Epic Games is using the new 'Fortnite' season launch to support Ukraine

The video game industry has come to the aid of Ukraine after Russian forces invaded in February. When a new season is about to start, games don't get much bigger.

As the hit battle Royale remained offline Sunday morning ahead of the second season launch, the developer of the game announced its plans to support humanitarian relief efforts in the country. Between March 20 and April 3, all money earned in the game will be split between four organizations that have been providing aid during the conflict.

Net profits from sales of the game on the Microsoft platforms will go to charity.

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The United Nations leads three of the charities, including the U.N. Children's Fund. Direct Relief is a U.S.-based nonprofit that is on a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies without regard to politics, religion.

It is difficult to say what the two weeks worth of profits is in dollars, but it is likely not a small number. The game made $9 billion in revenue over the course of two years, and the company that licenses out one of the most widely used game development tools in the industry made $5.1 billion.

A new season launch is always the busiest time for the game, with regular item store sales and committed players buying their Battle Passes. There are a number of exciting features and additions in this new one, including a Doctor Strange outfit that is unlocked via the Battle Pass and a no build mode, which turns off the signature building mechanics in the battle Royale game.

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It is worth noting that this is not the first move by the company to support the country. After the invasion began in late February, the business world began isolating Russia financially, and as a result, the maker of the video game "Fortnite" joined others in suspending its commercial activities in Russia.

The free world should keep all lines of dialogue open, and that's why we're not blocking access for the same reason other communication tools remain online.