What you need to know
- Russia is currently invading Ukraine.
- Epic Games and Microsoft are working together to donate Fortnite profits in support of humanitarian relief for Ukraine.
- As of March 21, Epic Games and Microsoft have raised $36 million for Ukraine.
Russia is invading Ukraine, throwing the lives of millions into jeopardy. Numerous gaming companies have donated to relief efforts for civilians, with Epic Games and Microsoft now joining in donating Fortnite profits in support of Ukraine.
Epic Games recently announced that the company would be donating all Fortnite profits through April 3, 2022. Epic is also being joined in this effort by Microsoft, meaning that the latter publisher is donating its cut of Fortnite profits earned across the Xbox ecosystem. All "real-money" purchases within Fortnite qualify for donations, including V-Buck packs, Fortnite Crew, gifted Battle Passes, and cosmetic packs.
Epic Games notes that as the money comes in, transactions are being logged and sent to relief organizations "within days" of arrival. The money is being donated to help Ukrainian civilians via Direct Relief, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations World Programme (UNWEP) and the United Nation Refugee Agency. Epic Games shared via Twitter on March 21 that these donations have already reached $36 million.
This news comes as numerous gaming companies have stopped doing business in Russia and Belarus, with companies like Microsoft and Sony ceasing shipments of Xbox and PlayStation consoles. The PlayStation Store is also no longer accessible in Russia, and sales of new games such as Gran Turismo 7 have halted for the time being.
The war is also naturally impacting game development in the region, with Ukrainian game developer GSC Game World halting work on Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl until the war is over.
