Epic hasn’t commented on adjusting the V-Bucks prices of skins or bundles.
- Full details and eligibility for the 20% Epic Rewards cashback. The available reporting summarizes the offer, but doesn’t include complete terms, regions, or exclusions.
- A detailed cost breakdown. Epic’s stated reason is that costs have “gone up a lot,” but no specific expense categories or figures are provided in the included reporting.
Epic’s March 19 shift is a significant monetization update for Fortnite: V-Bucks packs effectively become more expensive, while passes become cheaper in V-Bucks but with reduced bonus currency in at least the main Battle Pass structure. For players, the immediate question is how often future Item Shop pricing will force extra top-ups—and whether Epic will make further adjustments once the new V-Bucks economy settles in.
