Peely

Peely is an anthropomorphic banana with humanoid features. Kotaku writer Riley MacLeod noted that Peely has "oddly muscular arms and legs", while Jordan Gerblick of GamesRadar+ has noted Peely having a "doe-eyed gaze". Alternate designs of Peely have been included in the game, beginning with a Halloween-themed design, which first launched in October 2019 for that year's "Fortnitemares" event.{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Robert N.|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/611987-fortnite-peely-halloween-skin-fortnitemares-creepy-peely-bone|title=The Fortnite Peely Halloween skin is creepy as hell|work=GameRevolution|date=October 31, 2019|accessdate=December 12, 2023}} This skin was a partially skeletal version of the original Peely outfit. In July 2020, "Unpeely", a skin featuring Peely without a peel was released for the game's "Summer Legends" cosmetics pack.{{cite web|last=MacLeod|first=Riley|url=https://kotaku.com/oh-god-fortnite-made-peely-worse-1844547798|title=Oh God, Fortnite Made Peely Worse|work=Kotaku|date=July 29, 2020|accessdate=December 12, 2023}} By December 2023, there were twelve outfit variants of Peely.{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Harrison|url=https://dotesports.com/fortnite/news/one-iconic-fortnite-skins-lego-update-has-players-losing-their-minds|title= One iconic Fortnite skin's LEGO update has players losing their minds|work=Dot Esports|date=December 6, 2023|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

Peely first appeared in "X Marks the Spot", which was Season 8 of the first chapter of Fortnite Battle Royale.{{cite web|last=MacLeod|first=Riley|url=https://kotaku.com/fortnites-new-banana-skin-is-not-right-1833066805|title=Fortnite{{'}}s New Banana Skin Is Not Right|work=Kotaku|date=March 5, 2019|accessdate=December 12, 2023}}{{cite web|last=Self|first=Callum|url=https://www.theloadout.com/fortnite/peely-skins-all|title=Fortnite all Peely skins and how to get|work=The Loadout|date=December 22, 2022|accessdate=December 25, 2023}} The season ran from February through May 2019. In this season, Peely was unlocked at level 47 of the game's battle pass. In the subsequent Season 9, Peely escapes from an erupting volcano and heads into an underground vault with another character, named Jonesy. After time passes, Jonesy emerges from the vault, though apparently having blended Peely into a milkshake. Nevertheless, Peely is shown still sentient, flashing a smile.{{cite web|last=Avard|first=Alex|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fortnite-season-9-trailer/|title=The Fortnite season 9 trailer is here, and it charts out a bright new future of battle royale|work=GamesRadar+|date=May 9, 2019|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} Epic released a cinematic short on YouTube to reveal Peely's "Fornitemares" outfit, dubbed "Peely Bone". Peely later appears in the second season of Chapter 2, wearing a tuxedo.{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/20/21144437/fortnite-chapter-2-season-2-secret-agents-items-characters-modes|title=Fortnite: Chapter 2's new season is all about secret agents and well-muscled cats|work=The Verge|date=February 20, 2020|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

In August 2021, Fortnite released its "Imposters" mode, similar in vein to the social deduction game Among Us. In the mode, imposters were given the ability to make all other players temporarily appear as Peely.{{cite web|last=Goslin|first=Austen|url=https://www.polygon.com/fortnite/22628692/fortnite-impostors-limited-time-mode-among-us-agents-wild-week-update|title=Fortnite's new Impostors mode sounds suspiciously like Among Us|work=Polygon|date=August 17, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

In Season 1 of Chapter 4 of Fortnite{{'}}s narrative, Epic introduced "Peely's Plunder"–an augment, or buff, that allows players to track buried loot.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/fortnite-peelys-plunder-buried-treasure-9306|title=How to use the Peely's Plunder Augment to find buried treasure in Fortnite|work=Eurogamer|date=January 20, 2023|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} Peely later appears in Chapter 5 of the game's storyline, where he is kidnapped.{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Andrew|url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/2/23985382/peely-has-been-kidnapped-in-the-first-fortnite-chapter-5-trailer|title=Peely has been kidnapped in the first Fortnite Chapter 5 trailer.|work=The Verge|date=December 2, 2023|accessdate=December 12, 2023}}

