Kim Kardashian’s Fortnite moment spells change for Epic’s global juggernaut

The Fortnite and Kim Kardashian collab came as something of a shock. Appearing as part of Chapter 7, Season 1, the influencer could be bought as an avatar for 1,500 V-Bucks, or as part of a bundle for 3,000 back in December, which included a ring light, a beat bush, and more. The collab was a huge success, with over 3 million players buying the bundle, but it has some significant ramifications for Fortnite’s future. 

First appearing as part of the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians in 2007, Kim and the family have become the definition of an influencer. However, while this collaboration may seem strange to some, it is indicative of a shift in developer Epic Games’ priorities as it seeks to move the global juggernaut from video game to full-on social platform.

Giving Iconic?

The number of collabs that Fortnite has been part of is nothing short of impressive. Over the last several months, players have been able to purchase items from franchises like The Simpsons, Back to the Future, Power Rangers, and more from the Item Shop. Being in teams where you’re playing with Master Chief, Lara Croft, and more is now considered the norm.

It’s no surprise, then, that there are roughly 3.5 million users who bought the Kim Kardashian iconic skin and bundles. The Kardashian empire is huge, with a reported net worth of around $1 billion, thanks to TV appearances, brand deals, and now, Fortnite collabs.

But now that the Kim Kardashian Fortnite Icon Bundle has disappeared for now, that’s not to say it couldn’t make a comeback with more accessories to use – or even new bundles featuring other Kardashians like Khloé, Kourtney, or even Kendall Jenner. One can’t help but feel that this bundle could open the floodgates for more to appear in Fortnite soon.

However, some have wondered if this is a tipping point for Fortnite collabs. Essentially, a reality TV star, who initially found fame by releasing a sex tape in 2007, is now part of Epic Games’ free-to-play battle royale game.

Ambitious is their middle name

Though the inclusion of Kim Kardashian may seem like a stark departure for Fortnite, the move is not as mysterious as it might first appear. 

Like most Fortnite collabs, Kim Kardashian’s inclusion is rooted in one central factor: nostalgia. 

Times change, and the Kardashians are at a point where they’re almost nostalgic to a large base of fans, seeing as their original show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, debuted in 2007. Buying a Kim Icon bundle can feel like reliving part of a childhood for some.

Anybody who’s purchased a Lara Croft or Master Chief skin has already walked the same path. Nostalgia can feel like a warm blanket, reliving memories from the past that involved these characters. The Kardashians also fall into this bracket now, which is why we suspect the Kim Icon Bundle was a massive success for her and Fortnite.

Kim Kardashian in Fortnite isn’t a signal of the game jumping the shark with its collabs. Instead, it signposts that Fortnite is broadening its horizons. 

Epic clearly seeks to turn Fortnite into a more holistic reflection of pop culture in its entirety. While Kim Kardashian’s inclusion doesn’t speak to a degradation of the battle royale’s quality, it does speak to an ongoing cultural transformation in the Fortnite landscape. 

As 2026 gets underway, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more influencers and reality TV stars appear in Fortnite. Kim Kardashian’s inclusion isn’t a jump-the-shark moment; it’s simply the latest move in a longstanding effort from Epic to widen its net as much as possible. 

FAQs