The “coming soon” that lasted nearly a decade is finally here. Today, Epic Games officially transitioned Fortnite: Save the World (StW) to a free-to-play model as part of the massive v40.20 update.

For years, the original PvE (Player vs. Environment) campaign sat behind a paywall, often overshadowed by its younger, world-dominating sibling, Battle Royale. But as of this morning’s downtime, the gates have opened for everyone on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and the newly released Nintendo Switch 2.

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What Changes for New Players?

Starting today, anyone can download Fortnite and jump straight into the cooperative campaign without purchasing a “Starter Pack.”

• The Core Loop: You’ll still be fighting off “Husks,” building elaborate trap tunnels, and levelling up a massive roster of Heroes.
• Accessibility: The mode is now fully integrated into the main Fortnite launcher alongside LEGO Fortnite, Rocket Racing, and Fortnite Festival.
• Rewards: New players can earn in-game cosmetics through gameplay, though the “infinite V-Buck” farm remains exclusive to a specific group (see below).

A “Founder’s” Farewell

Epic isn’t forgetting the veterans who kept the storm at bay since 2017. If you purchased Save the World before today’s update, you are officially a Founder.

Important Note: Only Founders retain the ability to earn V-Bucks through Daily Quests and Mission Alerts. New free-to-play users will instead earn a new currency (or X-Ray Tickets) to progress through the game’s llamas and upgrades.

To say thank you, all current owners were greeted today with a “Founders Farewell” bundle, including:

• Exclusive Hero: Snowstrike
• A cache of Superchargers and Vouchers
• A stack of in-game Gold to jumpstart the new season

Why Now?

The move coincides with a broader push for the “Fortnite Ecosystem.” With the v40.20 update also introducing AI-powered NPC conversations and the Showdown Act 2 event, Epic is clearly positioning Save the World as a foundational pillar rather than a forgotten side-project.

By removing the price tag, Epic is betting that a surge in player count will revitalise the co-op matchmaking, which has struggled with “ghost town” lobbies in higher-level zones like Twine Peaks for years.

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The Verdict

Is it too little, too late? Some might say so—especially those who waited since the original 2018 free-to-play promise. However, for a new generation of players who only know Fortnite for its dances and crossovers, Save the World offers a surprisingly deep, strategic, and charming tower-defence experience that is well worth the $0 price tag.

Are you finally dropping into the Storm, or are you sticking to the Battle Bus? Let us know in the comments!

Find out more here – https://fn.gg/savetheworldftp

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