After Only a Month, Fortnite is Re-Using Animations for Pricey $10-$15 Sidekicks

Fortnite has been criticized by some players for reusing the animations of its pricey Sidekick cosmetics. Sidekicks were introduced to Fortnite on November 1, and while the new feature has the potential to be a charming addition to the battle royale title, it has also been somewhat controversial right out of the gate.

Fortnite‘s Sidekicks are adorable companions that will follow players around during matches, but there are a few catches that have prevented a lot of players from embracing the new cosmetics. For starters, even though Sidekicks are customizable, whatever appearance a player chooses for the companion remains permanent. Players can still change a Sidekick’s name and accessories, but the appearance remains locked in. Also, Sidekicks aren’t cheap, costing between 1,200 and 1,500 V-Bucks, or around $10–$15 USD. Despite the newness of Sidekicks, Epic Games is already repurposing animations, and this hasn’t sat well with some players.

Fortnite’s Sidekicks Are Using Recycled Animations

Reddit user carno_101 recently shared a side-by-side video of two Fortnite Sidekicks performing the same movements. Cuddle Team Jr. and The Simpsons crossover offering, Itchy, are the two Sidekicks being compared, and it’s clear that they do indeed have the same animation. The main issue players are having with this is the cost of the Sidekicks. For items that cost between $10 and $15, many would prefer each Sidekick to feel as though there was more time and effort put into the animations, so it could justify the price a little bit more.

Not every Fortnite player feels this way, though. On the flip side, there are some fans who aren’t really that bothered by the recycled animation, claiming that a Sidekick’s movement isn’t the actual selling point of the in-game teammate. While many have agreed that the Sidekicks are overpriced, one of the arguments defending the reused animation is that it’s simply unreasonable to craft a unique set of movements for every single one, since that would take a lot of time for developers.

It’s ultimately up to the player to decide whether a Sidekick is overpriced or not. Despite the debate about price, plenty of fans have purchased their own battle royale companion. There are even more Sidekicks on the way, and it will be interesting to see if they utilize the same animations as well. For players who have no interest in Sidekicks, recycled animations are bound to be another reason not to buy them. However, for those who enjoy the cosmetic type, it’s unlikely to deter them from adding Sidekicks to their locker.

Released

September 26, 2017

ESRB

T for Teen – Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact