Fortnite Crew Included in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: What Changes for You

Fortnite Crew is being folded into the reworked Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as a built‑in perk — starting November 18, 2025 — and that single change rewrites the value equation for both Fortnite players and Game Pass subscribers. What was a straightforward $11.99 monthly add‑on from Epic Games is now a headline benefit in Microsoft’s freshly upgraded Ultimate tier, which bundles a wider game library, improved cloud streaming, and partner perks into a pricier package. This feature explains exactly what Fortnite Crew gives you, how Microsoft’s decision changes the math, and which players should keep an independent Crew subscription versus upgrading to the new Ultimate.

Background / Overview​

Fortnite Crew launched as Epic’s premium monthly subscription for Fortnite players: an exclusive monthly cosmetic pack, the season’s Battle Pass, a monthly allowance of V‑Bucks, and a handful of extra passes (LEGO Pass, Music Pass, OG Pass) and third‑party bonuses like Rocket League’s Rocket Pass Premium. Epic’s official support and storefront pages list those benefits as the membership’s core offering.
On October 1, 2025 Microsoft announced a substantial rework of Game Pass — renaming tiers to Essential, Premium, and Ultimate and raising Ultimate’s monthly price while also adding partner perks — specifically calling out that Fortnite Crew will be included in Ultimate beginning November 18, 2025. The company positioned the move as part of a broader package of improvements that also extend cloud quality and expand day‑one releases, but the price change for Ultimate (to $29.99/month in the U.S.) is material and central to the user decision. Independent reporting corroborates the pricing and the inclusion of Fortnite Crew in Ultimate.

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What exactly is Fortnite Crew?​

Fortnite Crew is a recurring monthly subscription Epic sells directly through its platforms and through console storefronts. The membership bundles several discrete benefits that are delivered each month while your subscription is active:

• A monthly Crew Pack (an exclusive Outfit + at least one matching accessory you keep forever).
• The current season’s Fortnite Battle Pass (and access to future Battle Passes for as long as the subscription remains active).
• 1,000 V‑Bucks delivered each month.
• Access to the current OG Pass, LEGO Pass, and Music Pass (these grant premium rewards and progress while you’re subscribed).
• Rocket League’s Rocket Pass Premium as a bonus benefit (eligibility and delivery require linking the same Epic account).

All of these lines are stated in Epic’s official Fortnite Crew documentation and the Epic Store listing for the subscription. The company also notes that some bonus benefits are subject to change and that availability can vary by platform. That caveat matters: Epic has the right to adjust the list of bonus benefits or discontinue them, and Rocket League credits in particular have specific redemption rules.

The Crew Pack and permanence​

Each month’s Crew Pack is exclusive content — outfits and matching accessories — that are permanently added to your account once issued. That means cosmetics granted while you’re a subscriber remain yours even if you later cancel, though access to ongoing passes and future monthly drops requires an active subscription. Epic’s policy around pass access changed in late 2024: new subscribers get premium pass rewards only while their subscription is active, so timing matters if you join mid‑season or cancel and plan to rejoin later.

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The hard numbers: price and market value​

Fortnite Crew standalone price (U.S.): $11.99 per month. Epic lists the subscription and the monthly V‑Bucks on its storefront. The current retail price for 1,000 V‑Bucks on Epic’s store is shown at $8.99, which factors into direct value calculations. The Battle Pass itself costs 1,000 V‑Bucks to buy separately, and LEGO / Music passes have been priced at 1,400 V‑Bucks historically; the OG Pass runs about 1,000 V‑Bucks. Put together, the retail-priced components included in Crew often exceed the monthly cost when valued at face price — but that’s a simplified arithmetic exercise, not a full value model.

• Fortnite Crew price: $11.99 / month.
• 1,000 V‑Bucks (store price): $8.99.
• Battle Pass cost if bought separately: 1,000 V‑Bucks (i.e., ~$8.99 at the store price).

This means a single month’s Crew subscription roughly delivers the equivalent of a paid Battle Pass plus V‑Bucks when valued strictly at storefront prices — which is why Epic’s offering has long been considered good value for regular players. But note: V‑Bucks pricing varies across stores and regional currency adjustments can change the apparent value in your country.

