"Darth Jar Jar Joins Fortnite: Earn 1M XP to Unlock"

Fortnite's Star Wars season has just unveiled its most anticipated skin yet, Darth Jar Jar, but with a twist that has left fans buzzing. This iconic skin is locked behind a hefty 1.28 million XP grind, and even after reaching this milestone, players must still fork out 1500 V-Bucks (approximately $13) to unlock it. This move marks a rare instance where Fortnite has placed a skin behind an XP wall, especially one as eagerly awaited as Darth Jar Jar during this condensed Star Wars season.

As the season progresses and the end date of June 7 looms closer, the time to accumulate the necessary XP is shrinking rapidly. Players who have already completed their battle pass now face an additional challenge to unlock this new skin. The community's reaction has been mixed, with some expressing frustration over the requirement to "earn the right to spend money."

"I was so excited for this skin and was okay with it being behind a paywall, but this XP requirement is just too much," one fan lamented on Reddit. "You want me to work to give you money? I closed the game right away."

Adding to the controversy, alongside Darth Jar Jar, a standard Jar Jar Binks skin is also available without an XP requirement, yet it still costs 1500 V-Bucks. For those interested in the full Jar Jar experience, including accessories for both the Sith and Gungan versions, the total cost could reach 6,500 V-Bucks. This has led to further outcry among fans, with one stating, "Regular Jar Jar alone is $20. If you want both, that's a whopping $52 for what should have been one skin with three styles."

Fortnite x Star Wars Watch Party Island Screenshots

View 7 ImagesHowever, not all feedback has been negative. Some players have pointed out that Jar Jar is merely a cosmetic option, and those uninterested can simply ignore it. "Jar Jar is just a skin, you don't have to buy him if you don't want to," one player argued. Another shared their experience, "It wasn't that hard to earn the XP; it took me around 8/9 hours. I did it in three sittings on a free Saturday, playing Rocket Racing, Ranked, and doing Alignment Challenges. The price didn't bother me, especially since Deathstroke was 1,800 V-Bucks."

As Fortnite's Star Wars season continues, the focus shifts to Mandalorian warriors, with a new customizable Mandalorian skin set to hit the Shop soon. The season will culminate in a live narrative event on June 7, where fans speculate they might get to board the Death Star, a looming presence over the game's Island since the season began.

In other news, Epic Games' ongoing dispute with Apple has intensified, with Fortnite being blocked from returning to the iPhone App Store in the US earlier this month.