Following significant player backlash, Fortnite has reinstated the unlockable Matte Black style for the Master Chief skin. Epic Games reversed its initial decision, confirming players can now unlock the style as intended.
The return of the Master Chief skin, initially a popular addition in 2020, had been highly anticipated by the Fortnite community. While December's Winterfest event has been generally well-received, the initial announcement regarding the Matte Black style's removal sparked considerable controversy.
Epic Games' December 23rd announcement that the Matte Black style would be unavailable contradicted earlier promises. The original 2020 announcement stated the style could be unlocked at any time by Xbox Series X/S players owning the skin. This reversal prompted negative reactions, with some players citing potential FTC violations. The FTC recently issued $72 million in refunds to Fortnite players due to "dark patterns" employed by Epic Games. The community's dissatisfaction stemmed from the impact on both new and existing Master Chief skin owners.
This isn't the first recent skin-related controversy. The Renegade Raider skin's return also caused friction, with veteran players threatening to abandon the game. Currently, some players are requesting an "OG" style for original Master Chief skin purchasers, although Epic Games' response to this remains unlikely. While the Matte Black style issue has been resolved, the lingering demand for an OG style highlights ongoing community concerns.
