Fortnite just thawed Mariah Carey, so Merry Christmas I guess

At this point, no bizarre event or unexpected crossover should surprise me when it comes to Fortnite. It already feels like I’ve seen it all. But just when you thought you’d never be surprised by a cameo again, Epic Games delivers something that makes you question everything. Many games are launching Christmas events at the moment, but only Fortnite can say its event features Mariah Carey being freed from cryopreservation.

Yes, Fortnite’s Winterfest event is now in full swing with the Queen of Christmas kicking things off with an in-game rendition of All I Want For Christmas Is You. No, Mariah didn’t drop in from the Battle Bus, but instead emerged from a giant, thawing block of ice that has been sitting on the Battle Royale game’s map for the past few days. As is the case with, well, absolutely everything that gets added to Fortnite, Mariah Carey’s cameo has been known for a while thanks to leaks. However, we didn’t know exactly how she would be presented. Now we do.

While not on its own separate playlist like many other crossover events, The Defrosting (as I now dub it) took place in the regular Battle Royale mode. When you fall at the location of the ice block, which is illuminated with a blue light beam making it easy to spot, Mariah will break out of it and begin performing her iconic Christmas classic. A Mariah Carey skin bundle is also on its way to the store as part of the Winterfest celebrations.

Speaking of skins, Snoop Dogg’s Fortnite era is about to get a little more festive as the rapper also has a Santa themed cosmetic that you can earn for free. As part of Winterfest, you’ll find a free gift waiting for you every day you log in over the next two weeks. While most contain items like sprays, picks or weapon skins, opening them all will net you two free Fortnite skins – Yulejacket and Santa Dogg, with the latter being the new look for Snoop.

Fortnite has certainly been on a very cursed run recently, even by its own standards, with the addition of the Skibidi Toilet backbling now corrupting many of the iconic pop culture characters that inhabit the game these days. Now, thanks to Winterfest, we also get to see Mariah Carey shoot people down with an SMG. Merry Christmas everyone.

Fortnite Winterfest 2024 runs until Tuesday, January 7 at 6am PT / 9am ET / 2pm GMT. In addition to the winter party’s log-in gifts, there will be daily challenges and various other festive shop packages during this period.

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