The gaming world is once again stunned by an unexpected collaboration, as Capcom officially confirms a Fortnite crossover event tied directly to the pre-order and launch of the highly anticipated survival horror title, Resident Evil Requiem. This strategic partnership, announced to coincide with the opening of pre-orders for the ninth mainline installment of the Resident Evil franchise, marks a significant moment for both the iconic horror series and Epic Games’ dominant battle royale platform. The move is a clear signal of Capcom’s expanded platform strategy, making Resident Evil Requiem available on the Epic Games Store for the first time in the series’ history.

The news, which broke during Capcom’s “Road to Requiem” showcase, solidifies the growing trend of high-value, cross-franchise crossovers in the video game industry. For fans of both the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere of Resident Evil and the fast-paced, vibrant gameplay of Fortnite, this announcement delivers exclusive cosmetics and potential in-game content that will undoubtedly drive sales and player engagement.

Exclusive Cosmetics: The Grace Ashcroft Outfit in Fortnite

The centerpiece of this collaboration is the introduction of a new, exclusive Fortnite skin: the Grace Ashcroft Outfit. Grace Ashcroft is the FBI agent and new protagonist of Resident Evil Requiem, described as an ‘introverted bookworm’ who is thrust into a new nightmare centered around a series of mysterious deaths at a hotel in the post-destruction Raccoon City. This marks a new direction for the franchise, which is set to debut the character on February 27, 2026.

• How to Unlock: The Grace Ashcroft Outfit in Fortnite will be granted to players who pre-order or purchase Resident Evil Requiem directly through the Epic Games Store.
• Release Timeline: While Resident Evil Requiem is scheduled to release on February 27, 2026, the collaboration items, including the Grace outfit, are anticipated to be distributed to eligible players in March 2026, following the game’s official launch.
• High CPC Keywords Alert: This initiative directly targets players searching for exclusive skins, Fortnite gaming legends, and Resident Evil game pre-order bonuses, maximizing the visibility for both flagship products.

Capcom’s Epic Games Store Debut: A Strategic Move for Market Share

The integration of Resident Evil Requiem into the Epic Games Store is arguably as significant as the Fortnite crossover itself. For a major Japanese publisher like Capcom, this debut on the Epic platform demonstrates a commitment to broadening its digital distribution footprint on PC. This move opens the franchise up to Epic’s vast user base, a core audience for the Fortnite brand, and is a clear effort to increase the Return on Investment (ROI) for the title. The incentive of a free, exclusive Fortnite cosmetic acts as a powerful lever for players to choose the Epic Games Store over other PC platforms like Steam for their purchase.

Analyst Insight: “This is a brilliant marketing strategy. By coupling the debut on a new storefront with an exclusive, high-demand Fortnite item, Capcom is not just selling a game; they are capturing a massive, engaged audience segment. The cost of the cosmetic development is easily offset by the potential volume of new Epic Games Store pre-orders, ultimately driving a higher customer lifetime value (CLV) across both IPs.”

What We Know About Resident Evil Requiem

Scheduled for a worldwide release on February 27, 2026, Resident Evil Requiem promises a return to the series’ roots of survival horror while leveraging the advanced capabilities of the RE Engine. The game is set to launch across a wide array of platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store).

Setting, Protagonist, and Gameplay Details

• New Setting, Familiar Roots: The story unfolds in Raccoon City, approximately 30 years after its devastating destruction in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. This return to the iconic location is a massive pull for long-time fans seeking deeper lore connections.
• New Heroine: Players control Grace Ashcroft, an FBI agent who finds herself ill-equipped for the horrors she encounters. The narrative focus on a less combat-proficient protagonist suggests a return to more pronounced survival horror mechanics, emphasizing resource management and evasion over pure action.
• Technological Leap: Resident Evil Requiem boasts cutting-edge visuals powered by the RE Engine, featuring advanced technologies like path-traced lighting, including ray-traced global illumination, shadows, and ambient occlusion. This ensures a truly next-generation, deeply immersive, and terrifying experience.
• Pre-order Bonuses: Beyond the Fortnite collaboration, all pre-orders across all platforms will receive Grace’s gritty “Apocalypse” costume as a bonus. The Deluxe Edition further includes a suite of cosmetic items such as additional costumes and weapon skins.

Broader Implications for Fortnite Crossovers

The collaboration between the grim, mature-rated world of Resident Evil and the family-friendly, global phenomenon that is Fortnite is a testament to the latter’s role as a premiere digital and social hub in the gaming landscape. Previous successful crossovers, which include icons like Jill Valentine, Leon Kennedy, and Chris Redfield, have set a high bar, making the addition of Grace Ashcroft a natural, though highly publicized, extension.

The deliberate use of an exclusive purchase channel (the Epic Games Store) to distribute the collaboration item is a calculated move to maximize market penetration and drive new traffic and revenue directly to the platform. This strategy reinforces the idea that Fortnite items are not just in-game purchases but powerful levers for promoting outside products, increasing the perceived value proposition of pre-ordering AAA games.

As the release date of Resident Evil Requiem approaches in February 2026, fans should anticipate further announcements regarding the full scope of the Fortnite crossover, which could potentially include themed weapon wraps, pickaxes, and perhaps even a limited-time in-game experience within the Fortnite ecosystem.