Fortnite Fans Obsess Over New Pokémon-Like Sprite Collecting
Fortnite fans are forking out real money on eBay for rare species of Sprite — the game's cute new, Pokémon-like creatures that can be collected and traded.
Fortnite fans are forking out real money on eBay for rare species of Sprite — the game's cute new, Pokémon-like creatures that can be collected and traded.
Fortnite fans are eagerly spending real money on eBay to acquire rare species of Sprite, the game's adorable new creatures resembling Pokémon that can be collected and traded. Completed eBay listings have shown transactions reaching up to $100 for the opportunity to obtain rare species within the game. Numerous listings demonstrate players investing in the game's scarcest varieties, including the highly sought-after Zero Point Sprite and its various special-colored variants.
The introduction of Sprite collecting in Fortnite coincided with the latest season, incorporating extraction mechanics for the first time. Players engage in a gameplay loop where they discover creatures, enhance their power levels, and secure them for future competitive matches at extraction points. While each Sprite offers relatively minor gameplay effects like healing buffs and brief invisibility, the allure of collecting each type is compelling, with a dedicated collection screen reminiscent of a Pokédex. The thrill of locating and extracting a rare variant is intense, particularly considering some are exceptionally challenging to find, such as the one featuring controversial streamer TheBurntPeanut.
Despite the difficulty, once a Sprite is extracted, players can generate infinite copies using Sprite Dust, an in-game currency, and share them with others during matches. This feature has led to the formation of Sprite trading groups on platforms like reddit and Discord, as well as the emergence of eBay listings.
Fortnite's vast community has only managed to extract a single Gummy-colored variant of the rarest Zero Point Sprite since its recent introduction into the game, according to Epic Games developer TofuChris. While reports of a player being threatened for obtaining the Sprite appear to be inaccurate, upcoming items and events are expected to make rare species more accessible throughout the season, much to the delight of fans. The game's player count surged above 2.5 million on both Saturday and Sunday, exceeding last week's new season launch, as Fortnite hosted Sprite collecting events. Subsequent weeks will feature more of these events, introducing additional species that will likely appear on eBay shortly after.
