In what’s only the latest example ofEpic Gamesresponding toFortnitecommunity requests, it appears that the much-requested fan-made Tender Defender skin may soon be released. In September an eight-year-old boy drew up the design of a skin he’d love to see in his favorite game. He dubbed the skin the Chicken Trooper, a feathered, chicken-headed hero. The fanciful fan-art quickly became a community icon after the boy’s father posted it on Reddit, and now it looks like it may be added toFortniteitself in the relatively near future.
The campaign to have the Chicken Trooper added toFortnitetruly began once Reddit got hold of the idea. Befitting the nerdy, chicken tender adoring community, the Chicken Trooper’s name was updated to the more meme-worthy Tender Defender. And what followed was an array of fan-art, recommendations for various customizations, and cries to Epic Games to add the skin in-game.
With the release of patchFortnite’spatch 6.30and the subsequent datamine of the patch’s unreleased files, it’s now clear that the Chicken Trooper A.K.A. the Tender Defender will be arriving soon.
WhenFortnitefans began creating their own artistic representationsof the Chicken Trooper, one piece stood out in particular. The skin concept featured a moreFortnite-esque example of the Tender Defender skin as well as several examples of other customizations, including a chicken “Loco Glider,” an egg whisk axe, and a cracked-egg back-bling. This artist, who goes by Etsyturtle2 on Reddit, confirmed recently that Epic had already contacted them about using their concept inFortnite.
Fortnitepatch 6.30 all but confirmed the release of the Tender Defender. Within a watchtower in the Lonely Lodge, a new hideout can be found with a sleeping bag, yellow feathers, and bits of fried chicken laying about. But the true evidence lies unreleased in the game’s files. Hidden away is a new glider, the Flappy Flyer, which is identical to the Loco Glider concept, as well as whisk axe named the Scrambler. If that wasn’t enough, there’s an unfinished version of the Tender Defender skin itself.
Connor, the eight-year-old original creator of the Chicken Trooper, has yet to be informed of the skin’s creation. His father is holding back until the skin is officially released inFortnite, but already knows it’s going to be a very special occasion:
“I am super happy for Connor. His concept is really becoming reality it seems. Thanks for all the artists who took his original drawing and built there chicken troopers off of his concept. There is no bigger compliment. Thanks to the redditors of this forum who stood behind a young boys idea and uplifted him.”
Fortniteis available now on Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, and mobile devices.
