Epic Games is rolling out a major update to Fortnite’s creator economy that will allow developers who build their own Fortnite Islands to sell in-game items directly to players. Starting in December, creators can design and sell digital items like consumables and durables within their islands. This is the first time Fortnite’s creator community can sell items directly instead of relying only on engagement rewards or secondary exposure, giving creators a clear way to earn from their work.
The financial setup is especially appealing in the first year. From December through the end of 2026, creators will keep 100% of the V-Bucks value from sales on their islands. V-Bucks value is calculated by converting real-money purchases into U.S. dollars, subtracting platform and store fees, and dividing by the total V-Bucks spent across Fortnite. Even with the full V-Bucks value, Epic notes that creators will receive about 74% of what players actually spend after fees. After 2026, payouts drop to 50% of V-Bucks value, which equals roughly 37% of real-money spending.
The update comes with changes to Fortnite’s engagement payouts. Starting November 1, creators who bring in new or returning players will receive 75% of the engagement payout for those players during their first six months on the island. Engagement metrics like minutes played, retention rates, and spending will now be tracked at the island level instead of across the entire game. This ensures rewards are more closely tied to each creator’s work and the content they produce.
Epic is also improving visibility for developers. A Sponsored Row in the Fortnite Discover menu will launch on November 24, allowing creators to bid for placement and show their islands to a wider audience. In the first year, all revenue from Sponsored Row placements will go into the engagement payout pool. After 2026, that share will drop to 50%, making early adoption especially valuable.
These updates show Epic’s efforts to grow Fortnite into a platform that can compete with Roblox, which already has a strong user-driven marketplace. By giving creators a larger share of revenue at the start, Epic is encouraging developers to adopt the system and earn from their creations. Discoverability and competition remain challenges, so creators will need to make items that players want and use tools like the Sponsored Row carefully.
For developers, the ability to sell items directly from their islands creates a more straightforward path to sustainable income. The first year offers the highest earnings potential, but long-term success depends on keeping players engaged and returning regularly. Creators who can combine appealing items with engaging island experiences are likely to do the best as Fortnite’s creator economy continues to grow.
Never played Fortnite, but this seems really cool!