Fortnite now permits creators to promote in-game gadgets of their video games. And shortly, the platform’s hottest expertise, Steal the Brainrot, added a $45 premium merchandise bundle and a chance-based roulette wheel.
Steal the Brainrot is Fortnite’s largest third-party sport, reaching a peak of over 1 million concurrent customers over the weekend. These gamers had been among the many first to witness Steal the Brainrot’s new paid in-game choices, together with the 4,900 V-Buck “Current Rot” bundle containing two randomized gadgets.
Epic Video games enabled third-party microtransactions final Friday after beforehand asserting a shift in path to distinguish itself from rival gaming platform Roblox, the birthplace of Steal a Brainrot. Now, third-party video games can provide premium in-game gadgets and results, and builders pocket 37% of the income, briefly doubling to 74% over a 12-month interval, with Epic Video games itself taking the remaining lower.
Specific criticism of Steal the Brainrot has been leveled at its new roulette-style wheel, which lets you pay out 100 V-Bucks (about $1) for random in-game results and money. Likelihood-based outcomes for spinners embody a 2% probability of the Secret Fortunate Lotto or a 0.5% probability of the Secret Grande Lotto.
“This one replace fully erased why Fortnite was higher than Roblox,” one fan responded on social media. “You will not even be capable to implement customized weapons in two years, however you’ll be able to incorporate instruments to create looting!!”
“Just some years after Epic Video games was fined for placing loot packing containers within the unique Fortnite (‘Save the World’), we’re bringing again loot packing containers in Fortnite, the most well-liked mode by the day,” one other wrote.
I used to be optimistic in regards to the island translation, however after seeing this playing fashion wheel in Steal The Brainrot, I knew I used to be in good arms… pic.twitter.com/gMXjIOg1g4
β TheCoolDoggo (@thecooldoggo) January 11, 2026
Steal the Brainrot’s 4,900 V-Buck “Current Rot” bundle has additionally been criticized not just for its value, but in addition for being marketed as a limited-time low cost off the common 5,400 V-Buck. One of many constraints Epic Video games has positioned on third-party microtransactions is a 5,000 V-Buck cap on particular person gadgets. Because of this the financial savings on this merchandise is discounted from the worth at which it may truly be bought.
Fortnite third-party developer Richtoons mentioned, “I am very disenchanted within the guys at Mind Rot. Not solely is it extremely ethically questionable to supply a ‘low cost’ whereas the characteristic continues to be lower than 24 hours previous, however the guidelines make it inconceivable to even obtain the true prize.” “You make us all look dangerous with this sort of factor.”
Implementations by different builders aren’t as dangerous, with the favored Homicide Thriller sport merely permitting gamers to buy cosmetics that do not have an effect on gameplay, whereas Tilted Zone Wars permits customers to pay 50 V-Bucks (lower than $1) to permit all gamers to fill the sport’s map.
Precisely how builders will implement Epic Video games’ guidelines for monetization in the long run stays to be seen. Unusually, Steal the Brainrot all of the sudden disappeared offline for a number of hours final evening, main followers to invest that the sport may need been discontinued by Epic Video games over its use of monetization. Nevertheless, as of this writing, the sport is now obtainable once more, however reportedly with none noticeable adjustments.
Fortnite followers first raised considerations final 12 months that Epic Video games’ plans risked opening the door to loot field mechanics and predatory monetization inside the sport. videogameaddicted has reached out to the corporate for remark at present.
Tom Phillips is videogameaddicted’s information editor. You’ll be able to contact Tom at tom_phillips@videogameaddicted.com or discover him on Bluesky. @tomphillipseg.bsky.social