A Major Change to Fortnite’s Battle Pass: More Accessible Exclusive Items
Fortnite, the popular free-to-play online video game, is making a major change to its Battle Pass. In a statement on the game’s official website, Epic Games announced that items from future Battle Passes may be available for purchase in the Fortnite Shop after 18 or more months from the Battle Pass’ expiration. This means that previously exclusive items like Emotes, Pickaxes, Back Blings, Wraps, Loading Screens, and Outfits (skins) may be accessible to players who missed out on the Battle Pass they were a part of.
While Fortnite is free to play, the game monetizes through the sale of in-game items, including skins. These items do not provide players with any advantage in the game, but players have spent billions of dollars each year to play as their favorite characters from popular media properties like Marvel and Star Wars. Some of these items can only be unlocked through the Battle Pass, which is available for purchase each season.
In the past, if a player didn’t earn enough XP to unlock certain items before the Battle Pass ended, they would permanently lose access to those items. This meant that new players would miss out on character skins from previous Battle Pass seasons. Epic Games recognized that this exclusivity was a major factor in players’ dissatisfaction and decided to make a change.
The company’s statement explains that the decision to make Battle Pass items available in the shop is to allow players to enjoy content based on popular licensed characters down the road. While there is no guarantee that all Battle Pass items will make their way to the shop, IP content from future Battle Passes may become available at least 18 months after the Battle Pass expires.
It’s unclear if this change will apply retroactively to previous Battle Pass outfits and items. Epic Games has not provided additional information on this matter. However, going forward, some Battle Pass items will no longer be exclusive. The Battle Pass rewards will still guarantee access to these items, but players will now have the option to purchase them separately from the shop.
Fortnite remains a massively popular game with millions of active players. The number of players fluctuates with each season’s offerings, and this change may appeal to new players who were previously discouraged by the exclusivity of certain items. The lower price point of 950 V-Bucks for the Battle Pass aims to make it more accessible for players to unlock all the items.
In conclusion, Epic Games’ decision to make Battle Pass items available in the shop after a certain period of time provides players with another chance to obtain exclusive items they may have missed out on. This change opens up opportunities for players to enjoy content based on licensed characters and makes the Battle Pass more appealing to new players. Fortnite continues to evolve and adapt, ensuring that players have a rewarding and engaging experience in the game.