A version of Peely as Wolverine, dubbed "Peelverine", is featured in the Chapter 5 Season 4 battle pass, with the season themed after Marvel and named "Absolute Doom". Peely was first seen using Wolverine's claws in the trailer for the previous Marvel season, Chapter 2 Season 4, titled "Nexus War".{{cite web|last=Reynolds |first=Matthew |url= https://www.polygon.com/fortnite-guide/440525/battle-pass-skins-chapter-5-season-4-marvel |title= Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 4 battle pass skins list, including Gwenpool, Peelverine, Mysterio, and Shuri |work=Polygon|date=August 16, 2024 |accessdate=August 18, 2024}}

{{Main|Epic Games v. Apple}}

Peely's design and "Agent Peely" outfit variant were mentioned during the 2021 trial for the lawsuit brought by Epic Games against Apple.{{cite web|last=MacLeod|first=Riley|url=https://kotaku.com/even-apple-knows-fortnites-peely-is-a-monster-1846860238|title=Even Apple Knows Fortnite{{'}}s Peely Is A Monster|work=Kotaku|date=May 10, 2021|accessdate=December 25, 2023}} The legal battle between Epic and Apple revolved around "the profits from the mobile iOS version" of Fortnite.{{cite web|last=Vaca|first=Noah|url=https://gamerant.com/fortnite-peely-epic-apple-courtroom/|title=Fortnite's Questionable Peely Skin Finds Its Way Into Courtroom During Epic vs. Apple Case|work=Game Rant|date=May 10, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} The Agent Peely variant, which features Peely sporting a tuxedo, was referenced and shown by Apple's representation to provide a visual aid for what Fortnite players can do in the game's creative mode.{{cite web|last=Porter|first=Jon|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/10/22666922/apple-epic-peely-naked-banana-judgement|title=Epic v. Apple judge rules Fortnite's Peely can appear naked in court|work=The Verge|date=September 10, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Valentine|first=Rebekah|url=https://me.ign.com/en/pc/189368/news/us-courts-cant-define-video-games-but-will-define-fortnites-peely|title=Epic v. Apple: US Court Formally Punts on Trying to Define What a Video Game Is|work=IGN|date=September 10, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

A lawyer representing Apple stated, "We thought it better to go with the suit than the naked banana since we are in federal court this morning".{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Ian|url=https://kotaku.com/breaking-fortnite-banana-man-saga-ends-with-official-c-1847654332|title=Breaking: Fortnite Banana Man Saga Ends With Official Court Ruling|work=Kotaku|date=September 10, 2021|accessdate=December 25, 2023}} Though the Apple lawyer's statement was viewed as a joke by media outlets, it drew a response from Epic. A lawyer representing Epic asked for Matthew Weissinger, the developer-publisher's marketing director, to clarify if there was "anything inappropriate about Peely without clothes", to which Weissinger was quoted as stating "It's just a banana, ma'am".{{cite news|last=Liao|first=Shannon|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/05/13/epic-games-apple-trial-peely-banana-man-tinder/|title=Understanding legal arguments in Epic v. Apple: Tinder, itch.io and a naked banana|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 13, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Wilde|first=Tyler|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/peely-fornite-court-apple/|title=Fortnite banana's nude body briefly becomes focus of Epic v Apple trial|work=PC Gamer|date=May 10, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} The exchange attracted media coverage, with The Washington Post{{'s}} Shannon Liao writing that "Experts consulted by The Post described the exchange as irrelevant to antitrust — though amusing." In her ruling on the case, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers concurred with Weissinger's sentiments that Peely is just a "banana man", added that Apple's dressing of Peely in a tuxedo was done in "jest to reflect the general solemnity of a federal court proceeding", and called the "additional attire" unnecessary.{{cite web|last=Tyler|first=Joshua Edward|url=https://screenrant.com/fortnite-peely-apple-epic-lawsuit/|title=Fortnite's Peely Is the Biggest Winner Of Apple v. Epic Lawsuit|work=Screen Rant|date=September 13, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

