Over the past few weeks, fans have praised Fortnite’s OG update, which brought the game’s original map back after several years. Now, however, the Fortnite community is up in arms once again after the game’s latest feature was announced.
Today, Epic Games announced that all Fortnite islands will now have age ratings via a post on the Fortnite website, something we already knew was in the works. What has fans angry, though, is that it also gives every cosmetic item an age rating, and if an item is not compatible with an island’s rating, it cannot be equipped within that island (and becomes replaced by a default item if already equipped).
“This is to help parents and players make informed play decisions about the thousands of games and other experiences in Fortnite,” the post reads.
[Update: Fortnite’s developers have since released an update statement, “More on today’s rating announcement. About 7% of Fortnite Outfits can only be equipped in islands rated Teen. Over the next year we will enable most of these Outfits to be compatible with all ratings by having them auto-adjust appearance based on the island you want to play.”]
It’s worth noting that Battle Royale and Zero Build are rated T for Teen, which means there will be no comestic restrictions in those modes. Still, many have slammed the decision to restrict paid cosmetics across certain islands.
“Might be the worst update in the history of the game,” wrote @archer_fortnite on X/Twitter.
might be the worst update in the history of the game
restricting cosmetics that you have to PAY for is insane Epic
even Music Packs and Loading Screens are restricted, and only YOU can see those. pic.twitter.com/zZCYEb2QeP
— archer | Fortnite: Save the World (@archer_fortnite) November 16, 2023
Others have suggested that the decision might even “destroy Fortnite” or its community.
Tim Sweeney on his way to single-handedly destroy Fortnite with one update: #FortniteChapter1 #FortniteOG #RevertTheUpdate pic.twitter.com/EoVQH4p5Cw
— ZaTa (OG) (@NiteMilky) November 16, 2023
Me opening twitter this morning to see how the new #fortnite update is treating everyone. pic.twitter.com/vwRSBbTVme
— Tom Jank (@thomasjanky) November 16, 2023
There’s even a petition online to get Epic to “re-evaluate” the age restriction system, which has 2,720 signatures at press time.
This isn’t the only safety feature that Fortnite is currently rolling out — this morning, Epic Games also added a new voice report feature that lets players clip audio and file anonymous reports. Despite these changes, though, Fortnite has been returning to its roots with its current “OG” update, which brings back the game’s original map and even helped the game reach its highest number of daily players.
Amelia Zollner is a freelance writer at IGN who loves all things indie and Nintendo. Outside of IGN, they’ve contributed to sites like Polygon and Rock Paper Shotgun. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.
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