Snow is falling in Fortnite months ahead of schedule, but instead of spreading cheer, Epic’s unexpected holiday event has players more irritated than merry-and it all ties back to one controversial update.
Characters like Fishstick, Peely, Midas, and Jonesy have become Fortnite’s iconic faces, with fans eagerly awaiting their next makeover – be it a sleek secret agent look or a spooky zombie twist. Yet, nothing quite matches the charm of seeing these favorites don a Santa hat. Christmas skins have long been a massive hit among the community.
Hoping to tap into that festive fever, Fortnite brought back holiday-themed skins for Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, and Shaquille O’Neal in the Item Shop today, playing up the “Christmas in July” theme with a wink. But the move didn’t land as hoped. Players have taken to social media to voice their disappointment, expressing a clear preference for classic Fortnite characters in holiday gear over yet another wave of celebrity cosmetics.
Fortnite Players Blast Epic for Releasing Collab Christmas Skins Instead of Original Characters
Fortnite players are furious with Epic Games after releasing Christmas skins tied to collaborations rather than original characters, sparking resentment that the holiday spirit feels forced and undermined.
In a Reddit post on the FortniteBR subreddit, user darkawful2 shared a screenshot of the current Item Shop, which shows the Christmas skins in context, and slammed the overflow of collab skins being released repeatedly. They wrote, “I get the Christmas in July joke, but I am so tired of seeing the same 50 skins, between icons, collabs, and ‘No sweat.’ Release old skins you forgot about Epic, that people want, or new original ones.”
I get the Christmas in July joke, but I am SO tired of seeing the same 50 skins, between icons, collabs, and “No sweat.” Release old skins you forgot about Epic that people want, or new original ones
byu/darkfawful2 inFortNiteBR
As of now, there are 14 collab skins in the Item Shop, including Dune, Bruno Mars, DC, Mortal Kombat, and the above-mentioned cosmetics.
Why are Fortnite players demanding original Christmas skins
Fortnite players demand original Christmas skins because they crave fresh holiday variants of beloved Epic-created characters like Fishstick, Peely, Midas, and Jonesy over repeated celebrity collabs.
Core Demand
Players favor quirky, Fortnite-original characters in festive outfits, such as Santa hats on classics, which have historically driven high community engagement and spending. These skins embody the game’s unique charm, unlike licensed collabs that feel generic.
Shop Fatigue
The Item Shop overflows with recycled collabs-over 40% in recent months-including Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey, and Shaq’s holiday versions, which rotate frequently without innovation. Fans call this “stale,” urging Epic to release vaulted originals or new creative designs instead.
Community Sentiment
Reddit posts and social feedback highlight frustration that Epic prioritizes monetizable tie-ins, ignoring requests for variety during themed events like “Christmas in July.” Players want Epic to recapture Fortnite’s legacy of goofy, memorable originals that define the game’s identity.
Which original Fortnite characters get Christmas skins most often
Jonesy variants and Fishstick top the list for original Fortnite characters receiving Christmas skins most often, based on historical Item Shop rotations and holiday events.
Frequent Jonesy Variants
Jonesy, Fortnite’s default everyman, gets festive makeovers repeatedly due to his popularity and versatility.
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Red-Nosed Ranger (2018): Reindeer-themed with antlers and red nose.
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Lt. Evergreen (2019): Christmas tree disguise.
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Cozy Jonesy (2020): Sweater-clad holiday look.
Fishstick Standouts
Fishstick, the beloved fish-man icon, sees multiple holiday returns emphasizing his goofy charm.
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Fa-La-La-La-Fishstick: Signature Christmas elf version.
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Merry Fishmas: Striped elf outfit, highly requested in rotations.
Other Regulars
Gingerbread-themed duo (Ginger Gunner and Merry Marauder) and Nog Ops recur yearly for their classic appeal. Peely’s Polar Peely adds banana-flavored festivity. These originals rotate more than collabs, fueling demands for fresh spins.
