Fortnite players have recently been buzzing with memes highlighting their concerns over the steep prices of the latest Kicks, suggesting a worrisome trend for the in-game marketplace. Over the past couple of years, Fortnite developers have been diligently crafting new content to keep players engaged, all while maintaining a consistent release schedule. Alongside fan favorites like Skins and Jam Tracks, the newly introduced Kicks have now made their debut in the game’s shop. However, these could merely be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fresh additions to the in-game store.
With the launch of numerous new items, Fortnite has also reconfigured how players can earn V-Bucks, much to the chagrin of many fans. Since making it more challenging to earn V-Bucks in 2023, and with price hikes affecting several countries, a segment of the player base is feeling squeezed. It seems like costs are rising across the board while the perceived value dwindles, and the introduction of Kicks might just be the latest example of this troubling trend.
Recently, a Fortnite player under the username THE-IMPOSSIBLEreddit took to the FortniteBR subreddit to share a meme reflecting growing unease over the pricing of Fortnite’s new cosmetics. This particular meme forecasts that within five years, virtual clothing items—like gloves and hats—could cost between 850 and 2,000 V-Bucks. It’s a sentiment that’s resonating with many in the community, who fear an ongoing escalation in prices for all content, as the developers possibly eye ways to capitalize on new virtual attire.
While there’s excitement among certain Fortnite enthusiasts about the broader range of equippable cosmetics, there’s a notable faction worried about what these could represent for the game’s future. Historically, players have relished Fortnite’s offerings of skins, emotes, and the occasional vehicular treat. Now, the introduction of Kicks—a new cosmetic item priced between 600 and 1,000 V-Bucks depending on its value—fuels fear that more easily recognizable, and hence costlier, digital apparel could be on the horizon.
Fortnite’s selection of skins varies greatly in design and rarity, and despite the fluctuation in prices, players have mostly come to accept this variability due to the appeal of more distinguished looks. However, the current sentiment among many fans, fueled by the memes, is that Kicks are overly pricey for what they offer. For now, the community’s enthusiasm for new cosmetics seems to be dwindling unless there’s a shift in this pricing approach.
