In a surprising turn of events, *Fortnite* has reinstated the unlockable Matte Black style for The Master Chief skin following intense community backlash. This decision marks a reversal of Epic Games' earlier announcement, which had declared the style unavailable. The change is a significant relief for *Fortnite* fans who were eagerly anticipating the return of The Master Chief skin but were disappointed by the initial decision.
December is always an exciting time for *Fortnite* enthusiasts, with the Winterfest event bringing new NPCs, quests, and items to the game. This year's event has been largely well-received, although the return of certain skins has sparked controversy. Amidst this backdrop, Epic Games provided an update on the status of The Master Chief skin.
Through a recent tweet, *Fortnite* shared the good news with players eager to unlock The Master Chief skin. The skin, which debuted in *Fortnite* in 2020 and quickly became a fan favorite, was last seen in the Item Shop in 2022. Its anticipated return in 2024 was overshadowed by Epic Games' initial announcement on December 23 that the Matte Black style would no longer be available. This style was originally unlockable by simply playing the game on Xbox Series X/S after purchasing the skin. However, Epic Games has now confirmed that players can still unlock the Matte Black style, in line with the original announcement.
The Master Chief Skin Had a Controversial Return to Fortnite
The initial announcement regarding the Matte Black style did not sit well with *Fortnite* fans, who expressed concerns about potential repercussions from the FTC, especially in light of the recent $72 million in refunds issued to *Fortnite* players for Epic Games' use of "dark patterns." The backlash was fueled by the fact that the change impacted both new buyers and those who had purchased the skin back in 2020, effectively preventing them from unlocking the style.
This isn't the only skin causing a stir in *Fortnite*. The return of the Renegade Raider skin also sparked controversy, with some long-time players threatening to quit over the move. Additionally, some *Fortnite* fans are now calling for an OG style for those who bought The Master Chief skin at its launch. While Epic Games has addressed the Matte Black style issue, the likelihood of introducing an OG style remains low.
