#GamingBytes: Fortnite brings Chicken to celebrate Thanksgiving
What's the story
Thanksgiving was celebrated in the US yesterday and Fortnite, which is more of a cultural phenomenon than just a Battle Royale game, also pitched in. The studio, Epic put its own spin on the traditional Thanksgiving turkey, adding Chicken skins and items to the game shop. Notably, data miners had uncovered hints of this in the v6.30 files. Read about it here.
Tender Defender
All about the topical outfit
The new outfit is called the Tender Defender skin and is part of the set titled Fowl Play. It costs 1500 V-Bucks, the in-game currency, and comes with a back bling called Hatchback. The Hatchback is basically a slightly cracked egg, the Tender Defender puts on its back. The wide-eyed chicken skin was conceptualized by an 8-year-old fan and had gained popularity on Reddit.
Other items
Other chicken themed items in Fortnite
Among other chicken themed items, is the Scrambler. It is described as an uncommon harvesting tool and costs 500 V-Bucks. It is basically an egg-beater. Lastly, the Flappy Flier is a rare glider costing 800 V-Bucks. What is really cool is that it is a chicken clutching a spoon and fork in its talons, and purchasing this glider makes it emerge from an egg.
Epic's business plan
Two birds with one stone?
Epic might have introduced the new outfit and items as a nod to Thanksgiving. However, other evidence suggests that it marks a collaboration between KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) and Fortnite. Notably, the latter theory makes more sense as the outfit is a chicken and not a turkey. Moreover, when Fortnite had teased the items in its tweet, KFC replied about having eyes on them.
Information
All about KFC, Epic's collaboration
KFC had announced a gaming division called KFC Gaming on September 28. The teaser video had shown multiple games, including Fortnite. Now with the flurry of tweets exchanged and the new store items, it appears that the two will be formally collaborating.