Fortnite Makes Another Big Change to Master Chief Skin

Following community outcry, Fortnite reverses its decision to remove the unlockable Matte Black style for the Master Chief skin.

Initially, Fortnite announced the Matte Black style would be unavailable, sparking significant backlash. This reversal comes amidst the holiday season's Winterfest event, which, despite generally positive reception, saw this skin-related controversy.

The Master Chief skin, a popular addition to Fortnite since 2020, returned to the Item Shop in 2024. The December 23rd announcement regarding the Matte Black style's removal contradicted earlier promises that it would remain unlockable for Xbox Series X/S players. Epic Games has since corrected this, confirming the Matte Black style remains accessible as originally intended.

Controversy Surrounding the Master Chief Skin's Return

The initial announcement angered many fans, with some citing potential FTC violations. This follows a recent $72 million refund issued by the FTC to Fortnite players due to "dark patterns" used by Epic Games. The dissatisfaction stemmed from the change impacting both new and existing Master Chief skin owners.

This isn't the only recent skin-related controversy. The return of the Renegade Raider skin also caused a stir, with some veteran players threatening to abandon the game. Currently, some players are requesting an "OG" style for those who purchased the Master Chief skin at launch, a request Epic Games is unlikely to fulfill despite resolving the Matte Black style issue.