Community spirit led to the creation of a Tender Defender skin on the hit multiplayer game.
An eight-year-old who designed a chicken skin for Fortnite has seen his work become a reality in the popular game.
The Chicken Trooper skin was devised by Connor in September and gained a lot of attention from Fortnite fans when his dad posted the idea on Reddit.
Concept artists took the design a step further with more detailed illustrations but the suggestion fell silent until earlier this month when Fortnite began teasing something chicken-related in a social media post, as well as chicken feathers and cooked chicken legs in the watch tower in Lonely Lodge.
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Reddit user Etsyturtle2, one of the artists who progressed the design, revealed that Fortnite had been in touch, saying: “Oh, yeah. The skin is coming.”
By November 23, the new skin’s arrival was confirmed by developers Epic Games, including items such as the egg whisk axe and cracked egg backpack, although the name was changed to Tender Defender.
“We are so excited,” Connor’s dad wrote on Reddit last Friday.
“I surprised Connor with the skin (right before we had to leave to an event) and he and his brother loved it. Thanks to everyone on Reddit who made this possible. You made his day. He is sporting a permanent grin.
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“You guys made me the coolest dad alive. I filmed his reaction and can't wait to share it with you all.”
Gamers can now get hold of the Tender Defender skin from the Item Shop for 1,500 V-Bucks, the in-game currency.
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers lost both a game and another superstar Thursday, falling 4-3 in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets after Connor McDavid left with a lower-body injury.
McDavid exited following a second-period collision with Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey.
The Oilers were already without NHL-leading goal scorer Leon Draisaitl (lower body). Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said Friday that both players will likely be out at least a week.
“I’d say day to day, maybe a week (for McDavid) and Leon same kind of timeline,” Knoblauch said. “They’ll be probably out up to a week.”
The Oilers also lost starting goaltender Stuart Skinner late in the third period against the Jets, but Knoblauch said he will be available Saturday against the Seattle Kraken.
Skinner was pulled by the concussion spotter, a decision Knoblauch said postgame he would not have made. Skinner also disagreed with the decision.
“Stu is fine and eligible to play tomorrow night,” added Knoblauch.
Draisaitl, who leads the league with 49 goals, was hurt Tuesday in Edmonton’s 7-1 win over Utah. He showed some discomfort but finished the game.
“They reevaluated and figured out it was more than they anticipated,” Knoblauch said on Draisaitl’s injury.
Veteran forward Derek Ryan, who was called up Tuesday but hasn’t played, will likely slot into the lineup Saturday.
Jeff Skinner, a former 40-goal scorer, stepped up by scoring twice in a bigger role.
“It was only a matter of time before he put the puck in the net,” Knoblauch said.
Skinner has been a healthy scratch several times this season after signing as a free agent in the summer.
The 32-year-old has 13 goals in 59 games this season.
“He’s done it so many times, and we need them,” Knoblauch said. “Especially right now with the injuries that we have, we’ll need guys stepping up. And he’s one of those guys we’ll be looking to play a big role.”
Evander Kane, on long-term injured reserve after undergoing abdominal surgery in September and knee surgery in January, is back skating with the team.
For now, he has been practicing in small groups and participating in light skates, but his progression seems “optimistic,” according to Knoblauch.
“He’ll be joining regular practices, and you know he’s been putting in the work and getting ready to play, and hopefully sometime during the playoffs, he’s available for us,” he said.
“He’s a world-class athlete, world-class player. Last year, he battled through a lot of injuries and now surgeries. Hopefully, he can be healthy and ready for us. Obviously, he could make a huge impact on our team.”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl (29) skates against the Utah Hockey Club during first period NHL action in Edmonton on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid skates on the ice after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Sunday, March 16, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
