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's unlockability, ensuring players can still obtain it.
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 permanently unavailable sparked widespread controversy. This contradicted earlier statements that the style could be unlocked at any time after purchasing the skin and playing on Xbox Series X/S. Epic Games swiftly corrected this, confirming that the Matte Black style remains unlockable as originally intended.
This reversal follows recent scrutiny of Epic Games' practices. The FTC recently issued $72 million in refunds to Fortnite players due to alleged "dark patterns" in the game's design. Player frustration stemmed from the fact that the Matte Black style's removal affected both new and existing Master Chief skin owners.
The Master Chief skin's return is not the only recent source of controversy. The reintroduction of the Renegade Raider skin also caused significant division within the community, with some veteran players threatening to abandon the game. Currently, some players are advocating for an "OG" style for those who purchased the Master Chief skin upon its initial release in 2020, though Epic Games seems unlikely to implement this.
