The world of Fortnite and Stranger Things collided once again in November 2025, bringing fans a wave of nostalgia and excitement ahead of the Netflix series’ final season. However, as the dust settled on Epic Games’ latest collaboration, a glaring omission emerged that has left the gaming community scratching their heads—and voicing their frustration across social media platforms. Fortnite Stranger Things skins have a glaring omission that’s impossible to ignore: Max Mayfield, the beloved character who became a fan favorite since her introduction in Season 2, is nowhere to be found.
The Third Wave: What We Got vs. What We Expected?
On November 21, 2025, Epic Games rolled out the third wave of Stranger Things content in Fortnite, adding Mike, Dustin, Will, Lucas, and the terrifying Vecna to the game’s ever-expanding roster of cosmetics. The release coincided perfectly with Stranger Things’ final season premiere on November 26, creating a perfect storm of marketing synergy between two entertainment giants.
At first glance, the addition seemed comprehensive. The core group of boys from Hawkins was finally complete, and Vecna’s inclusion as the primary villain made perfect sense. Fans who had been waiting six years since the first Stranger Things collaboration in Fortnite Season 9 finally had more reasons to celebrate. Eleven, Hopper, and the Demogorgon from previous waves were joined by this new batch of characters, creating what should have been a dream lineup for any Stranger Things enthusiast.
But something was missing. Actually, several somethings were missing, but one omission stood out above all others.
Why Max’s Absence Hurts the Most?
Max Mayfield isn’t just another character in the Stranger Things universe—she’s an integral part of the group’s dynamic. Introduced in Season 2, Max quickly became the skateboarding, sarcastic, yet vulnerable character who brought a fresh energy to the show. Her relationship with Lucas, her friendship with Eleven, and her personal struggles throughout the series made her one of the most developed and relatable characters in the cast.
What makes Max’s exclusion particularly baffling is her status within the friend group. Unlike Steve, Nancy, or Robin—who are older characters that could arguably be saved for a different wave—Max is part of the core younger cast. She’s essentially the fifth member of the main party, making her absence from a collaboration that includes Mike, Dustin, Will, and Lucas feel like a puzzle with a crucial piece missing.
As one Reddit user perfectly put it: “I understand leaving the older characters like Nancy and Steve for a later wave but not including Max now is sad. Now we have the whole younger group EXCEPT Max.”
This sentiment echoes across social media platforms, where fans have been vocal about their disappointment. The consensus is clear: a Stranger Things collaboration without Max feels incomplete, regardless of how many other characters are included.
The Full List of Missing Characters
While Max’s absence has garnered the most attention, she’s far from the only notable character missing from Fortnite’s Stranger Things roster. The list of omissions reads like a who’s who of fan favorites:
Steve Harrington: Perhaps the most surprising omission after Max, Steve evolved from a stereotypical jock in Season 1 to one of the show’s most beloved characters. His protective nature, comedic timing, and iconic hair have made him a standout fan favorite.
Nancy Wheeler: The determined journalist and monster hunter would seem like a natural fit for Fortnite’s action-packed gameplay. Her evolution from high school student to supernatural investigator mirrors the game’s own progression themes.
Robin Buckley: Introduced in Season 3, Robin quickly became a fan favorite with her quick wit, intelligence, and unique friendship with Steve. Her Scoops Ahoy uniform alone would make for a fantastic cosmetic set.
Jonathan Byers: Will’s older brother and the group’s resident photographer has been instrumental in uncovering the mysteries of Hawkins since the beginning.
Eddie Munson: The breakout star of Season 4, Eddie’s charismatic personality and heroic sacrifice made him an instant fan favorite. His inclusion would be particularly timely given his recent prominence in the series.
Billy Hargrove: Despite being a villain in Season 2, Billy’s complex character arc and redemption in Season 3 made him a compelling figure whose absence is notable.
The exclusion of these characters, combined with Max’s noticeable absence, has led many fans to question the decision-making process behind the collaboration.
Fan Reaction: Social Media Erupts with Disappointment
The reaction from the gaming community has been swift and vocal. Across Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, and various gaming forums, fans have expressed their frustration and confusion about the character omissions.
One particularly active Reddit thread titled “I think they forgot Max ” garnered hundreds of comments, with fans sharing their disappointment and speculation about why certain characters were left out. Comments like “There’s been several collabs now where they don’t release the one character I would have actually bought” and “A 3rd wave with Max, Steve, and Nancy NEEDS to happen” illustrate the depth of fan investment in these characters.
The frustration isn’t just about missing out on favorite characters—it’s about the feeling that the collaboration is incomplete. As another user noted, “Max, Steve, Nancy, Robin, Eddie and Jonathan should all be added as well. I love that they’re adding the party, but it doesn’t feel complete without Max and the older teens.”