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Microsoft’s Game Pass change: what it means​

Microsoft restructured Game Pass into three tiers and raised Ultimate’s price to $29.99/month in the U.S., simultaneously adding partner content including Fortnite Crew and Ubisoft+ Classics to the Ultimate benefits package. Xbox Wire and multiple news outlets confirm that Fortnite Crew will be an included perk for Ultimate members starting November 18, 2025. That date is important: it’s the point at which the standalone Club and Game Pass billing math will shift for many customers.
Two immediate consequences follow:

• For players already subscribing to Game Pass Ultimate, Epic’s standalone $11.99 Crew becomes effectively redundant — you’ll get the same Crew benefits rolled into your Ultimate subscription on or after November 18, 2025.
• For players who only play Fortnite, the choice is now between paying $11.99 directly to Epic for Crew or jumping to Ultimate at $29.99 — a large premium that must be justified by other Game Pass benefits. Independent reporting and Microsoft’s announcement both emphasize the tradeoff between added breadth (Game Pass games, cloud quality, Ubisoft+ Classics) and higher monthly cost.

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Scenario analysis: which option is best for whom​

1. You’re a Fortnite‑first player (no other Game Pass interest)​

• Best option: Keep subscribing to Fortnite Crew directly at $11.99/month.
• Rationale: Crew includes the Battle Pass, monthly V‑Bucks, Crew Pack cosmetics, and the extra passes. If you only play Fortnite, you don’t need the broader Game Pass catalog to justify paying $29.99 monthly. The standalone Crew remains the cheaper, higher‑ROI choice for this group.

2. You’re a casual Fortnite player who also plays a few Game Pass titles​

• Best option: Do the math monthly.
• Rationale: If you already subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate (old or new), you’ll get Crew included from November 18, 2025; no need to keep a separate Crew subscription. If you don’t subscribe to Game Pass and your non‑Fortnite playtime is modest, compare the $11.99/month Crew with the incremental entertainment value you’d get from the Game Pass catalog at $29.99/month. Consider short‑term trials or promotional offers to test Ultimate before a full switch.

3. You’re a Game Pass power user (multiple day‑one or catalogue titles)​

• Best option: Upgrade to or remain on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
• Rationale: Ultimate’s added benefits — 75+ day‑one releases annually, cloud streaming quality improvements, Ubisoft+ Classics, and Fortnite Crew — make it the obvious choice if you play across many Game Pass titles. The relative cost per hour of entertainment drops as you play more games, but the headline price is higher. Reporters and Microsoft both highlight that Ultimate is now positioned as the “all‑in” tier.

4. Household or family sharing scenarios​

• Best option: Compare usage patterns and account sharing limits.
• Rationale: Game Pass doesn’t yet offer a permanent family plan in most regions; Microsoft has tested family pilots in the past but broad rollout remains uncertain. If multiple household members want distinct benefits, multiple subscriptions or account sharing on a home console may be necessary. Keep an eye on Microsoft’s announcements and existing family pilot news.

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Caveats, limitations, and risks​

• Perks can change. Epic’s own terms state that “bonus benefits are only guaranteed for the then‑current edition” and may be altered or discontinued. Rocket League’s Rocket Pass Premium is a bonus benefit and has specific redemption rules — for example, credits are sometimes granted only under certain conditions and may be retained through the current Rocket League season if you cancel. Treat bonus benefits as valuable but not immutable.
• Subscription dependency is real. Many Crew benefits (Battle Pass access, future pass access) require an active subscription for claim and progress. After changes Epic made in late 2024, newly subscribed players can only claim premium pass rewards while they remain subscribed; that alters the calculus for intermittent users.
• Regional pricing and platform differences. V‑Buck bundles and Crew pricing vary by storefront and currency. The Epic Store currently lists 1,000 V‑Bucks at $8.99 in the U.S., not $7.99 — so the dollar valuation of Crew’s V‑Buck allowance depends on the store and the platform. Don’t assume V‑Buck or pass prices are identical across regions and consoles.
• Microsoft’s price change. The Game Pass Ultimate price jump increases the threshold for value. Ultimate now bundles more features but also costs more — that means many players who valued Ultimate at its prior price may now find Crew alone is cheaper. If you plan to switch, confirm the timing (Nov 18, 2025) and any grandfathered billing that might affect your account.
• Time‑sensitive commitments. If you currently subscribe to both Crew and Game Pass Ultimate, you should review billing dates: from November 18, 2025 your Ultimate should include Crew benefits and you may want to cancel the duplicate Epic subscription to avoid double billing. Follow Microsoft and Epic cancellation steps carefully — account and storefront differences can make cancellations non‑intuitive. Practical cancellation guidance remains available in community and support documentation.

