Fortnite Introduces Sidekicks: Adorable Pets That Follow You Everywhere, but Comes at a Price
Epic Games has revealed a new cosmetic category for Fortnite called Sidekicks, adorable virtual pets that accompany players across multiple game modes. These lively companions will follow players around in Battle Royale, LEGO Fortnite, Save the World, Fortnite Festival (where they’ll stay backstage), and even in player-created experiences, provided creators enable their use.
While Sidekicks do not offer any gameplay advantages, they are designed to add personality and charm to the player experience. They can react dynamically to the environment and interact through unique Sidekick Emotes, adding life and humor to every match. The first of these pets, Peels, a “banana dog,” will be available starting tomorrow through the Battle Pass. Following that, Bonesy (for players who already own the Bonesy Back Bling), Spike, and Lil’ Raptor will become available next Friday. Epic has also teased upcoming additions for cat lovers, suggesting more pets are on the way.
However, one controversial aspect has already sparked criticism among the community. Epic Games has limited how much players can modify their Sidekicks, you can only customize a pet’s physical traits once. If you wish to create additional appearances, you’ll need to purchase the same pet again, as duplicate appearances are not allowed.
This monetization model has drawn backlash from players who view it as another method of overcharging for cosmetic content, especially since the feature will likely appeal most to younger audiences. Critics argue that such restrictions exploit customization appeal to encourage repeat purchases, effectively turning a cute feature into another premium microtransaction layer.
Still, Epic has included some degree of flexibility. Players can change their Sidekick’s name and accessories at any time and earn hats, hoodies, and other items by spending Sidekick Points, which are obtained by playing and interacting with their pet.
The addition of Sidekicks comes as Fortnite wraps up its current Shock ‘N Awesome season, which ends tomorrow at 8:30 AM Pacific / 11:30 AM Eastern / 4:30 PM Central European Time. Following the scheduled downtime of two to three hours, Chapter 6 Season 5 will launch, reportedly featuring a The Simpsons-themed crossover.
With Sidekicks entering the mix, Fortnite continues to expand its ever-growing cosmetic ecosystem, though at the cost of stirring up another microtransaction debate.
Would you pay extra to customize your Fortnite Sidekick more than once, or should Epic make these changes free for all players?
