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A number of Fortnite players are experiencing disappointed, and this isn't due to recent in-game events. The game's current limited-time event, that introduces a Springfield world, has also rolled out a fresh feature called sidekicks. It's impossible to ignore that the new pets are adorable. However, the attached prices have made numerous fans stunned at the company's attempts to monetize almost each aspect of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are essentially like Pokémon, but having some limitations. Players can give them a name, and they will follow your character during a match. They are indestructible, and you can pet them. Other gamers not in your squad cannot view sidekicks — and displaying your companions is arguably half the enjoyment of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with costumes and gestures, but the debate revolves around their looks. A sidekick's overall appearance is only able to be altered one time, after which that choice is permanent. You can choose a companion's fur shade, secondary colors, iris tones, pattern, and its build size.

The Costly Customization System

If you later decide that they'd like your sidekick to appear a bit different, it's not possible to simply continue to modify the appearance. You have to buy another sidekick. Furthermore, sidekicks aren't cheap. The majority of people are getting the Peels pet, because it is included in this season's reward track. Based on leaks, future pets may cost anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 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 as many times as you'd like.

Community Response and Comparisons

The majority of pets have not been officially launched so far, meaning the cost may easily change. Yet regardless of whether the company sets sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the frustration stems from the reality that gamers could need to spend for a single type of sidekick more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems especially unfair when the developer has previously added companions that ride about as part of backpack accessories. Backpack companions do not have a customization limitation and are visible by fellow participants in the match. Back bling buddies cannot be given a name or perform gestures, however opposing players are able to sometimes interact with them — and this is better than being invisible completely.

The absence of unique features and restricted interaction choices have numerous players experiencing underwhelmed. Why can't you, for example, interact playfully with their stylish fruit-themed pet? Some note that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the user if a match is fast-paced, or observe that Peels occupies two spots in the battle pass — and this reinforces the idea that the company is squeezing players for money. Profit-driven is a word that's coming up frequently in these discussions, with some comparing sidekick pricing to similar intense pricing schemes in games like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that certain sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than their character skin versions.

"PLEASE avoid purchasing Companion Pets," urges a highly-voted community thread that advises other gamers to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"We understand these pets are cute," the thread continues, "we realize they are fun. We are aware everyone has been looking forward to them. However the greed being shown is unacceptable and should not be supported."

A Broader Context of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, the game's events and collaborations have grown in scale and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start game continues to must generate income. As such, the total number of items players are able to now buy has become nearly overwhelming. In addition to basics like back blings, gliders, harvesting tools, and emotes, players might possibly use cash on shoes, music tracks, instruments, building blocks, cars, tires, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Sidekicks do not just require money, and also introduce a range of fresh monetization options for the company. Presumably, users will soon be able to spend for items like sidekick looks, outfits, gestures, and further interaction options.

Every one of these cosmetics are entirely optional and unneeded to have fun with the game, yet gear can nonetheless influence your social interactions. Younger players, for example, sometimes face bullying for not wearing flashy sufficiently cool skins. A comparable situation also transpired when the company introduced licensed kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model wasn't popular either, and some players promised that they wouldn't fall prey to the temptation back then. However ultimately, purchasing footwear grew normalized. Now, sidekicks are further testing the limits of what a gamer might be prepared to pay to stand out within the player base.

What's Next for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively new addition, and they're part of a game that updates regularly. Some fans are reporting that they have gotten a survey that assesses how the community think about sidekick mechanics and monetization, which could potentially indicate that the developer's plans are remain fluid. Yet if the game footwear are any indication, sidekicks probably will not get more affordable overall — instead, there may be a wider range of costs to choose from.

Ultimately, while certain players are raging at the game item costs, others are feeling only happiness for their new battle royale pals.