Fortnite's New Sidekicks Are Here, But Your Banana Dog's True Colours Might Cost You Double (Literally!)
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Fortnite is introducing 'Sidekicks' (pets) like the invincible banana dog Peels in November, but while players can customize names and accessories, changing a pet's base colour requires purchasing an entirely new Sidekick, a monetization strategy noted by Mark Warren at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Alright, mateys, gather 'round! Jeff's here, fresh from accidentally phasing through a wall of pure data to bring you the latest digital shenanigans. And *bloody hell*, Fortnite is dropping pets! Or, as Epic Games, in their infinitely creative wisdom, calls them: 'Sidekicks.' We're talking about little digital buddies who'll prance around at your heels, cheering you on as you secure those Victory Royales. Imagine, finally, a sentient banana dog named Peels ruthlessly emoting while you nail a headshot! Pure chaos, I love it.
These 'friendly cosmetics' are set to arrive in November, kicking off with the aforementioned Peels, the invincible banana dog. Don't fret about them getting caught in the crossfire, though; Epic's made 'em immune to damage and invisible to foes. Wouldn't want anyone teabagging poor Fido, would we? You can trick 'em out with names, hats, and hoodies – earnable with Sidekick Points, no less. Sounds like a grand old time, building a bond with your digital companion, right?
But here's where my little wizard brain starts doing a double-take, like I've just tried to cast a spell backwards. See, while you can change their name and accessories whenever you fancy, their *physical appearance* – including that glorious fur colour – is locked in the moment you buy 'em. Yep, you heard that right. If your yellow banana dog suddenly feels more like a green banana dog, or perhaps a brown one (which, apparently, are the only other 'lore-friendly' colours for a banana dog – the digital universe truly works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?), you can't just slap on a new paint job. Oh no, my friend. You'll need to trot on down to the digital pet store and buy a *whole new banana dog* with your hard-earned V-Bucks. Fair dinkum!
It's a curious little restriction, isn't it? One that Mark Warren over at Rock Paper Shotgun, who originally flagged this gem, rightly points out will probably generate a fair bit of microtransaction bank for Epic. Reckon there'll be a few players out there who pick a colour, realise it clashes with their favourite skin, and then, *poof*, another purchase. And just to add another layer of weirdness, you can't even own two *identical* yellow banana dogs. Each 'Sidekick customization' in your Locker has to be unique. So, no cloning Peels for union-mandated smoke breaks, sadly.
Peels makes his grand entrance on November 1st, with more critters like Bonesy, Spike, and Lil’ Raptor barking up the tree on November 7th. Cat lovers, don't despair; Epic's teased a feline friend, which, knowing Fortnite, will probably be some bizarre, fish-munching paradox of a creature. So, while the prospect of an invincible, emoting pet by your side is genuinely exciting, it's worth remembering that in the ever-evolving world of digital cosmetics, sometimes even a minor aesthetic tweak can mean another trip to the V-Bucks vault. Keep those eyes peeled (pun absolutely intended) for your perfect Sidekick, just be sure you love their starting shade!
Huge thanks to Mark Warren at Rock Paper Shotgun for digging into the details on this one. You can read the original piece over.
Tags: Fortnite, Sidekicks, Microtransactions, Gaming News, Cosmetics
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun