Fortnite is in a strange situation: the main game “Save the World” was supposed to be released for free in 2018. But the success of Battle Royale raises question marks. Fans of both modes in Fortnite are concerned. We are looking for answers to their questions.
Fortnite has two modes that share a client:
- The PvE mode “Save the World” is paid on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. This makes it inaccessible to many players. However, it is known that the mode should be available for free in 2018.
- The PvP mode “Battle Royale” can be played by anyone, even without paying.
A hype has arisen around the Battle Royale mode in recent months, creating ever higher waves. Streamers are becoming millionaires, footballers celebrate in Fortnite style and girlfriends’ hearts race when their boyfriends text back during a Fortnite match from the bushes.
Fortnite fans of both modes have questions about “Save the World”, but different ones
Many fans who know and like the BR mode are currently looking eagerly at the PvE mode and asking: “Should I spend money on Save the World now when the mode will be free in 2018 anyway? When will it finally come?”
However, the PvE fans have completely different concerns. They fear that Epic could neglect them in favor of the more attractive PvP mode. They wonder: “Is Epic even still interested in Save the World? Are they still developing this part?”
When will Save the World be free?
So far, there is only the statement that Fortnite “Save the World” should be free in 2018. However, there are no signs that this will happen anytime soon.
It is said: “We still want to do a lot with the mode.” Officially, the game is still in Early Access.
It sounds like Epic wants to release the mode “Save the World” for free only when the release status is reached. However, they are probably still far from that at Epic.
Right after the release, Epic Games tried some experiments with the mode – such as a “XXL Survival Mode” and some seasonal events. However, since Battle Royale has become such a hit, the team’s focus seems to have shifted to PvP. Substantial advancements in PvE have been painfully missed by fans since then.
So, one should not expect that Epic Games will spontaneously release “Save the World” for free, but one can assume that the free release of “Save the World” comes at the end of a longer development process with substantial expansions.
Especially from the midgame onward, the mode needs more content. Currently, patches are indeed being worked on “Fortnite Save the World”, but significant progress has not been observed in recent months.
Fans are afraid after the end of Paragon
The fact that relatively little has happened in PvE lately gives fans reason to worry.
After all, Epic Games recently shut down their own game “Paragon”, likely to focus on the well-performing Battle Royale mode of Fortnite. Some fans have gulped hard and asked: “Are we next?”
However, it seems unlikely that Epic Games will actually discontinue the PvE mode. On the contrary: here they have a huge opportunity to engage the existing Battle Royale players more closely by suddenly making the “Save the World” mode accessible for free.
Epic is working on Save the World, wants to unify the control of PvE and PvP
And so Epic Games is diligently sending signals: “No, we haven’t forgotten you. We are working hard to expand the PvE mode.”
The latest is that Fortnite is working on unifying the control of “Save the World” and the “Battle Royale” mode. Currently, the controls in both modes differ greatly, making it hard to switch from one mode to the other.
Both modes do indeed benefit from each other: Weapons from one mode frequently transfer to the other. For example, in Battle Royale the 
