Fortnite has entered a new chapter in its digital economy at the beginning of 2026. With the update on Friday, January 9th, Epic Games has officially launched transactions within user-created islands, a system that allows developers to sell specific items directly for V-Bucks. This change, which brings the game closer to models already known on platforms like Roblox and Minecraft, is significant because it redefines how creators can monetize their maps and, at the same time, requires extra caution from players. This is because purchased items are restricted to their island of origin and, in most cases, purchases are considered final.
How it works is relatively simple: while playing on a community-made Fortnite Island, you can now find options to purchase everything from persistent items, which last across multiple sessions, to limited-use consumables or objects with gameplay effects, like speed boots or jetpacks. Furthermore, creators can sell custom passes, progression systems, and even specific areas within the experience. However, caution is needed, as purely cosmetic items, like outfits or cars, are not available for sale unless they have some practical functionality within the island.
Rules, Incentives, and the Refund Warning
To encourage adoption, Epic offers a major benefit to creators: until January 31st, 2027, they keep 100% of the V-Bucks value from each transaction. After that date, the rate drops to 50%, an important detail for those planning to invest time in creation. The company also allows, with caveats, mechanics considered pay-to-win, whether to increase power, progression rate, or abilities, as long as everything is clearly signaled to the player. Random items, in the gacha style, are also permitted, but must clearly display the percentage chance of each reward and can be blocked by parental controls.
The refund policy, however, is a point that deserves attention. Epic considers all purchases final, so it’s essential to review the offer carefully before clicking. A refund is only possible in a very specific scenario: if an island is removed or unpublished by Epic and remains unavailable for 14 consecutive days, players can request a refund for the amount spent on purchases made up to 20 days before its disappearance. Therefore, spending V-Bucks on an island from a smaller or unknown creator can be a risk, as the experience might vanish without warning.
A New World (and New Expenses) Within the Battle Royale
This new feature solidifies Fortnite not just as a game, but as a platform for entertainment and creation. Meanwhile, for the Brazilian player, a new layer of decisions emerges: is it worth investing V-Bucks (which can be purchased with Brazilian Reais) in an item that only works on a specific map? The answer depends on your involvement with the creation scene. If you or your family love exploring these alternative experiences, keep an eye on your budget. The advice is simple: have fun with the new possibilities, but control your spending, because you might be buying something that, literally, disappears from the map.
