The gaming landscape is once again set for an unprecedented collaboration as industry heavyweights Epic Games and Capcom announce a significant partnership. The highly anticipated survival horror title, Resident Evil Requiem, is officially crossing over with the global battle royale phenomenon, Fortnite, offering exclusive in-game rewards for players who secure the new horror installment through the Epic Games Store. This strategic move, confirmed just hours after pre-orders went live, solidifies the trend of massive, high-value gaming crossover partnerships and provides a powerful incentive for players navigating the competitive PC game sales market.

The news arrived with the opening of pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem, which is slated for a multi-platform release on February 27, 2026. For the first time in the franchise’s history, the title will be available on the Epic Games Store, a debut Capcom is celebrating with an exclusive Fortnite collaboration. This is far more than a simple Item Shop rotation; it is a direct sales driver designed to leverage Fortnite’s colossal user base, which translates into an excellent strategy for both video game marketing and digital content monetization.

Exclusive Pre-Order Incentives: Grace Ashcroft Outfit Confirmed

The core of the partnership revolves around a lucrative digital bonus. Players who pre-order Resident Evil Requiem through the Epic Games Store will automatically unlock the Grace Ashcroft Outfit in Fortnite. Grace Ashcroft is the new protagonist for Requiem, an FBI agent returning to the haunting vestiges of Raccoon City, continuing the series’ overarching narrative.

This is a particularly potent collaboration, as Fortnite has previously featured successful, high-demand skins from the Resident Evil franchise, including iconic characters like Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Leon Kennedy, and Claire Redfield. The new Grace Ashcroft skin is expected to be a major draw, given the intense player desire for exclusive, limited-time crossover cosmetics.

The exclusive cosmetic is part of a broader strategy. The pre-order announcement from Capcom detailed the following:

  • Pre-order purchasers on the Epic Games Store receive the exclusive Grace Ashcroft Outfit in Fortnite.
  • They also receive the bonus in-game “Apocalypse” Costume for Grace within Resident Evil Requiem.
  • The Fortnite collaboration items are scheduled to be distributed to players in March 2026, following the release of the survival horror title.

Further details on additional collaboration content are anticipated as the February 2026 release date approaches. The integration of a new lead character’s cosmetic into such a prominent battle royale title instantly elevates their visibility and creates a global marketing campaign for the new franchise entry.

Resident Evil Requiem: A Return to the Series’ Roots

The context for this major gaming news is the debut of Resident Evil Requiem itself. The title marks a highly anticipated return to the franchise’s core mythology, specifically the dark history of Raccoon City and the shadowy Umbrella Corporation. It aims to bridge the narrative gap that followed games like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village, appealing to long-time fans seeking a connection to the original saga.

The new game’s focus on FBI Agent Grace Ashcroft, the daughter of a character from the spin-off series Resident Evil Outbreak, suggests a deep dive into the lore. This return to form, combined with the power of the Fortnite collaboration, positions Requiem as one of the most significant upcoming survival horror games of 2026. Game development trends continue to show that leveraging nostalgia and deep lore, while introducing new, marketable characters, is a successful formula.

Analysis of the Fortnite Strategy and High CPC Keywords in Gaming

This particular crossover is a masterclass in modern digital marketing strategy within the gaming industry. Epic Games is not just selling a skin; they are using Fortnite as an exclusive distribution channel for a rival publisher’s pre-order bonuses to drive traffic and revenue to their own store. This approach directly engages a global audience of millions, transforming an exclusive cosmetic into a high-value consumer proposition. Keywords related to this announcement are critical for search engine optimization (SEO) and high Cost Per Click (CPC) value:

Key SEO and CPC Keywords:

  • Fortnite Collaboration: High volume, always relevant.
  • Resident Evil Requiem Pre-order: High commercial intent, crucial for driving sales.
  • Epic Games Store Exclusive: Drives specific platform traffic.
  • New Fortnite Skins: Extremely high search volume and consistent traffic.
  • Survival Horror Games: Broad category keyword with dedicated audience interest.
  • Best Battle Royale Game: Always a high-value, high-traffic term.
  • PC Gaming News: The central pillar of the news delivery.
  • Gaming Crossover Partnerships: Relevant for industry analysis and long-tail searches.
  • Digital Content Monetization: High CPC term related to the business aspect of gaming.

The blending of these keywords naturally into the news piece ensures maximum visibility. The term “Gaming Crossover Partnerships,” for instance, addresses the increasing trend of inter-franchise content that generates massive revenue and buzz, perfectly exemplified by this announcement.

The Impact on the Gaming Market and Epic Games Store Dominance

Capcom’s decision to launch Resident Evil Requiem on the Epic Games Store, coupled with the exclusive Fortnite bonus, is a clear indication of Epic’s increasing influence in the competitive PC storefront market. By offering content that cannot be acquired on Steam, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S pre-orders, Epic has created a compelling purchase path that capitalizes on cross-IP loyalty.

This news is a definitive win for Epic Games in the ongoing storefront war and a testament to the power of a vast, engaged user base like Fortnite’s. The exclusive nature of the Grace Ashcroft Outfit is a powerful lever for influencing consumer choice, making the Epic Games Store the de facto home for many highly-engaged fans looking to collect every piece of Fortnite new Fortnite skins content. Furthermore, the collaboration elevates the perceived value of the Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition content, ensuring strong day-one revenue.