This week, Fortnite gamers bought their first glimpse at one thing by no means seen within the recreation earlier than: nipples. Particularly, Homer Simpsons’ nipples. And massive ones too, at that.
Sure, an upcoming Fortnite mannequin will characteristic a giant-sized model of Homer carrying simply his underpants, with every little thing else (together with his nipples) on present. Why is that this such an enormous deal to Fortnite’s devoted? Effectively, it is as a result of the sport has refused to depict any form of areola beforehand.
Whereas by no means publicly acknowledged, Fortnite developer Epic Video games has seemingly mandated that its battle royale ought to be nipple-less. The obvious rule was first mentioned amongst followers all the best way again in 2019, when the sport’s high-profile Travis Scott live performance (and his purchasable in-game pores and skin) each confirmed the rapper with a clean, nip-free chest.
Since then, quite a few Fortnite-original characters and an entire parade of different well-known figures have appeared within the recreation shirtless, but in addition nipple-less. A non-exhaustive listing contains God of Battle’s Kratos, Avatar: The Final Airbender’s Aang, WWE’s John Cena, Dragonball Z’s Goku, and Marvel superheroes akin to Drax and The Hulk.
IGN has typically requested Epic Video games if it wish to touch upon the shortage of nipples in Fortnite, however has by no means obtained an official, on-the-record response.
Curiously, we have famous that Fortnite’s nipple-free decree additionally extends to Fortnite’s third-party modes. Earlier this 12 months, Philips launched Physique Royale, a promotional mode designed to spotlight its newest OneBlade shaver. On Philips’ web site, pictures for the product depict its use throughout all forms of physique hair, by male fashions who positively have nipples in actual life.
However inside Fortnite, in Physique Royale, the motion performs out in opposition to the backdrop of an in-game mannequin who’s distinctly nipple-less. Did Philips need to take away the nipples at Epic Video games’ request, to be able to get this expertise within the recreation? (Philips has additionally not responded to IGN’s requests for remark.)
Now, Homer Simpson seems to be set to alter all of that. However why? Is there one thing about Homer’s design that permits his nipples — nothing greater than a pair of black dots — on his animated physique? It appears unlikely — different cel-shaded characters have nonetheless been nipple-less earlier than.
Does The Simpsons include its personal set of name guidelines that require nipples and supercede Epic Video games’ personal? Or maybe there’s one thing particular right here about the truth that nearly-naked Homer’s in-game look has to match up with the identical design proven in The Simpsons’ accompanying Fortnite crossover Disney+ shorts.
Alternatively, followers say, this might all level to one thing of a wider coverage change inside Epic Video games. As Fortnite shifts to its new Chapter Seven period and collaborates with Quentin Tarantino, maybe now’s the time to ease this specific restriction. After nipples, what’s subsequent? If Epic Video games ever acknowledges this, we’ll let you realize.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You may attain Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
