Epic and Xbox commit Fortnite proceeds to Ukraine for 2 weeks – and raise $36 million in 1 day
UPDATE: $144 million was raised
Epic Games has committed to donating “all its Fortnite proceeds” to Ukraine humanitarian relief efforts for a two-week period ending on April 3.
It has been joined by Xbox, which will also donate its “net proceeds” from Fortnite during this time.
The money is going to four humanitarian relief organisations – Direct Relief, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations World Food Programme, and the United Nations Refugee Agency.
Just one day after announcing the donation plan, Epic said $36 million had been raised to support people affected by the war in Ukraine.
UPDATE 04/04/22: $144 million was raised during the two-week charity drive.
ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES: The UN Refugee Agency estimates that three million people have fled to neighbouring countries since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Many games companies have made significant donations to the humanitarian relief effort in Ukraine including Square Enix, Embracer Group, 11 bit studios, Bandai Namco, CD Projekt Red, Supercell, Ubisoft, Unity and The Pokémon Company.
Indie developers from across the world have also contributed games to a large bundle designed to raise money for Ukraine. The Bundle for Ukraine is available on itch.io and contains 991 items. Players who make a minimum donation of $10 will get everything, DRM-free. It has raised over $6 million to date.
Further reading
Fortnite has removed building from its main mode for the new season
And Humble Bundle’s $40 ‘Stand with Ukraine’ Bundle has raised over $10 million for charity so far. The 123-piece bundle is available until Friday.
Many companies, including platform holders Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft, have suspended sales of their products in Russia.
To mark the start of Fortnite Chapter 2 – Season 3, the game has removed building from its default mode for nine days.
