I‘m so glad you asked! Yes, absolutely Fortnite remains 100% free to download and play on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 as of February 2023. Epic Games‘ incredibly popular multiplayer shooter continues to be free on PS4, PS5 and all platforms.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about getting started with Fortnite on your PlayStation.
A Quick Intro to Fortnite
For anyone not familiar with Fortnite yet, it‘s an online multiplayer game that blends battle royale survival gameplay with the ability to build structures and fortifications. Here‘s a quick overview:
100 Player PvP Battles – Every match drops 100 players onto an island where they fight to be the last one standing. It‘s you against 99 other players!
Loot Weapons & Items – Scavenge for shields, health, ammo, and weapons like shotguns, rifles, SMGs, and the zany Plasma Cannon.
Gather Resources – Harvest building materials by demolishing vehicles, trees, rocks, and structures with your pickaxe.
Build Forts & Structures – Use those materials to build walls, floors, stairs and roofs. This is crucial to defend yourself and gain the upper hand in fights.
Special Abilities – Unlock fun movement abilities like grappling hooks, super jumps, and speed bursts through the Battle Pass.
Cosmetic Customization – Dress up your character with wild outfits, back bling, harvesting tools, gliders, contrails, and more. Show off your style!
With its cartoony art style and emotes like flossing or breakdancing, Fortnite appeals to audiences young and old. It‘s really fun with friends thanks to the duo and squad modes where you can team up. But going solo against 99 other players provides a real adrenaline rush!
Now let‘s take a look at what makes Fortnite on PlayStation so special.
Why PlayStation is One of the Most Popular Places to Play
Fortnite thrives on PlayStation. In fact, according to surveys conducted by Newzoo, over 30% of regular Fortnite players play on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. This makes Sony‘s consoles the most popular platform for Epic‘s battle royale sensation.
There are a few good reasons why PlayStation consoles are so widely used among the Fortnite community:
PlayStation 4‘s Colossal Player Base
With over 117 million PS4 units sold, the console‘s sheer dominance last generation gave Fortnite a massive player pool to draw from. Even in 2024, there are still tons of active PS4 players enjoying Fortnite.
Seamless Cross-Play
Fortnite fully supports cross-platform play. So PS4 and PS5 players can battle players on other consoles like Xbox and Nintendo Switch. Having PlayStation included keeps matchmaking healthy.
Exclusive Cosmetics & Content
Sony collaborates with Epic to provide exclusive Fortnite cosmetics and even limited-time game modes for PlayStation players. This includes outfits like the Blue Striker Pack and free challenges.
No PS Plus Required
Fortnite does not require a paid PlayStation Plus subscription for online play. This lack of a paywall makes Fortnite especially accessible on PlayStation.
PlayStation Bonus Monthly Content
PS Plus subscribers get special Legends Quest Packs for free V-Bucks currency and cosmetics. This members-only perk provides extra value.
With cross-play, exclusive content, and F2P online play, PlayStation provides the ultimate place to enjoy everything Fortnite has to offer. And did I mention it‘s still completely free?
Downloading Fortnite on PlayStation Consoles
Getting started with Fortnite on your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 is quick and easy. Here are step-by-step instructions:
On PlayStation 4
- From the PS4 home screen, go to the PlayStation Store.
- Search for "Fortnite" using the store search bar.
- Select Fortnite from the search results.
- Choose "Download" to install Fortnite onto your console.
- The download size is around 30GB so make sure you have enough storage space.
- Once installed, launch Fortnite from the home screen.
- Follow the on-screen steps to create your free Epic Games account.
- Hop into a match and starting battling!
On PlayStation 5
- From your PS5‘s home screen or game library, search the PlayStation Store for "Fortnite."
- Select Fortnite and choose "Download" or "Free" to install it.
- The download is around 30GB. Confirm you have enough SSD space.
- Once finished, launch Fortnite from your Game Library.
- Create your free Epic Games account if you don‘t already have one.
- Time to drop onto the island and go for that Victory Royale!
It‘s that simple to download on both PlayStation 4 and 5. Within minutes you can be parachuting into your first match. Now let‘s cover some frequently asked PlayStation questions.
FAQs – PlayStation and Fortnite
Let‘s go over some common questions about playing Fortnite on PlayStation:
Is Fortnite actually free on PlayStation?
Yes! The main Fortnite Battle Royale multiplayer mode is 100% free to download and play on PS4, PS5, and every platform. No tricks or hidden charges.
Do I need PlayStation Plus?
Nope! You can play Fortnite online without a paid PlayStation Plus membership. PS Plus is only required for most other paid games.
What‘s included in the free version?
