Fortnite has been criticized by some players for reusing the animations of its expensive Sidekick cosmetics. Sidekicks were introduced to Fortnite on November 1st, and while the new feature has the potential to be a charming addition to the battle royale title, it's 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 kept many players from embracing the new cosmetics. For starters, while Sidekicks are customizable, whatever appearance a player chooses as a companion remains permanent. Players can still change a Sidekick's name and accessories, but the appearance remains locked. Also, Sidekicks aren't cheap, costing between 1,200 and 1,500 V-Bucks, or around $10-$15 USD. Despite the novelty of Sidekicks, Epic Games is already reusing animations, and this has not sat well with some players.
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Fortnite's sidekicks use recycled animations
Reddit user carno_101 recently shared a side-by-side video of the two Fortnite Sidekicks that perform the same moves. Cuddle Team Jr. and The Simpsons Crossover offering, Itchy, are the two Sidekicks being compared, and it's clear that they indeed have the same animation. The biggest issue players have with this is the cost of Sidekicks. For items that cost between $10 and $15, many would prefer that each Sidekick felt like more time and effort was put into the animations, so it could justify the price a little more.
Not all Fortnite however, the player feels this way. On the other hand, there are some fans who aren't really that bothered by the recycled animation, arguing that a Sidekick's movement isn't the actual selling point of the teammate in the game. While many have agreed that Sidekicks are overpriced, one of the arguments in defense of the reused animation is that creating a unique set of moves for every single one is simply unreasonable, as it would take a lot of developer time.
It is ultimately up to the player to decide if a Sidekick is too expensive or not. Despite the debate over the price, many 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 use the same animations as well. For players who have no interest in Sidekicks, recycled animations are inevitably another reason not to buy them. But for those who like the cosmetic type, it's unlikely to deter them from adding Sidekicks to their cabinet.
- Released
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September 26, 2017
- ESRB
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T for Teens – Diverse Content: Discretion Advice, In-Game Purchases, User Interact
