Fortnite generated over $20 billion in lifetime revenue, according to its co-creator Donald Mustard

Even after the start of its troubles with mobile app stores and legal battles with Apple and Google, Fortnite remains one of the highest-grossing games globally. Here is how much money Epic Games’ biggest hit has generated to date.

Information about Fortnie’s lifetime revenue appeared in Donald Mustard’s new profile on AGBO’s website (spotted by TweakTown).

“Donald’s direction and guidance built Fortnite into a cultural phenomenon that currently boasts over 650 million players with over 20 billion dollars in revenue,” the description reads. “Fortnite has more than 250 million average monthly players as of 2023 and 25 million players use Fortnite daily.”

Mustard joined AGBO, a production company founded by Avengers directors Anthony and Joe Russo, earlier this week. His role is described as “partner”, so given his vast game development experience, he will likely help AGBO fulfill its gaming ambitions.

Donald Mustard’s credits include games like Advent Rising, Shadow Complex, and the Infinity Blade series. In 2008, his studio ChAIR Entertainment Group was acquired by Epic Games, and he has been serving as the company’s chief creative officer since 2016.

During his time at Epic, he gained recognition as one of the creators and masterminds behind Fortnite. So the $20 billion figure listed in his profile description is likely quite accurate.

As TweakTown pointed out, Fortnite generated over $12.8 billion across all platforms between 2017 and 2020. According to data disclosed during the Epic v. Apple trial, PS4 was the top platform by in-app purchase revenue during that period with over $6 billion, followed by Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Given the newly revealed $20 billion milestone, Fortnite has probably made nearly $7.2 billion since 2020 (though it is unclear whether Mustard’s data includes 2023).

Mustard left Epic Games in September, saying that he is “especially proud of the opportunity I’ve had to help create and shape Fortnite.” He also thanked the company’s CEO Tim Sweeny and the rest of the team.

Shortly after, Epic Games laid off over 800 people, or 16% of its total workforce, as part of its cost-cutting initiative. However, Sweenely explained that the layoffs affected only 3% of the core engineering team, but more than 30% of the business, sales, and marketing roles.

The move won’t have a big negative impact on Fortnite, which remains the company’s top revenue driver. But Sweeney believes that the layoffs were necessary to solve the financial issues and turn Epic Games into a “leading metaverse company.”