Epic Games announces Fortnite: Save the World permanent free launch

Fortnite: Save the World goes Free-to-Play starting April 16

Epic Games has officially announced that Fortnite: Save the World, the original PvE campaign that started the Fortnite phenomenon, will transition to a permanent free-to-play model on April 16, 2026. This move fulfills a long-standing goal for the developer. Originally launched as a paid “Early Access” title in 2017, the game has evolved alongside its massive Battle Royale counterpart. Starting today, interested players can pre-register on the official website to stay updated and claim exclusive launch bonuses.

Exclusive rewards for pre-registered players

To celebrate this transition, Epic Games is offering a “New Commander” incentive package. Players who pre-register before the April 16 launch will receive a selection of exclusive in-game items and a choice of one “Legacy Hero” to add to their squad. While the free version allows full access to the campaign and core gameplay loop, it will differ slightly from the original “Founder’s” version. Specifically, free-to-play users will earn X-Ray Tickets for loot llamas rather than V-Bucks, which remains a perk exclusive to those who purchased the game during its paid era.

Founder’s benefits remain protected

Epic Games reaffirmed its commitment to the loyal community of “Founders” who supported the game during its development years. Owners of the Founder’s Pack will retain all their existing privileges. This includes the ability to earn 150–300 V-Bucks daily through Daily Quests, Mission Alerts, and Storm Shield Defenses. These V-Buck earning features will not be removed or nerfed for legacy owners. Furthermore, Epic confirmed that Nintendo Switch 2 will fully support the Save the World mode at launch, bringing the PvE experience to Nintendo handhelds for the first time.

The key features of the Fortnite: Save the World free launch include:

• Full Campaign Access: Play through the entire story from Stonewood to Twine Peaks for zero cost.
• Pre-registration Bonuses: Sign up early to unlock limited-edition weapon schematics and hero cards.
• Switch 2 Support: Experience the 360-degree base defense action on the go with next-gen Nintendo hardware.
• Founder’s Guarantee: Existing paid users keep their V-Buck earning capabilities indefinitely.
• Cross-Progression: Your cosmetics and progress remain synchronized across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo.

Save the World offers a unique blend of tower defense, looting, and cooperative survival. Players must team up to build elaborate bases, set traps, and fend off hordes of “Husks” attempting to destroy their storm shields. With this move to a free-to-play model, Epic Games aims to revitalize the PvE community and introduce a new generation of players to the “Fortnite” that started it all.

Pre-register via the website: Click