Compared to its initial release in 2017, Fortnite has become unrecognizable from its original state. What started as a PvE horde survival shooter has evolved into one of the most influential games in the battle royale genre. Fortnite has consistently reinvented itself to keep the experience fresh for long-time fans while generating more appeal for a new audience. These efforts have mostly been successful, but some didn’t stick the landing with some players.
The spike in Fortnite’s popularity is in part thanks to the many collaborations with other brands and franchises, including Nike and Marvel. Some of the game’s past Battle Passes include these third-party characters, such as last season’s Star Wars Battle Pass. However, the collaboration in this current Battle Pass has stirred some controversy, and this isn’t the first time.
Related
Fortnite Chapter 6 Season 3 Chest Requires a Lot of Patience
One peculiar Fortnite chest is gaining some attention from the community, as it requires a lot of patience to open it in the popular battle royale.
Fortnite’s “Super” Season Has Made Major Changes to the Battle Pass
DC Skins Are Back on the Battle Pass
Fortnite Chapter 6: Season 3 started on May 2, 2025. Following on from the Star Wars theme of last season’s Galactic Battle, this season’s “Super” theme reintroduces DC characters to the Battle Pass. DC’s collaborations with Fortnite have dwindled in recent years, so having two of its characters front and center in this season’s Battle Pass is proof that the Fortnite and DC crossovers are back and here to stay.
While Tim Drake’s Robin is available to all Battle Pass purchasers immediately as the season’s Level 1 skin, Superman is this season’s Bonus Outfit, unlocked by completing quests after he fully releases on July 11. This isn’t the first time the character has appeared in the Battle Pass, also acting as the Bonus Outfit for Chapter 2: Season 7, with the difference being that this new iteration is based on the upcoming Superman movie, which releases on the same date as the Fortnite skin.
Superman Battle Pass Bundle Controversy
Patient players will need to wait until July 11 before they can unlock the skin, but those looking to unlock the character can now buy the Battle Pass Bundle upgrade, giving them immediate access to Superman, as well as 25 rewards from the Battle Pass. This bundle costs an additional 1,800 V-Bucks on top of the initial Battle Pass purchase, so players will need to carefully consider if paying early is worth it to them.
Where the problems start with this timed-exclusive skin is that it feels insincere. If the skin is ready to use for players who pay extra, making the rest of the game’s audience wait for its release is arbitrary. This kind of practice is reminiscent of the heavily criticized early access release dates for deluxe editions of games. Players may feel compelled to purchase these versions to avoid spoilers posted by those who paid extra, and in the case of Fortnite, seeing lobbies full of Superman skins could pressure players into paying the premium so that they don’t miss out. In a multiplayer-focused game, creating a divide in the community based on currency could harm the whole playerbase.
What makes matters worse is that the content is clearly not ready and has been an active hindrance to the accounts of purchasers. Rather than giving buyers of the Battle Pass Bundle the new Super Cape Back Bling, many have been incorrectly given the original Superman cape from Chapter 2: Season 7. In correcting this issue, Epic Games has replaced the item from these accounts with the new version, including those who earned the original cape when it was initially released. The issue has been investigated, but this lack of preparation has harmed the experience of players who have paid extra.
The cost of this season’s Battle Pass Bundle is the same as previous bundles, despite those of the past not including early access to the Bonus Outfits of their respective seasons. Whether this change to the Battle Pass is a permanent fixture is still unknown, but it could present problems moving forward. Particularly, it could pressure players into buying the bundle early to match their squad or others in the lobby, subtly advertising the bundle with each play session.
Related
Epic Games Just Made a Controversial Change to Fortnite OG
Epic Games shocked and divided its player base by making a controversial change to the newly released throwback mode, Fortnite OG.
The Superman Bundle Problem Isn’t Fortnite’s First Controversy
The paid early access to the new Superman skin is just one controversy in a long line of recent Battle Pass controversies. One of these was the price increase for the standard Battle Pass, which used to cost 950 V-Bucks. Now, players must spend 1,000 V-Bucks to access premium Battle Pass content. Though this change doesn’t seem too drastic, it has presented a major problem for some players with 50 V-Bucks remaining on their account. Accounts with a balance of 950 V-Bucks would need to overspend just to receive the 50 V-Bucks necessary for the Battle Pass.
This increase in the Battle Pass price has affected players in some regions more than others. In 2023, V-Bucks became more expensive for all players, but the cost of V-Bucks in some countries increased again last year. The additional cost of 50 V-Bucks could seem inconsequential, but when players are already spending more real money on the in-game currency, it all has an effect.
Along with changes to the Battle Pass price came changes to the Fortnite Crew membership. Players used to be able to pay $11.99 for a one-month subscription to get access to the Battle Pass until the season ends. With the changes, players now get access to all ongoing passes with their Fortnite Crew membership, but there was a catch. To keep access to each of their passes, players would need to stay subscribed. Otherwise, they would no longer be able to collect premium rewards until they reactivate their subscription or buy the pass with V-Bucks.
Fortnite’s Superman Battle Pass Bundle is sure to be exciting for fans wanting to secure a Victory Royale as the Man of Steel early, but it presents a troubling precedent moving forward. The timed exclusivity granted to the players who pay extra further contributes to Fortnite’s other Battle Pass exclusivity issues that need to be reconsidered. Considering that these customers are also having issues with the content they paid for, continuing on with this trend in the future could be troubling.
Fortnite
- Released
-
September 26, 2017
- ESRB
-
T for Teen – Violence
- Engine
-
Unreal Engine 5