Fortnite released a Battle Pass item to shop, causing a huge backlash among the fans

Nobody likes their stuff being removed due to an error, even when recompensed. Of course that stings, and Fortnite players had to endure just that recently. To put context, there was an error in the Item Shop today that allowed players to get an item that was reserved for those who have earned it through the Battle Pass.

Players have lost what they shouldn’t have had

As mentioned, an item that was part of the Battle Pass somehow found its way to Fortnite’s Item Shop. Funnily enough, the item is on the free portion of the track, so anyone could have earned it by playing the game. 

This news comes to us via Fortnite Status on X, explaining that the Swim Free Lobby Track was available in the Item Shop and that some players have even bought it. Of course, this was a mistake that was quickly rectified and the music item was removed.

Epic Games has acknowledged the mistake and took action to remove the item from the shop. In addition, it will be removed from the Lockers of all players who have bought it over the next week. All V-Bucks spent to purchase or gift the item will be reimbursed. Meanwhile, all players who have earned the the Swim Free Lobby Track through the Battle Pass will, of course, keep the item as normal. 

A mistake snowballs into reactions over Battle Pass exclusivity

On the surface, this error could’ve been over with after the acknowledgement and incoming fix. But many in the community have taken it a step further, arguing that the true problem lies in Battle Pass exclusivity, especially over items that were available years ago – which isn’t even the case for the item in question.

Many Fortnite fans have come out in agreement that BP items of yesteryear should be available to buy for V-Bucks. Fortnite Furry Bait argues that would make Epic more money and most other players wouldn’t care about exclusivity anyway.

Many others have chimed in, with Lirian Playz proclaiming “Abolish Battle Pass exclusivity”. Then Taka added “Bruh but why? As someone who’s bought every pass, Just leave it for them. This is why y’all’s battle pass system is so dated. Other games rerelease older cosmetics all the time and they do fine with resells. Just rerelease older bp items as shop items.” 

We tend to agree – while having an exclusive item to show off is generally cool in the short term, when a game is this many years old, the FOMO effect can only lead to apathy. If an item is a challenge to obtain and requires a specific set of skills to accomplish, then fair enough. But if it’s just old Battle Pass items, there’s really nothing exclusive about them except being present at the time.