Epic’s notice said its China-specific Fortnite beta would stop accepting new registrations and downloads on November 1, 2021, at 11 a.m., and its servers would close on November 15, 2021, at 11 a.m. The dates applied to the China service—not Fortnite worldwide.
What happened to Fortnite in China?
Epic described the service as a beta test. Contemporaneous reports called the China-specific version Fortress Night and described it as an altered test version rather than the same release available internationally. In a notice translated by TechCrunch, Epic told players: “Fortnite China’s Beta test will be ending, and the servers will be closed soon.” The notice thanked players for taking part.
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The notice set out two cutoff dates:
| Date and time | What changed |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2021, 11 a.m. | New-user registration and the game download portal closed. |
| November 15, 2021, 11 a.m. | Servers were turned off; players could no longer connect through the WeGame client. |
These were historical dates in Epic’s 2021 notice, not a current shutdown schedule. TechCrunch reproduced the translated notice and linked to Epic’s announcement.
Was Fortnite banned in China?
The sources do not establish a formal ban announcement. They report that the China test version never received government approval for a formal launch and monetization. Axios quoted analyst Daniel Ahmad explaining that the game lacked approval to launch and monetize; The Straits Times also reported that it had not received approval for a formal launch. That distinction matters: the service was a test version, not an officially launched Chinese edition on the same footing as the international game.
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- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Reports noted differences between the test and international versions, including changes to content and monetization. The available reporting does not provide a reliable China-specific player total.
Why did Epic close the China test?
The closure came amid tighter regulation of gaming in China. Contemporary reporting described limits that restricted minors’ online gaming to three hours a week, as well as slower approvals for new game titles. That is relevant context, but it does not prove those policies were Epic’s stated reason for ending the test.
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- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Epic’s notice announced the end date without giving a detailed rationale. Axios reported that Epic pointed it to the notice rather than providing a substantive explanation. TechCrunch discussed regulatory pressure and economic viability as possible factors, not as a confirmed explanation from Epic. The careful conclusion is that the test ended against a tougher regulatory backdrop; the sources do not establish a definitive cause.
Jeff Sue, identified by Axios as Mintegral’s general manager, said that “most Chinese publishers like NetEase and Tencent Gaming have foreseen restrictions and it plays a role in their global acquisitions.” That was an industry observation about publishers’ planning, not an explanation from Epic for this closure.
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- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
What the reported audience figures do—and do not—show
The Straits Times, citing AFP in 2021, reported more than 350 million users for Fortnite globally. It also reported 470 million views for a related Weibo hashtag. Neither figure is a count of Chinese Fortnite players: the first refers to the global game, and the second to hashtag views.
Quick Recap
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- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Rank #4
- Redeemable on accounts in the United States and in U.S. Dollars.
- Gift card must be redeemed at EpicGames.com/redeem. This gift card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly on a console device (PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, etc.)
- If you play Fortnite experiences on a console device, you need to link your Epic Games account to your console account(s) so items purchased at Fortnite.com/item-shop appear across all of your linked accounts
- Requires internet connection, valid Epic account and prior acceptance of the terms
- Redemption: Online
Sources
- TechCrunch: Epic’s notice and the shutdown timeline
- Axios: the test version, approval context and industry comment
- The Straits Times: approval context, regulation and reported figures
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