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Practical checklist: how to decide and act​

• Inventory what you play. List your top three games and how many hours per month you spend in each.
• Compare costs:
• Fortnite Crew: $11.99/month (standalone).
• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate: $29.99/month (new Ultimate price in the U.S.).
• Match features to playtime:
• If >60–70% of your playtime is Fortnite, Crew alone is almost certainly the better financial fit.
• If you regularly play multiple Game Pass titles (or want Ubisoft+ Classics), Ultimate becomes more attractive.
• If you currently have both subscriptions, plan to cancel the duplicate before November 18, 2025. Use your provider’s subscription management interface (Microsoft account / Epic account / console storefront) to turn off recurring billing or cancel — and verify access windows and refunds. Community guides and official help docs offer step‑by‑step instructions.
• Watch for region or platform special cases: some Crew bonus benefits may not be available on all consoles or in all territories; Rocket League’s redemption rules require linked Epic accounts. Confirm eligibility before counting a bonus as guaranteed value.

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Deeper take: ecosystem strategy and consumer impact​

Microsoft’s decision to absorb Fortnite Crew into Game Pass Ultimate is strategically significant. Fortnite remains one of the largest live‑service titles globally and folding Crew into Ultimate amplifies Game Pass’s cross‑platform appeal. For Microsoft, it’s a way to offset the perception of a price hike by packaging visible, high‑value perks into the new Ultimate, while signaling partner openness (Epic, Ubisoft) to strengthen Xbox’s subscription ecosystem. For Epic, the partnership expands Crew’s reach and ensures Crew skins and passes hit a broader audience by surfacing them through Microsoft’s subscription funnel. The commercial win is mutual — but the consumer tradeoff is increased monthly spend for anyone who wants Game Pass’s full slate.
From a consumer welfare view, two tensions matter:

• Choice vs. bundling: Bundles make discovery easier and can lower marginal cost per game/benefit, but they also force tradeoffs when a consumer only wants one part of the bundle (e.g., Fortnite Crew).
• Price signaling: A higher Ultimate price with bundled high‑value perks may be acceptable to heavy users but risks alienating mid‑tier users who previously found Ultimate an easy step up.

In short, the move tightens Microsoft’s ecosystem leverage and raises the bar for subscription comparisons across markets.

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Final verdict and practical recommendation​

• If Fortnite is your main game and you don’t use Xbox Game Pass for other titles, continue subscribing to Fortnite Crew at $11.99/month. You’re getting clear, trackable value: monthly Crew Packs, the Battle Pass, and 1,000 V‑Bucks — which, at current storefront prices, almost pays for itself in V‑Buck equivalent value.
• If you already pay for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you’ll receive Fortnite Crew benefits starting November 18, 2025, so you can safely cancel any duplicate Epic subscription and avoid double billing. Confirm your billing cycles and cancellation windows first.
• If you’re on the fence — play a few Game Pass titles and Fortnite occasionally — test Ultimate during a promotional month or check multi‑month pricing, then decide. The new Ultimate price represents a meaningful premium; justify it only if you’ll use the added game library and cloud features.
• Always verify regional prices and platform‑specific availability before changing plans. Epic and Microsoft both have platform caveats and regional pricing differences that affect the real cost and availability of perks.

Fortnite Crew remains an attractive subscription for committed Fortnite players. Microsoft’s decision to bundle Crew into Game Pass Ultimate expands the reach of Fortnite’s premium perks but also raises the headline cost shoppers must accept to acquire those extras through Xbox. For most players, the simplest advice holds: choose the subscription that reflects where you spend your time. If Fortnite dominates your gaming hours, Crew remains the economical bet; if you live across dozens of Game Pass titles, Ultimate consolidates that spend — but at a higher monthly price. Plan accordingly, check the dates and billing windows, and avoid paying for the same perk twice.

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Conclusion: Fortnite Crew’s inclusion in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate changes the competitive landscape by converting a high‑value specialty subscription into a cross‑platform perk inside a larger, more expensive bundle. The new arrangement benefits heavy multi‑game subscribers while preserving standalone value for dedicated Fortnite players — but it demands careful attention to timing, billing, and regional pricing to avoid wasted spend.

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Source: Windows Central Fortnite Crew explained — what you get with the new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate perk