Fortnite Adds Real-Money Lucky Wheel on Map

On one of the most popular user-created maps, Steal the Brainrot (over 1 million peak online players) in the video game Fortnite, a lucky wheel mechanic with in-game items was added, using V-Bucks purchased with real money, reports Beebom.

Lucky Wheel on the User Map

How the V-Bucks Mechanic Works

On the Steal the Brainrot map, players can use a lucky wheel that looks like a slot machine. One spin costs 100 V-Bucks (about $0.99), while three spins cost 200 V-Bucks (around $1.99).

Players also receive one free spin every 4 hours. Spins reward in-game items, which are only available within this user-created map.

Paid Items and In-Game Shop

Prices and Features of Items

In addition to the lucky wheel, the map features an in-game shop selling items costing up to 4,900 V-Bucks (about $36).

These items have a unique feature: other players can steal them, and the items are not permanent or usable in Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode.

Fortnite Players React

Criticism of the Random-Purchase System

After the paid random mechanics were introduced, players criticized the map on social media, calling the system a gambling mechanic and pointing out the high cost of items.

Players were especially unhappy that items bought with real money can be lost and depend entirely on the rules of the user-created mode.

The Role of Epic Games and the UEFN Update

Monetization of User-Created Maps

Epic Games previously allowed creators of user maps in Fortnite to earn 100% of purchases made with V-Bucks in their modes.

The UEFN update also officially added the mechanic of paid random items, allowing map creators to implement such monetization systems.

Temporary Map Shutdown

Bug and V-Bucks Refund

Soon after the update, the Steal the Brainrot map was temporarily removed from recommendations and went offline due to a technical bug.

The map developers announced that players who spent V-Bucks before the shutdown would receive a full refund. After a few hours, the map returned online without changes to the gameplay mechanics.