Epic Games has stirred up the Fortnite community by removing the skin of The Peacemaker, the character played by John Cena, following a controversial development in the plot of the HBO series in which he appears. The collaboration, which introduced both the character’s outfit and an associated dance emote, was compromised after the plot twist revealed in the sixth episode of the second season, where a parallel reality is exposed in which the United States lives under a Nazi regime.
Too Many Nazis for the Virtuous Fortnite
The gesture in question, known as Peaceful Hips, has been the subject of controversy due to its similarity to symbolism related to Nazism, evoking images from works such as Disney’s short film Der Fuehrer’s Face. In light of this dilemma, Epic Games has decided to disable the gesture while investigating the creative intent behind its inclusion in the collaboration. Additionally, the company announced that refunds will be issued to players who purchased the gesture in case it does not return to the game.
The reactions from players have been mixed. Some fans have criticized Epic for what they consider a double standard, recalling that other characters and elements with controversial pasts have remained in the game. On the other hand, there are those who defend the company’s decision, arguing that the gesture could lead to misunderstandings and offend the community.
This is not the first time that Fortnite has faced a similar situation. In 2020, the game removed a character whose design evoked the SS, suggesting Epic Games’ continued approach to carefully manage content related to National Socialism. Despite the controversy, the company has kept the door open for the possible return of the gesture in the future.
