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A number of Fortnite enthusiasts are feeling let down, and this isn't due to recent virtual happenings. The game's current mini-season, that introduces a Simpsons-themed map, has also unveiled a brand-new mechanic known as sidekicks. There's no ignore that these latest companions are cute. But, the attached prices have made numerous fans stunned at this developer's attempts to profit from nearly each part of the gaming experience.

What Are Sidekicks?

Companions are essentially like digital creatures, though having some limitations. You can give them a name, and these pets will follow your character throughout a game. They are immortal, and players can pet them. Opposing gamers not in your party are unable to see these pets — and showing off your companions is perhaps half the enjoyment of having them. Sidekicks are able to be customized with costumes and gestures, but the debate revolves around their looks. A sidekick's main appearance can only be altered once, after which that selection is permanent. Players can choose a sidekick's coat color, secondary colors, iris tones, markings, and their build size.

The Expensive Customization System

If a player later choose that they'd like your sidekick to look a bit different, you cannot simply continue to customize the appearance. You have to buy another companion. Furthermore, these pets aren't cheap. Most people are getting the Peels sidekick, since it is included with this season's battle pass. Based on leaks, future pets could be priced at from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; to put that in perspective, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. You can rename a sidekick whenever you'd like.

Player Response and Comparisons

Most sidekicks haven't been formally launched yet, meaning the pricing may easily change. Yet regardless of whether the developer makes sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the anger stems from the reality that players might have to pay for a one type of sidekick multiple times. To certain players, the cost structure seems particularly unfair when the game has previously introduced pets that are carried around inside back blings. Backpack pets lack a restriction on changes and are visible by other players in the game. Backpack pets cannot be given a name or perform emotes, but other gamers are able to occasionally engage with them — and this is more favorable than being unseen completely.

Lack of unique functions and limited engagement options have numerous players feeling underwhelmed. Why can't a player, such as, interact playfully with their stylish fruit-themed pet? A few point out that companions sometimes fail to stay close with the user if a match is fast-paced, or mention that the banana pet takes up two spots in the reward system — which reinforces the notion that the developer is squeezing the community for money. Greedy is a term that's appearing frequently in such discussions, with some likening sidekick monetization to other aggressive monetization models in games like EA Sports FC. Additionally, it adds to the issue that certain pets are expected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"We urge you to do not purchasing Companion Pets," urges one popular online post that encourages other players to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"I know these pets are adorable," the post adds, "we realize they are fun. I know we have all been anticipating them. But the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

A Broader Picture of Virtual Spending

Over the past few years, the game's special occasions and collaborations have expanded in scale and ambition, but the free-to-play game still must earn income. As such, the sheer quantity of cosmetics users are able to currently purchase has become almost overwhelming. In addition to basics like back blings, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and gestures, players might potentially use money on footwear, songs, instruments, building blocks, cars, wheels, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require money, and also introduce a host of new revenue options for the company. It is likely, players will soon be in a position to spend for things like pet looks, outfits, gestures, and further engagement features.

Every one of these cosmetics are entirely optional and not necessary to have fun with the experience, yet gear can still affect your community experience. Younger players, for example, sometimes encounter bullying for using flashy sufficiently cool skins. A similar situation previously transpired when the developer introduced licensed kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model wasn't well received as well, and a few players promised that they wouldn't succumb to the pressure back then. However ultimately, purchasing footwear became commonplace. Now, companion pets are additionally testing the boundaries of how much a player might be prepared to spend to stand out amongst the player base.

What is Next for Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively new addition, and they're part of a game that updates regularly. A few fans are sharing that they have gotten a survey that assesses how the community feel about pet functionality and monetization, and this might possibly mean that the developer's plans are still subject to change. Yet if the game shoes are any indication, sidekicks likely won't become more affordable in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of prices to choose from.

Ultimately, where some individuals are raging at Fortnite item costs, others are experiencing nothing but joy for their competitive friends.