Peely has made several appearances in Fortnite merchandising. In November 2019, a Funko Pop of Peely was released.{{cite web|last=Dedmon|first=Tanner|url=https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/funko-fortnite-pops/|title=Funko Reveals New Fortnite Pops|work=ComicBook.com|date=November 22, 2019|accessdate=December 12, 2023}} Later, in 2021, Nintendo released their "Fortnite Fleet Force Bundle", which included a set of Joy-Con featuring a yellow Peely-themed controller.{{cite web|last=Gerblick|first=Jordan|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fortnites-official-joy-cons-come-with-banana-face-and-in-game-items/|title=Fortnite's official Joy-Cons come with banana face and in-game items|work=GamesRadar+|date=March 15, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}{{cite web|last=Farokhmanesh|first=Megan|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/15/22331986/fortnite-fleet-force-bundle-nintendo-switch-peely-joy-con|title=Fortnite Fleet Force bundle includes Peely-themed Joy-Cons for your Nintendo Switch|work=The Verge|date=March 15, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} Also in 2021, McFarlane Toys released a 7" figurine of the Peely Bone outfit.{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=Tyler|url=https://bleedingcool.com/collectibles/peely-bone-rises-from-the-grave-with-new-mcfarlane-toys-fortnite/|title=Peely Bone Rises From The Grave With New McFarlane Toys Fortnite|work=Bleeding Cool|date=June 29, 2021|accessdate=December 12, 2023}} Epic collaborated with American artist Kaws to release a Peely outfit themed after the artist's style.{{cite web|last=Gutierrez|first=Luis Joshua|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/kawspeely-skin-is-coming-to-fortnite/1100-6505081/|title=Kawspeely Skin Is Coming To Fortnite|work=GameSpot|date=July 1, 2022|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} Epic Games also released a Christmas ornament based on Peely's "Polar Peely" variant outfit.{{cite web|url=https://www.hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornaments/fortnite-polar-peely-ornament-1899QXI6327.html|title=Fortnite Polar Peely Ornament|publisher=Hallmark|accessdate=December 12, 2023}} In December 2023, Epic partnered with Lego to release a Lego version of a Peely variant outfit. PowerA, an American video game accessory manufacturer, released Peely-themed accessories including controllers and Nintendo Switch cases in February 2024.{{cite web|last=Bitner|first=Jon|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-wireless-controller-preorder-comes-with-in-game-content/1100-6521206/|title=Fortnite Wireless Controller Preorder Comes With In-Game Content|work=GameSpot|date=February 20, 2024|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

The character has been noted to be a popularly-selected character, with Tanner Dedmon of ComicBook.com writing that Peely has "persisted between seasons and has become a frequent pick with different variations released." In November 2021, Heavy{{'}}s Eli Becht wrote that "against all odds Peely has become an icon."{{cite web|last=Becht|first=Eli|url=https://heavy.com/games/fortnite/tech-legends-peely/|title=Fortnite Making Yet Another Peely Skin in Season 8|work=Heavy|date=November 8, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

Though a popular skin in the game, Peely and his design have bemused Fortnite{{'}}s player base and media writers alike. Calling Peely a "silly skin", Patricia Hernandez of Kotaku wrote that "Peely has never 100% made sense. When the giant banana was introduced in Season 8, everyone seemed confused over its anatomy."{{cite web|last=Hernandez|first=Patricia|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/31/20941727/peely-fortnitemares-fortnite-halloween-zombie-skin-bones-epic-games-shop|title=I have questions about the zombie Peely Fortnite skin|work=Polygon|date=October 31, 2019|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} Fellow Kotaku writer Ian Walker called Peely "grotesque".{{cite web|last=Walker|first=Ian|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/03/fortnites-awful-banana-man-is-finally-dead/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316212358/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2021/03/fortnites-awful-banana-man-is-finally-dead/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 16, 2021|title=Fortnite's Awful Banana Man Is Finally Dead|work=Kotaku|date=March 17, 2021|accessdate=July 20, 2024}} Writing for GameRevolution, Adam N. Roberts stated that "Peely, on its own, is already pretty strange looking. While a casual glance makes it seem like a guy in a banana suit, it's actually some kind of eldritch banana demon with skinny arms and legs". Walker similarly referred to Peely as a "Lovecraftian ghoul".

Variants of Peely have also attracted media coverage. Analyzing Peely's "Summer Legends" design, MacLeod wrote: "Props to Epic's artists: Peely's peel-less body is intensely evocative of actual bananas. When you look at him, you can practically feel the squishy, nubby sensation of peeling a banana that's been sitting in your beach cooler all day". Two Peely variants were included in a Dot Esports ranking of the ten best Fortnite skins: Peely's original variant was ranked at tenth, while his "Polar Peely" variant was ranked as the overall best, with the outlet noting that players who equip the Polar variant are "sweaty" and "mean business".{{cite web|last1=Harrison|first1=Christian|last2=McClain|first2=Dominique'|url=https://dotesports.com/fortnite/news/best-fortnite-skins-ranked|title= Best Fortnite skins, ranked (2023) |work=Dot Esports|date=August 17, 2023|accessdate=July 20, 2024}}

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Category:Bananas in popular culture

Category:Fortnite

Category:Fruit and vegetable characters

Category:Third-person shooter characters

Category:Video game characters introduced in 2019