Fortnite has finally introduced Sidekicks – tiny companion pets that follow players around, can be petted, and will even dance. The feature itself is precisely the sort of charming fluff many players wanted, but the rollout has been met with sharp criticism because of price and design choices.
The first wave of Sidekicks reportedly sells for around 1,200 to 1,500 V-Bucks, a cost that outstrips some character skins. Worse, customization options like ear shape, size, and color are locked in once you choose them. If you decide you want a “chonky” build after already choosing a slimmer model, the only option right now is to buy another Sidekick. That combination of high price and one-time customization is what has most players angry.
Community reaction has been loud on Reddit and X, with many players saying they won’t pay for the same cosmetic more than once to try different looks. Some users point out that the current Battle Pass already hands out duplicate companion copies, which makes the restriction feel oddly deliberate. Others have been sent a survey asking about the one-time customization mechanic, suggesting Epic is at least gathering feedback.
This comes as Sidekicks arrive alongside the update that also brought the Simpsons crossover and Springfield map. We previously covered that update and the wider Sidekicks rollout in our piece on Fortnite Update 38.00, and the companion return in Fortnite will bring back companions with Sidekicks arriving this weekend.
There are a few different ways Epic could respond. They could lower prices, make appearance changes refundable or changeable, or add a cheaper recolor option so players do not need to repurchase an entire Sidekick for a small look tweak. For now, the community is pushing back and urging others to vote with their wallets. Fortnite players will be watching the next few days closely to see whether Epic alters pricing or the customization rules. If enough players refuse to buy, that might be the clearest signal of discontent.
Join the conversation and follow our coverage on X, Bluesky, and YouTube.
