Fortnite fans are up in arms over Epic’s decision to sell a new version of a previously Battle Pass-exclusive character via the in-game store.
Players argue this goes against Epic’s long-standing promise never to sell Battle Pass content outside of the pass and that, while the two skins differ, this character was one only available to season 5 Battle Pass owners.
The skin in question – Summer Drift – is a beachwear version of Drift, Fortnite’s poster boy for season 5.
In his new, beach-ready guise, Summer Drift sports a tan, shorts and a flowery lei. Eagle-eyed fans will note his new necklace – adorned with his trademark Kitsune mask – and new leg tattoo.
Summer Drift went on sale today at the standard legendary skin price of 1500 V-bucks (you can buy 1000 V-bucks for £8 or 2500 V-bucks for £20). And the complaints immediately started.
On the one hand, Fortnite has sold new versions of old skins already (Love Ranger and the ice-themed Frozen Ranger, Brite Bomber and the Kevin-themed Dark Bomber). But these skins did not originate in a Battle Pass.
Fortnite also regularly adds new styles (sometimes, effectively, entirely new skins) to existing characters – which people who own them already then get for free (the hugely-popular Fishstick, for example, received both season 8 and 9 styles long after his initial release).