A new storm has been brewing in the Fortnite community, and it’s not a purple one. The recent introduction of the “Skatenado” emote has left many players seeing double, drawing striking comparisons to the older “Tornado Spin” emote. This has led to a wave of discussion and requests for refunds from players who feel the new emote is a little too familiar.
The core of the issue lies in the animations of the two emotes. Both feature the player’s character spinning in a tornado-like fashion on a board. While the “Skatenado” emote showcases a standard skateboard and has a slightly different musical tune, the fundamental movements are almost identical to the “Tornado Spin,” which features a longboard. This similarity has caused some players who own the “Tornado Spin” to feel that their prior purchase has been devalued, while others who bought “Skatenado” without realizing the likeness are now seeking their V-Bucks back.
The sentiment is clear across social media and gaming forums: players are not happy with what they perceive as a repackaged emote. The community has been vocal in their desire for more unique content and feel that the “Skatenado” emote falls short of this expectation.
How to Request a Refund for the Skatenado or Tornado Spin Emote
If you’re one of the many players who feel the “Skatenado” emote is too similar to the “Tornado Spin” and you wish to get a refund, you have a few options within Fortnite’s system. Epic Games provides a “Return Ticket” system for just such occasions.
Here’s how you can use a Return Ticket to refund an item:
- Navigate to the Main Menu: From the Fortnite lobby, open the main menu.
- Access Settings: Click on the settings gear icon.
- Find Support & Refunds: In the menu, select “Support & Refunds.”
- Choose Return or Cancel Purchase: Click on this option to see a list of your recent purchases.
- Select the Emote: Find the “Skatenado” or “Tornado Spin” emote in the list.
- Use a Return Ticket: Select the emote and then choose to “Use a Return Ticket.”
- Confirm Your Refund: A confirmation screen will appear. If you’re sure you want to proceed, click “Yes.” Your V-Bucks will be returned to your account.
It’s important to remember that you are given a limited number of Return Tickets, and they replenish over time. Use them wisely!
Additionally, for very recent purchases (within 24 hours), you may be able to cancel the purchase directly without using a ticket, provided you haven’t used the emote in a match.
What About Gifted Emotes?
Unfortunately, if the “Skatenado” or “Tornado Spin” emote was gifted to you, you are unable to refund it for V-Bucks. The refund option is only available to the original purchaser.
The FTC Settlement and In-Game Purchases
It is also worth noting the broader context of in-game purchases and refunds. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been actively addressing consumer rights in the gaming industry. A significant settlement with Epic Games was reached regarding unwanted in-game purchases. While this may not directly apply to the “Skatenado” and “Tornado Spin” issue, it highlights the growing awareness and regulation around in-game economies. The deadline to file a claim in the FTC settlement is in July 2025.
Will Epic Games Address the Similarity?
As of now, Epic Games has not released an official statement regarding the similarities between the “Skatenado” and “Tornado Spin” emotes or any potential mass refund. However, given the vocal community feedback, it is possible they may address the concerns in the future.
In the meantime, utilizing the in-game refund system is the most direct way for players to act on their dissatisfaction with the perceived lack of originality in the “Skatenado” emote.
