Fortnite is preparing to imbue its Sidekicks, the non-gameplay-affecting pets that have accompanied players for nearly a year, with a more active role, drawing parallels to the creature-collecting mechanics popularized by franchises like Pokémon. A new trailer suggests that these digital companions will soon move beyond their purely cosmetic function.
Previously, Sidekicks were designed to react dynamically to player actions, showing enthusiasm after a successful elimination or sadness when their owner was defeated. However, their impact was limited, and crucially, other players could not even see these companions during matches. The upcoming Cuddles and Chaos Collection update aims to change this.
While Epic Games has remained somewhat vague on the exact details, the July 23 patch is slated to introduce a suite of "creature-based games where sidekicks take center stage." A trailer featuring conservationist and Twitch streamer Maya Higa appears to depict a scenario where players engage in pet-based battles against each other. The visual presentation of the trailer, which focuses on human trainers interacting with their companions, evokes the style of Pokémon Go promotional material. This direction is further supported by recent in-game surveys that have inquired about player engagement with titles like Palworld, a monster-collecting game that has achieved significant commercial success.
Earlier in June, Epic Games enabled developers using the Unreal Editor for Fortnite to integrate Sidekicks as scriptable Non-Player Characters. This initiative encouraged the creation of diverse game experiences, including "monster battlers, cozy farming games, creature-collection RPGs, companion adventures, and more." The simultaneous launch of islands featuring these types of games on July 23 suggests a coordinated effort to showcase these new Sidekick functionalities.
The success of this new direction hinges on player reception. The creature designs themselves may not rival the iconic appeal of characters like Pikachu. Fortnite has experienced a resurgence in player numbers recently, partly attributed to its collectible sprites that also bear a resemblance to Pokémon. However, if the Cuddles and Chaos Collection manifests as a series of temporary islands or modes, its long-term viability may be questionable, given Epic Games' historical challenges in sustaining player interest outside of its core Battle Royale mode. The island "Steal the Brainrot," a clone of a popular Roblox game, has been a recent notable exception.