Cyberpunk 2077 Developer Addresses Fortnite Female Character Controversy

Recently, a heated discussion arose regarding the collaboration between Fortnite and Cyberpunk 2077, particularly due to the decision to feature the female V avatar instead of the male counterpart. Amid various leaks and speculations, the highly anticipated crossover was officially launched on December 23, introducing iconic characters like Johnny Silverhand and V into the Fortnite universe.

This crossover, however, was not without its criticisms. A significant portion of the Cyberpunk 2077 fandom expressed disappointment over the exclusion of male V, leading to claims of “erasure.” Some fans suggested that CD Projekt Red’s choice might be linked to the troubled launch of the game, speculating that the company preferred to emphasize female V during marketing efforts tied to Update 2.0 and Phantom Liberty. In light of this controversy, a Cyberpunk developer simplified the reasoning behind the choice.

Insight from the Developers: The Choice of Female V

In addressing the backlash, Patrick K. Mills, the Senior Quest Designer for Cyberpunk 2077, clarified on Twitter/X that the decision to opt for female V over her male counterpart was ultimately his responsibility. According to Mills, including Johnny Silverhand in the collaboration provided male representation, which made the decision to choose female V a balanced approach.

“I prefer femme V and we already had a masculine character in Johnny,” Mills stated. He further noted that while both versions of V are compelling, the constraints of the collaboration meant that a single choice had to be made.

Cyberpunk Fortnite Collab V — Image shared by SparkyFunbuck on Reddit

Prior to the crossover’s launch, many fans were hopeful that male V would be available as an additional outfit option. However, Mills’ remarks suggest that this was not a viable possibility during the collaboration.

Alongside the skins for Johnny and V, the Fortnite x Cyberpunk 2077 collaboration features other exciting items, including the Mantis Blades pickaxe and a back bling modeled after Johnny’s Arasaka nuke. Players can acquire this content as a package for 2,800 V-Bucks, while those interested in Cyberpunk’s Quadra Turbo-R car will need to invest an additional 1,800 V-Bucks.

For more details, check the full article on Dexerto.