Fortnite Lowers V-Bucks Prices, Calls out Apple and Google's 'Exorbitant' Mobile Payment Fees

Epic Games has permanently lowered the cost of Fortnite V-Bucks by 20% across all platforms, including adding a new "direct payment" option on mobile, calling out Apple and Google's "exorbitant" payment fees in the process. The 'Fortnite Mega Drop' is explained in further detail in this FAQ from Epic. On PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mac, and PC, V-Bucks and real-money offers are automatically discounted by 20% - meaning 1,000 V-Bucks now cost $7.99, down from $9.99. Mobile is a little different, where players can still buy using Apple or Google accounts at the higher price, but will now offer 'Epic direct payment' when purchasing V-Bucks on mobile devices to save the 20%. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/23/fortnite-slurp-legends-trailer"] Epic explains that this allows the company to "pass along the savings to players," noting the "exorbitant 30% fee" Apple and Google collect on every V-Buck payment as a reason for the alternate, discounted payment method on mobile. In the future, Epic is open to altering the deal "if Apple and Google lower their fees on payments." Epic also made it clear that this direct payment method is just as safe as other alternatives. "In operating Fortnite on open platforms and operating the Epic Games Store, Epic has processed over $1,600,000,000 of direct payments successfully, and uses industry trusted encryption and security measures to protect customer transactions." In other Fortnite news, it looks like the game has initiated an event related to the Christopher Nolan movie Tenet. Last week, Fortnite received the Joy Ride update that brought drivable cars to the game. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.