The latest Fortnite controversy led to the removal of the Peaceful Hips Emote, which was part of the Peacemaker collaboration.
Unexpected drama unfolded in the Fortnite scene over the weekend following the announcement that the game would remove the Peacemaker-inspired 'Peaceful Hips' Emote from the game. Rather than removing it from the Item Shop and allowing players to keep it, Epic Games will remove the Emote entirely.
Although Epic Games didn't cite the reason for this removal, it quickly became clear that it was due in part to the context behind the Emote. Here's everything we know about the situation.
Fortnite axes Peacemaker Emote to understand the "creative intentions" behind it
The Peaceful Hips Emote enjoyed just under two weeks following its release before Epic Games pulled the plug. In a surprise statement on the Fortnite Status social media account, the developers stated,
"We're disabling the Peaceful Hips Emote in Fortnite as we inquire into our partner's creative intentions in this collab emote. Assuming it's not coming back, we'll issue refunds in the next few days. Sorry folks."
Anyone familiar with the Peacemaker show should instantly recognize that the dance itself comes directly from the intro, where the lead protagonist dances alongside the other characters in the show.
A post CTropes on X account might explain the real reason Epic Games removed it. In the sixth episode of Peacemaker Season 2, the main character learns he traveled to an alternate dimension where Germany triumphed in World War 2.
The arm movements depicted above are precisely what Fortnite captured and turned into Peacemaker's Peaceful Hips Emote. Once they caught wind of this, Epic Games instantly disabled the Emote and released the statement above, explaining their intention to inquire into the creative intentions behind it.
Is the Emote ever coming back?
Based on the statement, it's safe to assume the Emote will never return to Fortnite. Epic Games has already disabled it and plans to issue refunds to all purchasers. Whether another will appear in its place remains unclear, but it's unlikely.
It's also safe to assume Epic Games will never comment on the Emote again, as is usually the case. However, some fans have called the developers out for their inconsistency. Fortnite recently added an Emote utilizing Ye's music as part of the Kai Cenat collaboration, despite the rap artist's social media tirades and antisemitic remarks.
We'll have to wait and see if anything more comes of the Peacemaker Emote situation, but you may never hear anything about it in the future.
