Developer Epic Games, along with Microsoft, has pledged to donate all off the proceeds from the game to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine for two weeks.

The money raised has been forwarded to aid groups such as Direct Relief, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the World Food Programme.

Riot Games, developer of League of Legends, had raised $5.4 million (£4.1 million/€4.9 million), while a collection of nearly 1,000 games on Itch.io managed to get $6 million (£4.6 million/€5.5 million) and Humble Bundle raised $20 million (£15 million/€18 million).

Fortnite were in an uncomfortable situation with regards to the launch of chapter three, season two, with an "invasion" themed season scheduled well in advance with ground wars and virtual tanks.

However, Epic Games realised the bad timing of the launch, with Russia launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24 and decided to donate all proceeds from the first two weeks of the game for relief efforts.

Fortnite’s haul of $144 million could be one of the largest totals generated through a video game charity drive.

The Awesome Games Done Quick charity drive for speed runners had raised $3.4 (£2.6 million/€3.1 million) million in January.

Activision managed to raise $53 million (£40 million/€48 million) through Call of Duty for veterans since 2009.

Video game-based charity organisation Child’s Play, that donates toys and games to children, has managed to raise $44.5 million (£34.1 million/€40 million) since it started in 2003.