Fortnite Save the World mode goes free April 16 with Nintendo Switch 2 support

Epic Games is making Fortnite’s Save the World mode free starting April 16. Unlike the widely popular battle royale mode, Save the World is a cooperative PvE experience focused on survival, base building, and teamwork. The mode will debut on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 console but won’t be available on the current Switch or mobile devices.

Currently, access to Save the World costs $9, but sales of the paid version will end today. After that, players won’t be able to buy it separately as it officially transitions to a free-to-play model.

Players who already own Save the World will keep full access to all content. Epic Games is also rewarding them with in-game bonuses, including V-bucks vouchers, golden bars, and late-game resources used to level up characters and items.

Even with the free-to-play shift, players can still earn V-bucks within Save the World by completing daily quests, participating in Mission Alerts, defending Storm Shield bases, and other existing challenges.

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Pre-registration for the free version is now open. The mode will remain playable on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms as well. Those who pre-register will receive extra bonuses when the free version launches, with rewards scaling based on the total number of sign-ups by April 16.

Originally released in 2017, Save the World saw moderate success but was soon overshadowed by Fortnite’s battle royale mode-a Fortnite variant inspired by PUBG: Battlegrounds that vaulted the game to worldwide fame.

Save the World going free is Epic’s move to rejuvenate interest in the PvE side of Fortnite, broadening the game’s appeal beyond battle royale. The addition of Nintendo Switch 2 support signals a focus on next-gen consoles, while existing platforms remain supported.

Keep an eye on how this free transition affects Fortnite’s player base and whether it sparks fresh content updates or expansions for Save the World. With the battle royale market crowded by giants like Call of Duty and Apex Legends, Epic’s bet on survival PvE on multiple platforms could carve out a niche for more cooperative play.