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Some Fortnite enthusiasts are feeling disappointed, and this isn't due to the latest virtual happenings. Fortnite's current mini-season, that brings a Springfield map, also unveiled a brand-new feature called sidekicks. It's impossible to deny that these new pets are cute. But, the associated prices have made many players shocked at this company's efforts to monetize almost each aspect of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Companions are basically like Pokémon, but with some limitations. You can name them, and they will follow your character throughout a match. These sidekicks are indestructible, and you can pet them. Other players not in your party cannot view sidekicks — and displaying your animal friends is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of having them. Pets are able to be customized with costumes and gestures, but the debate centers on their appearance. Each sidekick's main design can only be changed one time, after which that choice is final. Players can select a companion's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, pattern, and their body type.

A Expensive Customization System

If you later decide that you want their pet to appear slightly altered, it's not possible to just further modify the appearance. Players must buy another companion. And, these pets are not inexpensive. Most people are obtaining the banana-themed pet, since it's included with this season's reward track. According to unofficial reports, upcoming sidekicks could cost from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. You can change the name of a companion as many times as you'd like.

Player Response and Comparisons

Most pets haven't been formally released so far, so the cost may easily be adjusted. Yet even if the developer sets companions more affordable, much of the anger comes from the reality that players might need to spend for a single kind of sidekick more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme feels especially egregious when the game has already added companions that are carried about as part of backpack accessories. Back bling companions do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by other players in the match. Back bling pets can't be given a name or perform emotes, however opposing players are able to sometimes interact with them — and this is better than remaining unseen completely.

The absence of special features and restricted interaction options have numerous players feeling disappointed. For instance, why is it not possible to a player, such as, interact playfully with their fancy fruit-themed pet? Some note that companions do not always stay close with the user if a match is fast-paced, or observe that the banana pet occupies two spots in the battle pass — which reinforces the idea that the company is pressuring the community for revenue. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing frequently in such discussions, with a number of comparing pet pricing to other intense monetization models in titles like popular sports games. Additionally, it doesn't help that certain sidekicks are expected to be pricier than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"We urge you to avoid buy Companion Pets," urges one highly-voted online post that advises fellow gamers to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"I know these pets are adorable," the thread adds, "we realize they are enjoyable. We are aware everyone has been looking forward to them. However the monetization focus on display is disgusting and should not be supported."

A Bigger Picture of In-Game Purchases

In recent years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have expanded in scale and ambition, but the no-cost-to-start game continues to needs to generate revenue. As such, the total quantity of items players can currently purchase has become nearly excessive. In addition to standard items like back accessories, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could possibly use money on footwear, songs, musical tools, Lego pieces, vehicles, wheels, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a membership. Sidekicks not only require money, but also bring in a host of new revenue avenues for the developer. Presumably, users will before long be in a position to spend for things like sidekick looks, costumes, gestures, and further interaction features.

Every one of these cosmetics are entirely optional and unneeded to have fun with the experience, but gear can nonetheless influence your social experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes face bullying for not wearing impressive enough outfits. A similar issue also transpired when the company introduced licensed shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear pricing scheme was not well received either, and a few players vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the pressure back then. But ultimately, buying shoes became commonplace. Now, sidekicks are further pushing the boundaries of what a player could be prepared to pay to be distinctive within the player base.

What's Next for Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively recent addition, and they exist a title that changes regularly. Some players are sharing that they have gotten a survey that assesses how people think about sidekick mechanics and pricing, and this might potentially indicate that the developer's strategy are still fluid. But if the game shoes are a sign, companions probably will not become more affordable overall — there will just be a wider selection of prices to choose from.

Ultimately, while some players are expressing anger at Fortnite item costs, different players are feeling only joy for their new competitive pals.