Fortnite v40.20 Update Launches Act II and Free Save the World

Epic Games launched Fortnite update v40.20 on April 16, 2026, ushering in Act II of the ongoing Showdown event and making the game's original PvE mode, Save the World, free to play for the first time. The patch arrived after a brief server downtime that began at 4 a.m. Eastern Time, with matchmaking disabled 30 minutes earlier, leaving players worldwide unable to access Battle Royale, Reload, and other modes for approximately two to three hours. Servers returned online around 7 a.m. ET, allowing millions to dive into the fresh content across platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile.

The update advances the narrative-driven Showdown Rivalries, concluding Act I where Team Ice King emerged victorious over Team Foundation. Act II, subtitled "The Elites," shifts focus to global expansion and faction-based progression, blending elements of Battle Royale and Save the World. Players earn points through skirmishes, quests, and milestones to unlock rewards that enhance both modes. Supporters of Team Foundation can access the Super Shotgun in Battle Royale, base expansions in Save the World, a cubic rifle, and upgrades to the Vortex Lighthouse and Sanctuary...