‘Fortnite’ creator raked in a $3B profit in 2018

The hottest — and according to some critics the most addictive — video game in the world is raking in billions.

“Fortnite” — a battle royale that pits players against each other in a “Hunger Games”-style fight to the death — claimed $3 billion in profits this year, according to the news site TechCrunch, citing sources at the game’s creator, Epic Games.

The game is available for free on smartphones, desktop PCs and video game consoles alike. Since its fall 2017 release, the game has drawn in more than 200 million loyal players — from school-age kids to famous NBA players and other celebrities.

Epic Games has turned “Fortnite” into a cash cow by selling digital trinkets to players once they’re immersed. They can pay to purchase new skins and outfits for their characters as well as shelling out dough for in-game weapons and celebration dances.

The game encourages players to purchase a 10-week “Battle Pass” for $10, which allows them to unlock exclusive in-game gear if they keep playing and beat certain challenges.

According to a November study from app data firm Sensor Tower, iPhone users alone were spending $1.23 million every day on purchases in the “Fortnite” universe — nearly $40 million a month.

The success of “Fortnite” saw privately held Epic amass a $15 billion valuation in September.