Throughout its seven-year journey, Fortnite has introduced a diverse array of characters from various pop culture realms, allowing players to don their outfits in Battle Royale and other game modes. From the formidable Thanos of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the celebrated singer Mariah Carey, players can embody nearly every beloved icon in Fortnite.
During the late holiday season of 2024, gamers had the chance to buy and play as Halo’s Master Chief once more, just before he was vaulted for the new year. Although his time in the game was brief, the strong following he has among both Fortnite and Halo enthusiasts may inspire Epic Games and Halo Studios to bring more Halo characters into the mix.
Fortnite’s Master Chief Explained
Master Chief may not have been the very first video game character to join Fortnite, but his inclusion was certainly one of the most unexpected. As the iconic figure representing Xbox’s premier franchise, Halo, his arrival was a big deal. In late 2020, 343 Industries and Epic Games decided to introduce Master Chief as a new Gaming Legend in Fortnite’s Chapter 2: Season 5, aligning perfectly with the launch of Halo Infinite in November 2020. This exciting addition also coincided with the debut of Red vs. Blue: Zero, the 18th season of the beloved Rooster Teeth machinima series, which featured characters like Sarge and Grif in promotional materials for Master Chief’s entry into the game.
Fortnite players had the exciting opportunity to not only buy Master Chief as a character skin but also to grab the Master Chief Bundle. This bundle included the Battle Legend Back Bling inspired by Halo’s Legendary Difficulty emblem, a Gravity Hammer Pickaxe, a UNSC Pelican Glider, and a fun Lil’ Warthog emote. Additionally, gamers playing on an Xbox Series X/S or using the Xbox Cloud Gaming service could unlock a special Matte Black version of Master Chief’s GEN3 armor. In 2020, players could dive back into the Halo experience by engaging in Slayer-style matches on the revamped Blood Gulch map from Halo: Combat Evolved through Fortnite Creative.
Other Potential Halo Characters to Arrive in Fortnite
With Master Chief’s ongoing success in Fortnite and the way Halo fans are drawn to the battle royale, Epic Games and Halo Studio should definitely explore the idea of adding more Halo characters. Other major franchises, including Destiny, Gears of War, and Resident Evil, have seen multiple characters crossover into Fortnite, making it a smart move for Halo Studios to expand its roster in the game.
It’s likely that Cortana and the Arbiter are two of the top candidates to team up with Master Chief in Fortnite. Together, they form the essential trio from the original Halo trilogy, representing some of the most memorable characters in the franchise. Cortana could come with three unique styles: one reflecting her classic purple look from Combat Evolved, another inspired by her darker version in Halo 5: Guardians, and a third based on The Weapon from Halo Infinite.
At the same time, the Arbiter might feature two different styles: one inspired by his looks in Halo 2 and 3, and another reflecting his appearance in Halo 5. Additionally, the Arbiter could be equipped with an Energy Sword Pickaxe and a Banshee Glider, while Cortana could have a Guardian Glider and an Index Pickaxe.
A Potential Halo Villain Brought to Fortnite
Atriox made his debut in Halo Wars 2 back in 2016 and has rapidly gained popularity as one of the franchise’s most notable villains. His faction, the Banished, has emerged as the primary adversaries in Halo Infinite. With the potential for Atriox to return in Halo 7, he could be a thrilling character to see in Fortnite, particularly if his iconic red Energy Mace Chainbreaker is transformed into a Pickaxe skin. Although the future of Halo remains unclear, these potential additions could reignite excitement for the franchise as it approaches its 25th anniversary.