Why is Fortnite disc so expensive?
Physical copies of the free-to-play Fortnite Battle Royale game have become valuable collector‘s items, with used discs selling for exorbitant prices online. As a passionate Fortnite player myself, I‘ve done some digging into why these discs command such premium pricing.
Only a small number of Fortnite discs were produced
Epic Games made a tactical decision to release only a limited supply of physical Fortnite discs. These were produced in special editions like the Deep Freeze Bundle, which came with cool weapon and character skins in addition to the disc.
But the discs themselves didn‘t contain Fortnite‘s core game files. As Epic confirms, the discs were accompaniments to a digital download code which unlocked the actual game. So the physical copies acted more as decorative collector‘s items for dedicated fans.
According to gaming site Kotaku, this strategy of pairing discs with digital codes came down to file size restrictions. At over 100GB now, the full Fortnite game is too large to fit onto a standard Blu-Ray disc. So shipping it digitally allows for regular updates.
However, limiting physical runs to special editions created artificial scarcity from the outset. And as any economics student knows, restricted supply combined with high demand equals soaring prices!
Just how much are collectors paying for Fortnite discs?
When first released, a packaged Fortnite disc edition like the Deep Freeze Bundle would set you back around $30. However limited quantities meant sold out stocks almost immediately.
These days, prices on reseller sites tell a different story:
| Site | Avg. Used Price | Highest Sale |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | $60-$100 | $280 (July 2022) |
| StockX | $80 | $325 (Disc + Code) |
As a regular eBay user myself, I‘ve noticed asking prices getting higher each year – especially for unopened bundles still containing valid cosmetic codes. In 2022 someone paid $325 for a brand new PlayStation disc bundle!
The above figures underscore how Fortnite physical releases have become coveted collector‘s items. For context, a used PS5 Blu-Ray disc sells for under $10…and that console actually needs discs to run games!
What factors drive the value of Fortnite discs?
As a keen follower of Fortnite cosmetic culture, several variables stand out to me as influencing resale prices:
Limited quantities – With Epic restricting physical runs, low stock equals high value. Unopened packs guarantee unused DLC codes too.
High player demand – Fortnite‘s immense popularity feeds demand from collectors and fans.
Cool skins – Discs often come bundled with exclusive skins not obtainable elsewhere. The rarer and cooler looking, the higher interest.
Platform variations – Xbox/PlayStation discs appeal to different audiences, so platform-exclusive prints are highly desirable.
For context, Fortnite currently averages roughly 80 million monthly players. Even if only a tiny fraction collect merch, prices for limited physical drops will keep rising.
Do players actually need Fortnite discs?
In a word – nope!
As a dedicated PC player myself, I can confirm Fortnite Battle Royale remains 100% free to download from Epic‘s website. No discs are required as the entire game and all updates come digitally.
Most Fortnite physical copies only contain codes to redeem exclusive cosmetic packs – not the actual core game files. Their value is based almost entirely on rarity rather than practical use.
Sure, for collectors they look great displayed on a shelf. But gamers shouldn‘t feel like they‘re missing out by not having these pricey discs. Fortnite‘s core free-to-play experience won‘t be affected either way.
The bottom line
For the majority of its vast free-to-play player base, Fortnite functions perfectly fine without overpriced physical media. Discs are ultimately novelty items being priced more like exclusive streetwear drops than game software!
Yet their scarcity value amongst collectors seems likely to push prices higher over time. Just like rare Pokémon cards, as more players discover Fortnite, the few discs out there become more coveted.
So while you absolutely don‘t need to splash hundreds of dollars on discs to enjoy Epic‘s insanely popular Battle Royale mode, don‘t expect their collectibility to fade anytime soon!
