Fortnite skin age ratings have been added to the game, why are some cosmetics getting locked out of players games and what does it mean?
Fortnite skins are one of the most important parts of the game for a lot of players. These add more than color, it’s a way for some players to express themselves in-game too. Fortnite skin age ratings have just been added into a game though. Now, certain skins are locked for players of different ages. Including some of the rarest Fortnite skins, now much more difficult to show off.
A lot of players have been surprised by the addition of age ratings for Fortnite skins. For most of the run of the game, Epic has only released skins which can be used by anyone. Essentially removing the need for any different age ratings. However, more recently they’ve begun to apply different age ratings to different areas of the game. If we look at why they’ve instituted these age ratings blocks, we get a better idea of why some skin age ratings have been added.
Out of the banned Fortnite skins, there are some bizarre inclusions. It is difficult to see the thread. However, there are some explanations out there.
Fortnite Skin Age Ratings – Why are Some Skins Locked?
In the most recent update, we’ve seen the FN Chapter 7 content added to Battle Royale. While record player numbers are jumping in to relive Chapter 1, Epic has been cooking something in other parts of the game. Their recent expansion into a more Roblox style platform with UnrealFN Maps have seen a greater variety of experiences pop up in Battle Royale. With that, comes changes to the age rating.
These maps have more recently required their creators to set an age limit. Fortnite’s player base is big, and not everything is suitable for all players. These different age ratings allow content which can be outside of the general family friendly game. More recently, this same system has just been applied to skins. In some modes there are now quite a few banned Fortnite skins.
When players now jump into Fortnite, they’ll see some things blocked out depending on their age. This new add-ion means players under certain ages won’t be exposed to certain skins. If you’re on a map which can include younger players, you can no longer use skins that aren’t widely accessible. Frustratingly, rather than simply render the player in the skin as a default with a corresponding hitbox (Something that routinely happens in Battle Royale anyway), it instead doesn’t let you use the skin if it’s possible younger players will be around. Why have Epic introduced Fortnite skin age ratings?
Why Are Some Skins Locked?
That’s what is happening with the Fortnite skin age ratings implementation, but why has Epic made this change? The game doesn’t just have standard skins suitable for everyone anymore. Lately, Epic has had some crossovers and designs which push things a bit. More recent skins like the Michael Myers Fortnite skinhave pushed how family friendly your average Fortnite lobby is. Yet, that skin (maybe the most adult Fortnite has ever gotten) isn’t included in the banned Fortnite skin.
These kinds of skins are fun for those who want to buy them and play as that character. However, Epic doesn’t want more “adult” looks in all maps. The new system allows skins to be divided up and only accessible in content that’s age limited.
This doesn’t mean the change has been welcomed though. Some players are asking for refunds. How to refund items in Fortnite is simple, but you have a limited amount of items you can return. Which skins are effected and what difference will it make if you wear it?
Banned Fortnite SkIns List
The Fortnite age rating banned skins have meant quite a few skins won’t be as widely playable. These are some of the limited skins at the moment.
- Black Widow
- Carnage
- Deadpool
- Doctor Doom
- Eddie Brock
- Venom
- Harly Quinn
- The Batman who Laughs
- Midas (and variants)
- The Visitor
- Drift
- Marshmello
- Leon Kennedy
- Lara Croft
- All Resident Evil Skins
- Boro
- Predator
- The Seven
- Agent Peely
- Some Superhero Skins
- Hopper
- Mince Meat
- Some generic anime skins
- Meowscles
- Will Smith
- Nathan Drake
- Nolan Chance
- Zombie Peely
- Diver Jonsey
- Rick Grimes
- TNTina
- Terminator
- Demagorgon
- Predator
Those aren’t all of the skins, but you can probably see what part of the problem is already. The Fortnite skins are ratings have banned often don’t seem to have a coherent theme. Michael Myers is fine, but a friendly guy made out of jelly is not? It is a strange choice.
Some popular skins like Fortnite Chun Li are still okay, but others seem to have banned despite being completely safe. A trend seems to be skins associated with guns, but in a game with weaponry as a core mechanic it’s difficult to understand where Epic is drawing the line.
What Makes a Skin Age Inappropriate?
Looking at the banned Fortnite skins, there’s some obvious inclusions like monsters. Although, some are baffling. Some of the Fortnite anime skins are included, super hero skins, even Peely in a suit! Quite a few of these seem excluded for no real reason. Where do we go from here?
Since Epic is changing these things because of an age rating, it might not be reversed. They’ve gone as far as changing the season’s key art loading in more recently too, because characters are holding guns.
Epic seems intent on pushing the Fortnite is Roblox now angle, even as bringing back OG Battle Royale gets them a new high in player numbers. However, with the focus increasingly on creative experiences these changes probably won’t get reversed anytime soon. Hopefully Epic can figure something out, or they might be facing a whole lot of refund requests in coming weeks.
