Fortnite Makes Another Big Change to Master Chief Skin

Following significant player backlash, Fortnite has reinstated the unlockable Matte Black style for the Master Chief skin. Epic Games reversed its initial decision to remove the style, making it once again attainable for players.

The Master Chief skin's return in December 2024, during Fortnite's Winterfest event, was initially met with excitement. However, the subsequent announcement on December 23rd that the Matte Black style would be unavailable sparked considerable controversy within the community. This contradicted earlier statements that the style would remain unlockable for Xbox Series X/S players after purchasing the skin. Epic Games swiftly corrected this, confirming the Matte Black style's continued accessibility as originally promised.

This reversal follows the recent FTC-mandated refund of $72 million 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, as the change affected everyone regardless of purchase date.

The Master Chief skin's return isn't the only recent source of contention. The reintroduction of the Renegade Raider skin also caused a stir, with veteran players threatening to abandon the game. While the Matte Black style issue has been resolved, requests for an original (OG) style for launch-day Master Chief skin owners remain unlikely to be fulfilled by Epic Games.