According to HotHardware, Epic Games is facing massive player backlash over its new Sidekick pets in Fortnite. These customizable companions cost between 1,000 and 1,500 V-Bucks, which translates to roughly $9 to $18 per pet. The controversy stems from pets being permanently locked to their initial customizations, forcing players to buy entirely new pets if they want different fur colors, patterns, or outfits. A Reddit post urging players to boycott the Sidekicks has gained over 4,000 upvotes, with players calling Epic’s approach “disgusting greed.” Despite the outrage, this represents just a fraction of Fortnite’s massive daily player base of over 2 million users.
The Core Problem Isn’t The Pets
Here’s the thing – players aren’t actually mad about the pets themselves. The concept of having cute companions follow you around actually sounds pretty great. The anger is entirely about the implementation. Basically, Epic took what should have been a fun cosmetic system and turned it into what feels like a cash grab.
Think about it: you spend $18 on a pet, then realize you don’t like the fur pattern you chose. Tough luck. Want to change it? That’ll be another $18 please. It’s the digital equivalent of buying a car where you can’t change the radio station without buying a whole new vehicle. And let’s be real – how many kids are going to pressure their parents into multiple purchases because they made a quick decision they later regret?
Community Organizing Against The System
The player response has been fascinating to watch. On Reddit, users are actively organizing what amounts to a consumer strike. One popular post explicitly tells fellow players: “I know they’re cute. I know they’re fun. I know we have all been looking forward to them. But the greed on display is disgusting and should not be rewarded.”
Now, 4,000 upvotes might seem small compared to Fortnite‘s millions of players. But these are the engaged, dedicated fans who typically drive cosmetic purchases. If even a fraction of the core community boycotts, Epic will notice the financial impact. The question is whether the silent majority will follow the activists’ lead or just open their wallets anyway.
This Isn’t Epic’s First Rodeo
Look, Epic has been down this road before. They’ve faced backlash over pricing and monetization strategies multiple times. The company knows exactly what they’re doing here – they’re testing the limits of what players will accept. And honestly? They’ve probably run the numbers and decided this pricing model will work despite the vocal opposition.
But there’s a bigger picture here. Fortnite makes billions from cosmetics. When players feel like they’re being treated unfairly, it damages the relationship that makes those billions possible. The pets themselves could have been a huge win – instead, they’ve become another example of corporate greed in gaming. Will players actually vote with their wallets? We’re about to find out.
