Compared to its initial release in 2017,Fortnitehas 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.Fortnitehas 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 inFortnite’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 aslast 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.
Fortnite’s “Super” Season Has Made Major Changes to the Battle Pass
DC Skins Are Back on the Battle Pass
FortniteChapter 6: Season 3 started on May 24, 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 withFortnitehave dwindled in recent years, so having two of its characters front and center in this season’s Battle Pass is proof that theFortniteand DC crossovers are backand 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 theBonus Outfit for Chapter 2: Season 7, with the difference being that this new iteration is based on the upcomingSupermanmovie, which releases on the same date as theFortniteskin.
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 themimmediate 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 theheavily criticized early access release datesfor 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 ofFortnite, 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 beenincorrectly given the original Superman capefrom 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 thischange to the Battle Passis 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.
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 spend1,000 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 thecost of V-Bucks in some countriesincreased 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.
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 toFortnite’s other Battle Pass exclusivity issuesthat 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.
