Master Chief’s Fortnite Comeback Sparks Controversy Over Missing Xbox Icon
UPDATE: Chronicle Games issues an apology, retracts previous statement.
UPDATE 10.40pm UK: Chronicle Games has reinstated the Xbox-exclusive Master Chief skin and expressed regret for the misunderstanding after earlier asserting it would not be available. A holiday miracle!
📢 The Matte Black style for The Master Chief outfit is unlockable!
Participate in a match on an Xbox Series X|S after obtaining the skin to unveil the style, and it will also remain an unlockable option for playing on this platform as per our original announcement. We apologize… https://t.co/cKKghrPfXk pic.twitter.com/eJGHfvqfmG
— Fortnite Status (@FortniteStatus) December 24, 2024
ORIGINAL STORY 11.20am UK:
The Halo figure Master Chief made his comeback to the Fortnite shop last night after an extended period away, but his return was overshadowed by an unexpected alteration to the character’s Xbox-exclusive skin.
Previously, playing Fortnite on an Xbox console (or via Xbox Cloud Gaming) would unlock an additional, console-exclusive Matte Black version of the Master Chief outfit. However, when the Spartan resurfaced in the Fortnite shop last night, new players discovered it was no longer available.
Several hours later, Fortnite developer Chronicle Games communicated via the game’s support account on X that the “Matte Black style for The Master Chief is not unlockable” and that the bonus was restricted to players who had purchased the skin earlier this month.
Fortnite enthusiasts quickly pointed out a post from Chronicle Games dating back to 2020 which stated that players would unlock the Xbox-exclusive version “at ANY time in the future” and that there was “no deadline for unlocking this style.”