Fortnite's 'Save the World' Goes Free
What happened
Epic Games announced that 'Save the World,' Fortnite's original PvE mode, will be free next month, while V-Bucks will be repriced with a 20% reduction in value.
Why it matters
"Save the World" was Epic Games' original concept for Fortnite, a co-op survival game where players battled waves of monsters while building fortifications. It launched in early access in 2017 but took a backseat when "Battle Royale" exploded in popularity. The shift to free-to-play on April 16, 2026, aims to broaden the audience for "Save the World," which will also launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 that day. However, the mode will not be available for the original Nintendo Switch, smartphones, or tablets. Players can register on the Fortnite website to unlock community rewards. Concurrently, Epic is adjusting V-Bucks pricing, citing increased operational costs for Fortnite. The base $8.99 pack will now provide 800 V-Bucks instead of 1,000. However, Epic is introducing a 20% cashback program through Epic Rewards for purchases made via their payment system. To offset the V-Bucks devaluation, the seasonal battle pass will cost 800 V-Bucks, down from 1,000, and award 800 V-Bucks upon completion. However, the V-Bucks Bonus Rewards previously included with the season pass are being removed.
Key numbers
- Epic Games announced that 'Save the World,' Fortnite's original PvE mode, will be free next month, while V-Bucks will be repriced with a 20% reduction in value.
- It launched in early access in 2017 but took a backseat when "Battle Royale" exploded in popularity.
- The shift to free-to-play on April 16, 2026, aims to broaden the audience for "Save the World," which will also launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 that day.
- The base $8.99 pack will now provide 800 V-Bucks instead of 1,000.
What happens next
- The shift to free-to-play on April 16, 2026, aims to broaden the audience for "Save the World," which will also launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 that day.
- However, the mode will not be available for the original Nintendo Switch, smartphones, or tablets.
- The base $8.99 pack will now provide 800 V-Bucks instead of 1,000.
Sources
Quick answers
What happened in Fortnite's 'Save the World' Goes Free?
Epic Games announced that 'Save the World,' Fortnite's original PvE mode, will be free next month, while V-Bucks will be repriced with a 20% reduction in value.
Why does Fortnite's 'Save the World' Goes Free matter?
"Save the World" was Epic Games' original concept for Fortnite, a co-op survival game where players battled waves of monsters while building fortifications. It launched in early access in 2017 but took a backseat when "Battle Royale" exploded in popularity. The shift to free-to-play on April 16, 2026, aims to broaden the audience for "Save the World," which will also launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 that day. However, the mode will not be available for the original Nintendo Switch, smartphones, or tablets. Players can register on the Fortnite website to unlock community rewards. Concurrently, Epic is adjusting V-Bucks pricing, citing increased operational costs for Fortnite. The base $8.99 pack will now provide 800 V-Bucks instead of 1,000. However, Epic is introducing a 20% cashback program through Epic Rewards for purchases made via their payment system. To offset the V-Bucks devaluation, the seasonal battle pass will cost 800 V-Bucks, down from 1,000, and award 800 V-Bucks upon completion. However, the V-Bucks Bonus Rewards previously included with the season pass are being removed.
