Epic Games has temporarily disabled the Peaceful Hips emote in Fortnite after a surprising twist in Peacemaker season two revealed that what once looked like a light-hearted dance has a darker subtext.
Why Epic Pulled the Emote
The official Fortnite Status account on X announced that Peaceful Hips is being disabled while Epic “inquires into the partner’s creative intentions” behind the collaboration. Epic added that if the emote does not return to the game, players who purchased it will receive automatic refunds in the coming days.
What Makes the Emote Controversial
⚠️ Spoilers for Peacemaker season two ahead.
Episode six of Peacemaker season two reveals an alternate reality where Nazi Germany won World War II and the world is ruled by white supremacists. Earlier episodes teased this twist through subtle details—including the season two opening dance number. In that sequence, characters strike a move where both arms bend at right angles, a gesture that takes on new meaning after the big reveal.
Choreographer Charissa Barton previously hinted that the season two intro contained story clues, and Fortnite’s Peaceful Hips emote directly copied that bent-arm movement. What was once seen as a quirky dance step now carries a much heavier implication, especially in a game where players can freely use the move in both casual and competitive spaces.
What Players Need to Know
The Peaceful Hips emote was added to the Item Shop earlier this month, available individually or bundled with other Peacemaker cosmetics. While Epic has removed the Peacemaker Bundle from the store, most items remain usable for players who already own them—with the exception of Peaceful Hips, which is currently disabled.
If you purchased the emote, keep an eye out for an automatic refund if Epic decides not to bring it back. For now, other Peacemaker items in your locker remain unaffected.
The Bigger Picture
Epic appears to be handling this situation as both a content moderation issue and a public relations concern. Fortnite has a long history of crossovers, but when pop culture references intersect with darker storylines, the line between playful homage and problematic symbolism can get complicated fast.
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