Fortnite Debuts Major Update for 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 ongoing Winterfest event, which, despite generally positive reception, has seen some controversy surrounding skin returns.

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

Controversy Surrounding the Master Chief Skin's Return

The initial announcement drew criticism, with some players suggesting potential FTC repercussions. This follows the FTC's recent $72 million refund 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, preventing even those who purchased the skin in 2020 from unlocking the Matte Black style.

This isn't the only recent skin-related controversy. The Renegade Raider skin's return also caused division, with some veteran players threatening to leave the game. Currently, some fans are requesting an "OG" style for original Master Chief skin purchasers, a request Epic Games seems unlikely to fulfill, despite resolving the Matte Black style issue.