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A number of Fortnite enthusiasts are feeling let down, and it's not due to recent virtual events. The game's newest mini-season, that introduces a Simpsons-themed map, also unveiled a fresh feature known as pets. There's no deny that the new companions are cute. However, the attached costs have made many players shocked at this developer's attempts to monetize nearly each part of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Companions are basically similar to digital creatures, but having some limitations. You can give them a name, and they will accompany you throughout a game. They are indestructible, and players can pet them. Other players not in your squad cannot view sidekicks — and showing off one's animal friends is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of having them. Pets are able to be outfitted with costumes and gestures, however the debate centers on their looks. A sidekick's overall design is only able to be altered once, at which point that choice is final. You can select a companion's coat color, accent hues, eye colors, markings, and their body type.

A Expensive Personalization Mechanism

If a player later choose that you want their sidekick to appear a bit altered, it's not possible to just continue to modify its look. Players must purchase another companion. And, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. Most people are obtaining the Peels sidekick, since it's included with this season's battle pass. According to leaks, future pets may cost anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; to put that in perspective, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks cost $22.99. However, players can change the name of a sidekick as many times as you'd like.

Community Response and Parallels

The majority of sidekicks have not been formally launched yet, meaning the cost could well change. Yet regardless of whether the developer sets sidekicks more affordable, much of the anger stems from the fact that gamers might need to pay for a single type of pet more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme feels especially egregious when the game has already introduced companions that ride about as part of back blings. Back bling companions do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by other participants in the match. Backpack buddies cannot be given a name or perform emotes, but other players can sometimes engage with them — and this is more favorable than being unseen completely.

The absence of unique functions and restricted interaction options have many players experiencing disappointed. Why can't you, for example, play fetch with their stylish fruit-themed pet? A few point out that companions do not always stay close with the user if a match is fast-paced, or mention that Peels takes up two spots in the reward system — which reinforces the idea that the company is squeezing players for money. Profit-driven is a word that's appearing frequently in such conversations, with a number of comparing pet monetization to similar intense pricing schemes in games like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that some pets are expected to be pricier than equivalent outfit versions.

"We urge you to avoid purchasing Sidekicks," urges a popular community thread that advises fellow players to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"I know they're adorable," the post adds, "I know they're enjoyable. We are aware we have all been anticipating them. However the greed on display is unacceptable and must not be supported."

A Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

Over the past few years, Fortnite's special occasions and partnerships have expanded in scale and aspiration, but the free-to-play game still needs to earn income. As such, the total number of cosmetics players can now purchase has become almost excessive. Beyond basics like back blings, deployment tools, pickaxes, and emotes, you could possibly use cash on shoes, music tracks, instruments, Lego pieces, vehicles, tires, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a membership. Sidekicks not only require money, but also introduce a host of fresh revenue avenues for the developer. It is likely, users will before long be in a position to spend for items like pet appearances, costumes, emotes, and additional interaction features.

Every one of such customization items are entirely voluntary and not necessary to have fun with the experience, yet equipment can still influence your social experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes encounter bullying for not wearing flashy enough skins. A similar situation also transpired when the developer introduced brand-name shoes, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model wasn't well received either, and some fans vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the temptation at the time. But in the end, buying shoes grew normalized. Now, companion pets are further pushing the boundaries of what a player might be willing to spend to stand out within the crowd.

What's Next for Companion Pets?

Pets are currently a relatively recent addition, and they're part of a game that changes frequently. A few players are reporting that they've gotten a survey that assesses how people feel about sidekick mechanics and pricing, and this might possibly indicate that the developer's strategy are remain fluid. But if Fortnite shoes are a sign, companions probably will not get cheaper in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of prices to shop.

Ultimately, where certain individuals are raging at Fortnite item costs, different players are experiencing nothing but joy for their competitive pals.