Fortnite Developers Respond to Controversial Emote Wheel Update in Chapter 6 Season 1

Mark Rein Addresses Fortnite’s Controversial Emote Wheel Change

The co-founder and Vice President of Epic Games, Mark Rein, has finally responded to player concerns regarding the recent update to Fortnite’s emote wheel. According to Rein, the alteration was an unintended error, and assurances have been made that it will be reversed.

The Impact of New Updates in Fortnite

Fortnite updates frequently introduce exciting new content, such as talented characters like Godzilla, Kong, and Hatsune Miku. However, these updates can also lead to less favorable changes. Fans have expressed discontent regarding the newly implemented Quests UI and the highly criticized adjustments to the emote wheel, which now restrict players to a set of six pre-selected dances or celebrations. This limitation has affected the game’s social interaction, which often relies on spontaneous emotes to express victory or humor at opponents’ expense.

Fortnite's emote wheel in-game — Image Credit: dexerto / Epic Games

Community Reaction and Developer Response

Following the Godzilla-themed update on January 14, a notable segment of the player community reacted strongly against the emote wheel modification, labeling it as “frustrating.”Players believe these frequent UI alterations are diminishing the overall gaming experience. Fortunately, this outcry reached Mark Rein, who publicly acknowledged the issue in a social media interaction on X (formerly Twitter).

In response to a post by a user named actuallykaizo, who urged for a reversal of the changes, Rein simply stated: “Reported, thanks!” This simple acknowledgment suggests that the alteration was not a planned design choice but rather an error that requires correction.

Reported, thanks! https://t.co/cBcaUtOKu0

— Mark Rein (@MarkRein) January 15, 2025

Looking Ahead: Potential Fix Timeline

While an exact timeline for the fix has not been provided, the next Fortnite patch, v33.30, is slated for February 4. Should a hotfix not be issued before then, players can reasonably expect the emote wheel issue to be addressed during that update.

Players are hopeful for a swift resolution, eager to return to using their favorite emotes, such as the iconic “Take The L” dance, when eliminating opponents in matches.

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