Epic Games Weekly: Fortnite Gambling Crackdown, Steam Spats, and Deadpool's Arrival

By ModVC Staff | Saturday, January 17, 2026 - 14:00

It has been a tumultuous week for Epic Games, marked by significant policy shifts, ongoing industry friction with Valve, and substantial content drops across their ecosystem. As we settle into the third weekend of 2026, the landscape of PC gaming continues to evolve with Epic at the center of several controversies and celebrations.

From the crackdown on predatory monetization within Fortnite Creative to the baffling economics of the Epic Games Store struggling to dent Steam's dominance, there is plenty to unpack. We also have the arrival of the "Merc with a Mouth" in Marvel Rivals and a fresh batch of free games to claim. Here is your comprehensive breakdown of everything happening in the world of Epic Games this week.

The End of 'Brainrot' Gambling in Fortnite

The biggest story this week concerns the integrity of the Metaverse. After a week of intense community blowback, Epic Games has officially addressed the "Steal the Brainrot" controversy. For the uninitiated, Fortnite Creative has seen a surge in "tycoon" and "box fight" maps utilizing manipulative mechanics that essentially introduce unregulated gambling to the platform's younger demographic.

According to reports from Polygon, builders were utilizing recent changes in Creator tools to offer in-game purchases that functioned as prize wheels or "increased luck" modifiers. This effectively turned custom maps into casinos, where real-money currency (V-Bucks) was exchanged for a chance at better in-game items or competitive advantages.

Epic Games has now drawn a hard line in the sand. As reported by NewsBytes, new rules prohibiting creators from selling random-chance mechanics go into effect starting January 20th. This is a massive blow to the "low effort, high yield" economy that has plagued the Creative discovery tab recently.

Policy Shift Breakdown

The changes are specific and targeted. Here is what creators need to know regarding the new monetization guidelines:

This move is essential for the platform's longevity, especially as Epic continues to fight legal battles regarding app store monopolies and safety. Speaking of legal and financial battles, Epic is also cleaning house regarding a recent currency glitch.

According to FRVR, a significant number of players utilized a glitch earlier this week to generate unauthorized V-Bucks. Epic has confirmed that not only has the patch been deployed, but they will be clawing back the currency from affected accounts. If you spent the glitched V-Bucks, expect your account to go into a negative balance—a standard, albeit painful, practice for the publisher.

The Cold War: Epic vs. Valve

No week in PC gaming is complete without friction between the two titans of the industry: Valve and Epic Games. This week, the conversation revolves around Artificial Intelligence and the bewildering consumer behavior of PC gamers.

The AI Discourse

Valve recently doubled down on its Steam AI disclosure guidelines, requiring developers to be transparent about the use of generative AI in their assets. This move has been largely praised by players seeking human-created content. However, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney weighed in on the matter.

As reported by GAMINGbible, Sweeney responded to the news. While typical for Sweeney to challenge Valve's hegemony, critics noted that his response added "absolutely nothing of substance" to the ethical debate surrounding AI in art. It highlights the differing philosophies: Valve is opting for consumer transparency, while Epic remains more laissez-faire regarding developer tools, likely to encourage adoption of Unreal Engine's developing AI features.

The 'Free Game' Paradox

Perhaps the most fascinating story of the week comes from Notebookcheck. The immersive sim Blood West was recently offered for free on the Epic Games Store. Logic dictates that this would tank sales on other platforms. Instead, Blood West saw a 200% sales bump on Steam during the same period.

This phenomenon suggests a few critical things about the PC market in 2026:

1. Discovery Tool: Players use EGS to "demo" games for free, then buy them on Steam for the superior ecosystem (Workshop, Deck support, Achievements).
2. Platform Stickiness: The Steam Deck has solidified Valve's grip; players want their library in one place, even if it means paying for something they could own for free elsewhere.
3. Trolling: As the article suggests, there is an element of the community that actively spends money on Steam to spite Epic's exclusivity and freebie tactics.

Free Games Radar: Enter the Shadows

Despite the sales paradox, free games remain the biggest draw for the Epic Games Launcher. This week, we return to the classic weekly drop format after the festive daily giveaways.

IGN India and Adventure Gamers report that the highlight this week is the Styx series. Specifically, Styx: Master of Shadows is up for grabs. This stealth-action game puts you in the shoes of a goblin assassin in a dark fantasy universe. It is a cult classic for fans of the Thief or Dishonored style of gameplay, emphasizing verticality and clever use of tools over brute force.

Here is how the freebie landscape looks this weekend across the major PC perks:

Marvel Rivals & The Social Metaverse

Epic's investments in the Metaverse continue to blur the lines between their properties. The biggest splash this week is the arrival of Deadpool in Marvel Rivals, the hero shooter that has taken the genre by storm.

As confirmed by social channels, Deadpool joins the roster in Season 6. His kit is expected to break the fourth wall, with abilities that likely mess with the UI of opponents. You can check out the reveal details at epic.gm/marvel-rivals. This addition is huge for keeping the player base engaged as the game enters its second year.

Furthermore, Beebom reports on the upcoming Fortnite "Social Game Mode." This appears to be a deeper integration of the Fall Guys IP, creating a non-combat social hub where players can engage in mini-games without the pressure of the Battle Royale looking. It represents Epic's continued push to make Fortnite a platform rather than just a game.

Guides and Retrospectives

Finally, for those looking to engage with Epic's catalog beyond the shooter genre, the team has released a new deep dive into Total War: Three Kingdoms. Although developed by Creative Assembly, Epic has published a comprehensive guide on the best factions for 2026 campaigns.

According to Epic Games, the meta has settled around three distinct playstyles:

• Cao Cao: For players who want to manipulate diplomacy and instigate proxy wars.
• Lu Bu: For those who prefer pure tactical dominance and aggression.
• Meng Huo: Usually the pick for players who enjoy unique unit rosters (elephants) and corner-map starts.

And if you are feeling nostalgic, ComicBook.com released a timely reminder that Epic Games existed before Fortnite. Their list of the "5 Best Epic Games That Aren’t Fortnite" is a must-read for younger gamers. It highlights the company's roots in gritty shooters and platformers.

ModVC's Top Picks from the Epic Back-Catalog:

Looking Ahead

As we look toward the rest of 2026, the gaming landscape seems poised for massive hardware battles and software leaps. Videos circulating this week, such as "Why PC DESTROYS PS5 in 2026" by YOUR PC GUIDE and "GTA VI: Console in 2026, PC in 2028?" by Project Rockstar, highlight the anxiety and excitement surrounding the next generation of visual fidelity.

Watch: Video Games Coming in 2026…😳 #shorts #gaming

Epic Games is undoubtedly positioning Unreal Engine 5.5 (and beyond) to be the backbone of this new era. However, they must first solve their current identity crisis: balancing the user-generated chaos of Fortnite with the curated prestige of a storefront trying to rival Steam.

Stay tuned to ModVC for more updates on the Fortnite Google Play settlement and the upcoming Genshin Impact Version Luna IV update.