Epic Games has halted sales and disabled the John Cena Peacemaker emote in Fortnite after users pointed out troubling similarities between the dance’s arm movements and Nazi symbolism. This decision came on September 27 following a surge of backlash online centered around the emote, part of Fortnite’s collaboration with HBO Max’s series Peacemaker, which stars John Cena.
Fortnite’s Peacemaker emote, officially called Peaceful Hips, became controversial after viewers of Peacemaker Season 2 noticed the choreography appeared to evoke swastika-like shapes, especially when viewed from Fortnite’s third-person perspective. This association has led Epic Games to review the emote’s creative origins and intentions.
Origins and Popularity of the Peaceful Hips Dance
Fortnite introduced the Peaceful Hips emote earlier in the year as part of a wider Peacemaker collaboration that included a John Cena skin, themed accessories, and other cosmetic items. The dance itself is directly inspired by the show’s iconic opening credits, where Cena and the ensemble cast perform deadpan, synchronized moves to Wig Wam’s glam-rock song, “Do Ya Wanna Taste It.”
The quirky and deliberately awkward dance was embraced by players as a humorous way to express themselves in-game. Fortnite’s ability to integrate trending pop culture elements helped make the emote a fan favorite for several months, reinforcing the game’s reputation as a hub of digital cultural expressions alongside partnerships with stars like Ariana Grande and Marvel heroes.
Impact of Peacemaker Season 2 on the Emote’s Reception
However, the release of Peacemaker’s second season introduced a dark twist that cast a new light on the dance. Created by James Gunn, Season 2 explores a storyline involving an alternate reality controlled by Nazis, tying fascism themes into the narrative. This context contributed to heightened scrutiny of the emote’s arm movements, which some players and viewers interpreted as intentionally echoing Nazi symbols.
Social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok amplified the controversy, with many posts showcasing side-by-side comparisons of the dance and swastika motifs. While some defenders argued the resemblance was coincidental and largely dependent on selective framing, the presence of such imagery, regardless of intent, alarmed parts of Fortnite’s global player base, including its significant number of younger gamers.
Epic Games’ Response and Future of the Emote
Epic Games responded swiftly by disabling the Peaceful Hips emote on the same day the controversy escalated. The official Fortnite Status account stated,
“We’re disabling the Peaceful Hips Emote in Fortnite as we inquire into our partner’s creative intentions in this collab emote. Assuming it’s not coming back, we’ll issue refunds in the next few days.”
This public acknowledgment signals that Epic is treating the matter seriously, underscoring two key actions: immediate removal of the emote from availability, and a possible permanent ban contingent on the outcome of their review. The promise of refunds also indicates recognition of player investment and an effort to mitigate dissatisfaction.
It is rare for Epic Games to remove high-profile collaboration content, making this case a notable example of how the company manages brand partnerships when controversies arise.
Broader Context of Fortnite’s Cultural Collaborations
Fortnite has long been known for blending battle royale gameplay with collaborations featuring major entertainment properties. Its partnerships span wide-ranging domains, including Marvel superheroes, musical icons such as Ariana Grande, and various television series, establishing the game as a cultural crossroads for diverse fandoms.
With the Peacemaker collaboration, this strategy extended into the realm of mature-themed television, combining a comedic yet dark series with interactive digital expression. However, the tension between humor, historical references, and unexpected symbolic interpretations demonstrates the challenges of integrating complex narratives into a global online game environment.
Significance and What to Expect Next
The removal of the John Cena Peacemaker emote from Fortnite highlights the complexities that arise when entertainment content intersects with sensitive or controversial symbolism. For Epic Games, this incident may lead to more stringent vetting of collaborative assets, especially given Fortnite’s diverse and international audience that includes millions of young players.
Going forward, the company’s findings about the creative intentions behind the emote could determine whether it ever returns or remains permanently withdrawn. The episode also underscores the growing scrutiny online communities place on the cultural and political implications of gaming content, emphasizing the responsibility digital platforms carry in managing their partnerships and the messages they propagate.