This sentiment is particularly interesting because it highlights how fans view these characters not as individual entities but as part of an ensemble. The Stranger Things phenomenon has always been about the group dynamic, and Fortnite’s incomplete roster feels like it’s missing that crucial element.
Possible Explanations for the Omissions
While Epic Games hasn’t officially commented on why certain characters were excluded, several theories have emerged within the gaming community:
Marketing Strategy: Some speculate that Epic is intentionally holding back popular characters like Max and Steve for a fourth wave, creating additional hype and extending the collaboration’s lifespan. This strategy would keep Stranger Things relevant in Fortnite throughout the final season’s run.
Licensing Issues: It’s possible that licensing agreements for certain characters are more complex or expensive than others. Actors’ contracts, image rights, and character usage permissions can all factor into who gets included in gaming collaborations.
Development Timeline: The third wave may have been in development before certain characters’ storylines were finalized or before their popularity was fully realized. Eddie Munson, for instance, became a breakout star in Season 4, which might have been too late to include him in this wave.
Character Model Complexity: Some characters might require more complex modeling or animation work than others. Max’s distinctive look and movements might present technical challenges that couldn’t be met in time for this release.
Deliberate Exclusivity: Epic Games might be deliberately keeping some characters exclusive to maintain scarcity and demand, a common strategy in the world of gaming cosmetics.
Regardless of the reason, the omission has certainly generated conversation and kept Stranger Things in the gaming spotlight—even if not entirely in the way Epic might have intended.
The Business of Collaboration: Why This Matters?
Fortnite’s collaborations with major franchises like Stranger Things represent more than just cosmetic additions—they’re significant business moves that benefit both parties. For Netflix, it’s a way to keep Stranger Things relevant and generate buzz ahead of the final season. For Epic Games, it’s an opportunity to attract new players and retain existing ones with fresh, desirable content.
The financial implications are substantial. Fortnite’s cosmetic items generate billions in revenue, and high-profile collaborations like this one can drive significant sales. When fans feel that a collaboration is incomplete or missing key elements, it can impact their willingness to invest in the available items.
Moreover, these collaborations serve as powerful marketing tools. They create cross-promotional opportunities, generate social media buzz, and keep both properties in the public consciousness. The controversy surrounding Max’s omission, while frustrating for fans, has arguably generated more discussion and attention than a perfectly complete collaboration might have.
What This Means for Future Collaborations?
The Stranger Things collaboration controversy offers valuable insights for how Epic Games might approach future partnerships. The fan reaction demonstrates that gamers are deeply invested in the authenticity and completeness of these collaborations. They don’t just want recognizable characters—they want the ones that matter most to the story and community.
This experience might influence how Epic approaches other major franchise collaborations in the future. We might see more comprehensive character rosters, better communication about which characters will be included, or more transparent release schedules that manage fan expectations.
Additionally, the backlash could encourage Epic to be more responsive to fan feedback. If the community continues to voice its desire for the missing Stranger Things characters, we might see a fourth wave that addresses these concerns—turning what initially seemed like a glaring omission into an opportunity for fan service.
The Silver Lining: Hope for Future Waves
Despite the disappointment, there’s reason for optimism. The fact that this is the third wave of Stranger Things content suggests that Epic Games is committed to the collaboration and may have more planned. With Stranger Things’ final season just beginning, there’s plenty of time for additional content drops.
Many fans are holding out hope for a fourth wave that could finally include Max, Steve, Nancy, and the other missing characters. Some have even speculated that the omissions were intentional to create anticipation for future releases.
The gaming community’s vocal reaction also demonstrates the power of fan feedback. Epic Games has shown in the past that it listens to its player base, and the overwhelming response to Max’s absence could influence future content decisions.
Conclusion: A Collaboration With Room to Grow
Fortnite Stranger Things skins have a glaring omission that’s impossible to overlook, but this isn’t necessarily the end of the story. The absence of Max Mayfield and other beloved characters has sparked important conversations about what fans expect from these high-profile collaborations and how gaming companies can better meet those expectations.
What we’re seeing is a collaboration that, while impressive in many respects, feels incomplete without its full cast of characters. The Stranger Things phenomenon has always been about the power of friendship and group dynamics, and Fortnite’s current roster only tells part of that story.
As the final season of Stranger Things unfolds and Fortnite continues to evolve, there’s still hope that the missing pieces will fall into place. Until then, fans will continue to voice their disappointment, share their theories, and hold out hope that Max and the others will eventually get their moment in the Fortnite spotlight.
After all, in the world of Stranger Things and Fortnite alike, sometimes the most exciting developments are the ones you don’t see coming.