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A number of Fortnite players are experiencing disappointed, and it's not because of recent in-game events. Fortnite's newest mini-season, which introduces a Simpsons-themed world, has also rolled out a brand-new mechanic known as sidekicks. It's impossible to deny that the new pets are adorable. However, the attached costs have made numerous fans shocked at this company's attempts to monetize nearly each part of the game.

Understanding Companion Pets?

Companions are essentially like Pokémon, though having some limitations. Players can name them, and these pets will accompany you during a game. They are immortal, and players can pet them. Opposing gamers not in the player's squad cannot view sidekicks — and showing off one's companions is perhaps half the fun of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be customized with outfits and gestures, but the controversy revolves around their appearance. Each sidekick's main appearance can only be altered one time, after which that choice becomes permanent. You can choose a companion's fur shade, secondary colors, eye colors, markings, and its build size.

The Expensive Personalization System

Should a player afterward choose that they'd like your pet to look slightly altered, you cannot simply continue to modify the appearance. Players must purchase another companion. And, these pets are not cheap. The majority of people are getting the Peels pet, since it's included with the current battle pass. Based on leaks, future sidekicks may cost anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; to put that in perspective, 1,000 V-Bucks is priced at $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks cost $22.99. However, players can change the name of a sidekick whenever you'd like.

Community Response and Comparisons

Most pets have not been formally launched yet, so the pricing could easily change. But regardless of whether the company makes companions cheaper, a lot of the frustration comes from the fact that gamers could have to pay for a one type of pet more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems especially egregious when the game has previously added companions that ride about inside backpack accessories. Back bling companions do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by fellow players in the game. Back bling buddies cannot be named or use emotes, however other gamers are able to sometimes engage with them — and this is more favorable than being unseen altogether.

Lack of special features and limited engagement options have many gamers experiencing underwhelmed. Why can't a player, such as, interact playfully with your stylish banana dog? A few point out that companions sometimes fail to stay close with the user if a game is moving quickly, or mention that Peels occupies two spots in the battle pass — which reinforces the idea that the developer is pressuring players for money. Profit-driven is a term that's coming up frequently in these conversations, with some comparing pet monetization to other aggressive monetization models in games like popular sports games. It also adds to the issue that some pets are projected to be pricier than equivalent outfit versions.

"PLEASE do not buy Sidekicks," urges a highly-voted online post that advises other gamers to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand these pets are cute," the thread continues, "we realize they're fun. I know everyone has been anticipating them. But the monetization focus being shown is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

The Bigger Context of In-Game Purchases

Over the past few years, the game's special occasions and collaborations have expanded in scale and aspiration, but the no-cost-to-start game continues to must generate income. As such, the total number of items users are able to currently buy has grown nearly excessive. Beyond standard items like back accessories, gliders, pickaxes, and gestures, players might possibly use money on footwear, songs, instruments, building blocks, cars, wheels, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Sidekicks not only cost payment, and also introduce a host of new monetization avenues for the developer. Presumably, users will soon be in a position to spend for things like sidekick looks, outfits, gestures, and further interaction options.

Every one of such cosmetics are completely optional and unneeded to have fun with the game, yet gear can still affect a player's social experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes face teasing for not wearing impressive sufficiently cool outfits. A comparable issue also transpired when the company launched licensed kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe cost model wasn't well received either, and a few fans promised that they'd avoid fall prey to the temptation back then. However in the end, purchasing shoes grew normalized. Today, sidekicks are additionally testing the boundaries of how much a player could be willing to pay to stand out amongst the player base.

What is Next for Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are still a relatively new feature, and they exist a game that changes frequently. A few players are sharing that they have gotten a questionnaire that gauges how the community feel about pet functionality and monetization, and this might potentially mean that the company's plans are still fluid. But if Fortnite footwear are a sign, sidekicks likely won't get more affordable in general — instead, there may be a broader range of costs to choose from.

After all, while some players are expressing anger at Fortnite item costs, others are experiencing only joy for their new competitive pals.