Fortnite : Coming To Store Shelves for $30?

Better Late Then Never

"Eww, why would Epic put their product in a dying market," said your friend who laughs at you for still buying physical copies of games. Well, you can tell your friend that the demand for physical games may have shrunk, but brick and mortar stores still hold a piece of the gaming market place. But before we go into that, let's discuss exactly what it means for Fortnite to hit store shelves.

Honestly, it doesn't mean much. It's not like the game is now $30 and anyone who wants to play has to pay up, no. The $30 dollar price tag is for a v-buck and exclusive winter gear bundle, which includes 1,000 v-bucks, Frostbite Outfit, Cold Front Glider, Chill-Axe Pickaxe, and Freezing Point Back Bling. Also, if you buy the Xbox One version, it comes with a CD, while the PS4 and Switch versions both come with a code. Now, I know what you're thinking, 'This is just like any other bundle Epic will try and sell,' and you're exactly right. In fact, this bundle will also be available digitally to those who already own the free-to-play game. So why even put the product on store shelves if it's already digitally available to those who downloaded it?

Well, similar to the mentality behind their game, they want to make sure that everyone has access to their in-game purchases. Better yet, with the holiday season coming up, they want to make sure that they have the perfect gift for people to give their Fortnite fans in the family. After all, giving a someone a physical box to unwrap is much better then giving him numbers to your credit card so he can get the Deep Freeze bundle.

What Does This Mean?

So if a company like Epic Studios is releasing physical media to put it on store shelves, then what does that say about the market place, and the survival of brick and mortar stores? It says a lot actually, just think about it, this is a game that has been digital from the start, and has proved to be immensely successful. The game is free so everyone has access to it and they're able to chose whether or not they want to put money into it for in-game accessories. But Epic knows that although their game is one of the most accessible, being available on any platform, there is still a spot they're absent. A spot that might not hurt them usually, but can be a lost opportunity during the holidays.

The fact is, although nearly everyone has heard of Fortnite by now that doesn't mean everyone knows or cares that much about it. So, when your Uncle, Grandmother, Mom, or Dad try to find a gift for you they'll probably go to Gamestop, or the nearest gaming store, and drop the name Fortnite. But instead of the sales person telling them that it's a free digital game so all they have is a tee shirt, they will instead have the perfect product to push to those buyers.

And for those who are fans of the classic brick and mortar gaming store, whether it be the ability to chat with like minded people, play demos, or just browse, this is good news. This shows that one of the biggest digital games studio still sees value in the classic process of purchasing a game. It also proves that there is still a market out there no matter how small or loyal. And for now, it's one of the best ways to get your last minute gift under the tree.



But what do you think? Are the holidays not enough to sustain such a business, or is this one o many sign that physical games will always have a place for consumers.