Exclusivity has always defined Fortnite, with its battle passes and limited-time events driving engagement. This tactic successfully cultivated urgency among players, but recent developments suggest Fortnite exclusivity is being removed.
A Coding Error Sparks Fortnite Exclusivity change
On August 6, 2024, a seemingly ordinary day in Fortnite’s item shop brought an unexpected controversy. Epic Games, inspired by a meme referencing a “Fortnite burger,” intended to include the Order skin alongside the Scout skin. However, due to a coding error, the Paradigm skin—one of Fortnite’s rarest, last seen in Season X—appeared instead. This skin’s return broke the promise of its exclusivity, as it had been marketed as a one-time offering. Although Epic quickly removed Paradigm from the shop, they allowed players who purchased it to keep the skin while granting an exclusive style to its original owners.
This incident highlighted cracks in Fortnite’s exclusivity model. Days later, Epic announced that starting with Chapter 5, Season 4, battle pass items would no longer remain exclusive. Cosmetics from battle passes could now appear in the item shop. This shift likely stemmed from the impending Marvel-themed season, where locking cosmetics behind a battle pass might limit their potential sales. However, the timing—immediately following the Paradigm controversy—raised questions about whether Fortnite was reevaluating its approach to exclusivity altogether.
The OG Era Returns
Fortnite further distanced itself from exclusivity with the introduction of “Chapter 1 OG.” This permanent addition brought back older seasons and hinted at a possible loophole for reintroducing battle passes. Historically, Fortnite maintained that battle passes could only be accessed during their respective seasons. However, the OG pass—featuring original and new skins from Season 1—challenged this rule. Since Season 1 lacked a formal battle pass, Fortnite labeled these items under a different banner, setting a precedent for future re-releases.
Adding fuel to this shift, Epic reintroduced two of the rarest skins in Fortnite history: Renegade Raider and Aerial Assault Trooper. These skins, long considered community legends, were initially available only during Season 1 and required players to meet level requirements before purchase. Their return signaled that even the most exclusive items were no longer untouchable. Players could now acquire these skins until the end of the OG pass’s duration.
Console-exclusive skins, such as Wildcat or Huntmaster Saber, once required players to purchase specific hardware. This exclusivity, while lucrative, often frustrated players. Epic’s recent Cobalt Star bundle for the PS5 marked a departure from this practice. In its announcement, Epic explicitly stated the skin might return to the item shop, signaling an end to strict console exclusivity.
Moreover, even Winterfest presents—traditionally tied to holiday events—are now advertised as non-exclusive. Players can expect these items to return to the item shop, reinforcing Fortnite’s broader shift away from the exclusivity model.
A New Strategy for the Future
Fortnite’s move away from exclusivity represents a strategic pivot. Limited-time items and battle passes generated significant sales through urgency, but non-exclusive items offer repeat revenue opportunities. Reintroducing rare skins and cosmetics caters to both new players and those who missed out initially, fostering broader accessibility.
While Fortnite’s new approach has its critics, the benefits—from increased sales to a more inclusive player base—are clear. As the game continues to evolve, it’s evident that exclusivity is no longer central to its strategy. Fortnite’s identity is shifting, and its embrace of accessibility might just redefine its legacy.
