Epic Games is expanding the reach of its acclaimed Fortnite PvE mode, Save the World, by making it free-to-play starting April 16, 2026.
This long-standing campaign, originally launched in 2017, is set to welcome an entirely new wave of players, including those on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
The move marks a major milestone for Epic’s flagship title, as Save the World transitions from a paid offering to a widely accessible experience across multiple hardware platforms. Fortnite initially rose to prominence for its battle royale gameplay, but Save the World has always held a dedicated fanbase thanks to its action-building, cooperative structure.
Described by Epic Games as the 'game that started it all,' Save the World tasks players with defending against relentless monster hordes, constructing expansive forts, crafting unique weapons, gathering loot, and leveling up heroes in a richly destructible world. In a recent announcement, Epic Games confirmed, 'After nearly ten years, the game that started it all welcomes even more players to join the fight.
Save the World is going free to play on April 16.' The company also revealed that on the same date, the Save the World mode will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2, further expanding its reach within the Nintendo hardware ecosystem and the eShop. To celebrate this shift, Epic Games is introducing an enticing pre-registration campaign: the more players who pre-register for Fortnite Save the World, the more exclusive in-game rewards all pre-registrants will unlock.
Rewards include a special Save the World hero, designed to commemorate the relaunch.
Furthermore, existing Save the World players are receiving a token of appreciation from Epic, with gifts such as superchargers, vouchers, and gold distributed on April 16. For those unfamiliar with Save the World, the mode stands apart from Fortnite’s battle royale by emphasizing cooperative play and complex world-building.
Players team up to explore, fortify, and survive together in a world teeming with dangerous creatures and valuable resources. Save the World's transition to a free-to-play model on April 16, along with its simultaneous debut on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, is poised to introduce a broader audience to the original cooperative Fortnite experience.
As Epic Games continues to innovate and expand its portfolio, this move underlines its commitment to making its universe more accessible and rewarding for both new and veteran players on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and beyond.
This long-standing campaign, originally launched in 2017, is set to welcome an entirely new wave of players, including those on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
The move marks a major milestone for Epic’s flagship title, as Save the World transitions from a paid offering to a widely accessible experience across multiple hardware platforms. Fortnite initially rose to prominence for its battle royale gameplay, but Save the World has always held a dedicated fanbase thanks to its action-building, cooperative structure.
Described by Epic Games as the 'game that started it all,' Save the World tasks players with defending against relentless monster hordes, constructing expansive forts, crafting unique weapons, gathering loot, and leveling up heroes in a richly destructible world. In a recent announcement, Epic Games confirmed, 'After nearly ten years, the game that started it all welcomes even more players to join the fight.
Save the World is going free to play on April 16.' The company also revealed that on the same date, the Save the World mode will launch for the Nintendo Switch 2, further expanding its reach within the Nintendo hardware ecosystem and the eShop. To celebrate this shift, Epic Games is introducing an enticing pre-registration campaign: the more players who pre-register for Fortnite Save the World, the more exclusive in-game rewards all pre-registrants will unlock.
Rewards include a special Save the World hero, designed to commemorate the relaunch.
Furthermore, existing Save the World players are receiving a token of appreciation from Epic, with gifts such as superchargers, vouchers, and gold distributed on April 16. For those unfamiliar with Save the World, the mode stands apart from Fortnite’s battle royale by emphasizing cooperative play and complex world-building.
Players team up to explore, fortify, and survive together in a world teeming with dangerous creatures and valuable resources. Save the World's transition to a free-to-play model on April 16, along with its simultaneous debut on the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, is poised to introduce a broader audience to the original cooperative Fortnite experience.
As Epic Games continues to innovate and expand its portfolio, this move underlines its commitment to making its universe more accessible and rewarding for both new and veteran players on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and beyond.
