Fortnite’s New Epic Rewards Program: Get 20% Back, Ditch the App Store Fees
Fortnite players, rejoice! Epic Games is rolling out a new Epic Rewards program, offering a generous 20% cash back on in-app purchases. But there's a catch: you need to use Epic's own payment system, bypassing the fees imposed by platforms like Apple's App Store and Google Play. This move comes after a favorable legal ruling for Epic, compelling Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods.
This incentive isn't just for Fortnite. It extends to other popular titles like Rocket League and Fall Guys, making it a great deal for players across the Epic ecosystem. The 20% reward applies to purchases made on PC, Android, and the web, not just iOS. The Epic Rewards balance arrives 14 days after your purchase, ready to be redeemed within the games or on the Epic Games Store.
The timing couldn't be better. Fortnite is poised to return to the App Store after being banned in 2020 for circumventing Apple's commission fees. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has indicated they are working diligently for a release. With the new ruling, Apple can no longer prevent developers from recommending alternative purchase methods or claim commission from those purchases--previously a hefty 27%.
However, console players on PlayStation, Xbox, or Switch won't see the option to pay Epic directly when purchasing V-Bucks on their consoles. But they can still access the Fortnite web shop to snag the 20% cash back.
For PC gamers who use the Epic Games Store, a similar 20% cash back incentive is available on all purchases, but this offer is for a limited time and ends on August 31st.
This isn't just a short-term promotion; Epic has stated that the Epic Rewards scheme is “here to stay,” offering ongoing value to players who choose to use their payment system. This is a clear strategy to foster loyalty and keep players within the Epic Games ecosystem.
The judge in the legal battle between Epic and Apple explicitly scolded Apple, noting they said it knew what it was doing and “at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option” by charging a 27 percent commission on external payments and showing "scare screens" discouraging users from using third-party payment systems due to decreased privacy and security.
Will this new rewards program sway players to bypass the App Store and Google Play? It will be interesting to see if this move significantly impacts Apple's revenue and how other developers respond. Share your thoughts in the comments below! Will you be switching to Epic's payment system to take advantage of the 20% cash back?
