Internet users have just realized something surprising about the founder of a game worth billions of dollars.
When you hear the name Tim Sweeney, you might think first of the smash hit game Fortnite. But there is another, lesser-known side to him: land conservation. The game generates around $4.5 billion annually, according to Cubix. Sweeney has a net worth of $5.1 billion, according to Forbes.
As the founder and CEO of Epic Games, Sweeney, 55, has amassed considerable wealth—but his latest move isn’t about building or flipping property; it is about protecting land. He has quietly been buying thousands of acres in North Carolina, not to develop them, but to leave them untouched. Newsweek reached out to Tim Sweeney for comment via email.
According to recent reports, Sweeney owns more than 50,000 acres across the state, spread over 15 counties.
He often acquires land through a specially created entity, then either places it under conservation easement or sits on it until state or nonprofit groups are ready to take over.
Why is it surprising? Because the standard billionaire story tends to be about luxury homes, yachts, or commercial real-estate empire building. Sweeney’s approach is different: he is using his gaming-success to act as a sort of modern-day land steward.
Fortnite and Its Impact
The game Fortnite, released by Epic Games and led by Sweeney, has become a cultural phenomenon—generating billions annually and morphing into a digital social hub.
Fortnite is an online multiplayer game where players compete on a shrinking map, gathering resources and battling opponents until only one remains.
Sweeney’s Conservation Journey
Sweeney began buying land for conservation around 2008, when land prices were lower and development pressure was increasing.
Among his notable actions are donating 7,000 acres to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and 7,500 acres to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy—moves that marked some of the largest private land conservation gifts in North Carolina’s history.
Sweeney told The News & Observer: “Since 2021, the economy has been stronger, land has become more expensive, and my focus has moved to getting large blocks of contiguous conservation lands I’ve acquired since 2009 into permanent conservation.”
These purchases are deliberately not about short-term financial return. Many of the tracts are held until the right conservation partner or state agency is ready. Some are sold at discount to ensure habitat protection rather than speculative development.
Social-Media Reaction
When the news circulated online, responses ranged from admiration to surprise:
“Tim Sweeney, the man behind Fortnite, has bought over 40,000 acres of U.S. wilderness—not to build, but to keep forever wild,” wrote gaming-news account @pirat_nation on X.
“Bro made Fortnite money and decided to save the actual map,” said another user. “Beautiful. The world needs more people like him,” shared Adriano.
“He’s taking Fortnite no build seriously,” commented someone referencing the “no build” mode in the game.
“It is inspiring to see Tim Sweeney protect so much wilderness, showing that true impact comes from preserving the beauty of nature for future generations instead of chasing profit,” added Mazi.
“I don’t like Fortnite, but that’s cool,” wrote another user.
“Love this actually. Shoutout to homie for protecting nature,” shared a third.
In the social channel Threads, users were similarly vocal.
“This is how billionaires should act,” said Heather.
View on Threads
“Fantastic! My parents have been doing this for years—all their land will go to a land trust to the Nature Conservancy. Such a wonderful way to protect our wildlife,” shared one user.
“I helped pay for that. My kid has a whole wardrobe of skins from this s***. Nice job, Tim,” wrote Miucha.
For context: in Fortnite, “skins” are cosmetic outfits or customizations that players purchase for their avatar.
“Not gonna lie, massive respect for Tim. Hell, it’s crazy knowing that money I spent on a video game went into preserving wildlife and natural habitats. That’s f***** brilliant,” wrote another user.
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