You get full access to Battle Royale core modes, Limited Time modes, and Fortnite Creative for free. The only thing that requires purchase is Save the World PvE.
How much does Fortnite cost on PlayStation?
The base game is free. Optional in-game purchases include the Battle Pass for ~$10 each season and V-Bucks currency starting at $8 for 1,000 V-Bucks. Major bargains!
What‘s the best version for PS4 or PS5?
You can‘t go wrong with either! Both consoles run Fortnite beautifully. The PS5 version has faster load times, higher resolution, and DualSense controller haptic feedback. But PS4 still plays great.
Can I play with friends on other platforms?
For sure! Fortnite fully supports cross-platform multiplayer. Squad up with friends on Xbox, Switch, PC and mobile devices using Epic‘s party system.
How big is the download size?
It‘s around 30-35GB. Make sure you have enough free space on your PlayStation. An external hard drive helps if storage is tight.
That covers the main questions for new players. In summary, Fortnite is totally free on PlayStation, doesn‘t need PS Plus for online play, and supports all your favorite modes and cross-platform teamwork. Time to party up with friends!
Analyzing Fortnite‘s Monetization on PlayStation
Now you might be wondering, how does Fortnite make money if the core game is free? It‘s a smart monetization strategy. Let‘s break it down:
Fortnite uses a "games as a service" model to drive revenue through in-game purchases and Battle Passes, even though the base experience won‘t cost you a dime. Here are the main money-makers:
In-Game Cosmetics
Skins: Outfits let you customize your character‘s appearance – $5 to $20 each
Pickaxes: Harvesting tools for gathering resources – $5 to $15
Gliders: Deploy gliders on match start for a stylish entrance – $5 to $15
Emotes: Show off fun dances and reactions – $3 to $10
Battle Pass
- Seasonal subscription: Unlocks 100 tiers of cosmetics and XP boosts – 950 V-Bucks (~$10)
V-Bucks Currency
- Purchase amounts: 1,000 (+$10), 2,800 (+$25), 5,000 (+$40), 13,500 (+$100)
Fortnite gives tons of ways for players to customize their look and show off. And purchasing cosmetics or the Battle Pass helps fund future development of new content and features. It‘s a win-win!
Now let‘s see how this successful free-to-play model stacks up to competitor games.
How Fortnite on PlayStation Compares to Other F2P Games
Fortnite stands out for being completely free while other popular multiplayer games use different approaches. Here‘s how Fortnite on PlayStation compares:
| Game | Download Fee | Online Multiplayer Fee | Additional Purchases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fortnite | Free | Free (No PS Plus) | Optional Battle Pass and cosmetics |
| Apex Legends | Free | Requires PS Plus | Optional "Battle Pass" subscription and cosmetics |
| Destiny 2 | Free | Requires PS Plus | Expansions like Lightfall and dungeon access has costs |
| Call of Duty: MW | Free | Only on PlayStation | Purchase full game for all modes. Battle Pass and store bundles |
| Genshin Impact | Free | None | Optional currency to acquire characters, battle pass, and progression boost unlocks. |
As you can see, Fortnite stands out for being completely free without any subscription or online play requirements. This sets it apart from competitors and makes it probably the most accessible multiplayer action game available on PlayStation.
The Verdict: Fortnite Isn‘t Going Away Anytime Soon
Given its immense popularity spanning over 5 years now, I don‘t see Fortnite going away anytime soon. Here are a few reasons why Fortnite has staying power:
- Huge player base across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, and mobile
- Constant content updates and seasonal refreshes keeping gameplay fresh
- Massive revenue stream funding ongoing development and esports events
- Cultural phenomenon with dances, concerts, and meme-status
Epic Games has created something special with Fortnite. And making it free-to-play has allowed the game to accumulate a staggering 350 million registered players globally.
While crazy popular free games like Fall Guys have flamed out quickly, Fortnite seems to have unlocked the secret sauce for ongoing relevance. PlayStation players can count on enjoying Epic‘s cartoony last-player-standing shooter for many years into the future.
Time to Jump In!
Hopefully this deep dive clarifies that Fortnite remains 100% free on PlayStation and you‘re ready to give it a shot.
Here are a few final tips as you drop onto the island for your first matches:
- Take time to learn the building controls since constructing cover is so vital
- Play Squads mode first to learn alongside teammates before tackling Solo
- Explore all POIs on the map instead of just landing at one spot
- Do the Daily & Weekly challenges for rewards that unlock Battle Pass content
- Experiment with new weapons each match until you find your favorites
- Victory Royales take time! Have fun and don‘t get discouraged.
Thanks for reading! See you on the island for an epic Boogie Bomb dance party. Good luck getting that Victory Royale!
