The “Peaceful Hips” emote hit Fortnite not too long ago, part of the “DC Series” and costing 400 V-Bucks. It’s a nod to HBO’s Peacemaker show, specifically a dance move from the season 2 intro where the character does some funky arm flapping and hip swerving. All was well until a bombshell dropped in the latest season 2 episode, putting the emote in a questionable light. Epic Games decided to pull the cosmetic due to concerns about its “creative intentions,” fearing it might resemble a Nazi Swastika.
In a somewhat baffling move, Epic Games disabled the Peaceful Hips Emote in Fortnite to investigate their partner’s creative intentions in the collaboration. The official Fortnite account announced the decision over the weekend, promising refunds for those who purchased it. The controversy arose after Peacemaker season 2 episode 6 revealed a dark twist, with the protagonist, Chris Smith, trapped in an alternate dimension that turns out to be Earth-X, where the US lost to Hitler’s Germany in WWII. The discovery of a Swastika on the American flag in this alternate reality raised red flags about the emote’s possible Nazi connotations.
Forbes pointed out the emote’s resemblance to a dance performed by Donald Duck in the Disney short “Der Fuehrer’s Face,” adding another layer to the controversy. The fact that Epic Games seemed unaware of the show’s plot twist is surprising, considering the show is helmed by James Gunn, a prominent figure in the DC universe. The oversight raises questions about communication between the parties involved and how such a misstep could have occurred. It’s a lesson in the risks of branded collaborations in the gaming industry, where even the most innocuous emote can spark unintended controversy.
