Epic’s battle royal game is free. And, with its stunningly high Fortnite player numbers in mind, Epic has to make money from it somehow.

The answer is Fortnite V-Bucks, a virtual currency with which you can acquire a handsome collection of colorful cosmetics in exchange for real money. You can’t, however, spend your digital dollars on anything that will give you a competitive advantage. These items are purely for fashion purposes, which is an end unto itself in our book.

You can also use your Fortnite V-Bucks to grab yourself a Battle Pass, a tiered system within each season in which you can unlock challenges to win yourself more cosmetic stash. The Battle Pass costs 950 V-Bucks and, in the item store, outfits and emotes tend to cost between 1500 and 500; legendries cost 2000. Fortnite V-Bucks are now on sale permanently, with V-Bucks now discounted at 20% off across all platforms.

Follow these steps:

• Go to www.epicgames.com/fortnite and login to your Epic Games account.

• Hover over your name in the top right corner, and then click Fortnite.com/vbukscard.

• Click Get Started to begin the redemption process.

• Scratch off the back of your Fortnite.com/vbukscard and enter your PIN code.

• Click Next.

FORTNITE V-BUCKS: HOW TO BUY V-BUCKS

If you don’t have the time to earn cosmetics through play, or you have found a pickaxe skin that simply has to be paired with your favourite outfit, then you can always just buy Fortnite.com/vbukscard. The easiest way to do that is in the pre-match menus; just navigate to the top right of the window once you are in the lobby. The number next to the coin icon with a ‘V’ on it indicates the current state of your V-Bucks wallet. Clicking on that is one way to get to the V-Bucks payment screen.

Equally, you can click on the Battle Pass tab in the pre-match menu which gives you more information on what you can get if you purchase one. If you do buy one this is the place to pay to unlock further tiers, too. You can also click on the ‘Item Shop’ tab to browse the featured cosmetics that are for sale. Clicking on them will allow you a closer look at each piece of loot and an option to ‘Get V-Bucks’ by selecting the flashing yellow button.

FORTNITE V-BUCKS:Buy V-Bucks easily with a Fortnite Gift Card

Get Fortnite.com/vbukscard for any Fortnite platform easily with a gift card. It’s the perfect solution for anyone who wants to purchase in-game content, without linking a credit card to the game (looking at you, responsible adults!). Simply buy this V-Bucks Card at Dundle (US), receive the code instantly via email and redeem it directly on an Epic Games account. That’s it! Within seconds, get enough prepaid credit to spend on new outfits, pickaxes, and even Battle Passes. All the fun, without worrying about overspending, unexpected or recurring costs!

Every Fortnite player automatically has an Epic Game account. All you need to do, is link your platform of choice to it. Then redeem the V-Bucks code to whichever platform you prefer (depending on your location).