Following community outcry, Fortnite reverses its decision to remove the unlockable Matte Black style for the Master Chief skin.

Initially, Epic Games announced the Matte Black style would no longer be obtainable, sparking significant backlash from players. This reversal comes during Fortnite's busy December, a month filled with Winterfest events and new content. While the Winterfest has been generally well-received, the Master Chief skin's altered availability caused controversy.

Fortnite's December 23rd announcement regarding the Matte Black style's unavailability contradicted earlier statements. The style, initially promised as unlockable for Xbox Series X/S players upon purchasing the skin (first released in 2020 and last available in the Item Shop in 2022), was unexpectedly removed. Epic Games has since corrected this, confirming the Matte Black style remains unlockable as originally intended.

The Master Chief Skin's Controversial Return

The initial announcement drew considerable criticism, with some players suggesting potential FTC repercussions. This follows the FTC's recent $72 million refund to Fortnite players due to alleged "dark patterns" employed by Epic Games. The change affected both new and existing Master Chief skin owners, adding to the dissatisfaction.

This isn't the only recent skin-related controversy. The return of the Renegade Raider skin also divided the community, with some long-time players threatening to abandon the game. Currently, some players 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.