Sega has agreed to let Sonic the Hedgehog appear in Fortnite, but only after devising a workaround: the character in-game is officially an "Android Sonic" rather than the real hero, allowing him to wield weapons without compromising his family-friendly image. Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka explained that Sega has long resisted putting a gun in Sonic's hands, much as Disney would with Mickey Mouse, which had stalled Epic Games' attempts at a crossover for several years. The compromise finally enabled Sega to bring its flagship mascot into Epic's shooter without conflicting with the character's established, non-violent persona.

The Android Sonic skin is the headline reward of Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4's Battle Pass, a video game-themed season featuring several other well-known characters, and is the first item players unlock upon purchase. Although listed simply as "Sonic the Hedgehog" in players' lockers, Iizuka confirmed it depicts an android version created specifically for this collaboration, distinct from the mainline character. According to Iizuka, Epic first approached Sega about a partnership "more than a couple of years ago", but this creative solution was needed before an official appearance could go ahead.