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A number of Fortnite players are experiencing let down, and it's not due to recent virtual events. The game's current limited-time event, which brings a Simpsons-themed world, has also unveiled a brand-new feature called sidekicks. It's impossible to deny that the new companions are adorable. However, the attached costs have made numerous players shocked at this developer's attempts to monetize almost each aspect of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Companions are essentially similar to Pokémon, though having some drawbacks. Players can name them, and they will follow you throughout a game. They are immortal, and players can interact with them. Other players outside the player's squad cannot view these pets — and displaying one's companions is perhaps a big part of the fun of owning them. Sidekicks can be customized with outfits and gestures, but the controversy revolves around their looks. A sidekick's overall design is only able to be changed once, at which point that selection is final. Players can choose a companion's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, markings, and their build size.

The Costly Customization System

If a player afterward decide that they'd like your sidekick to appear slightly different, you cannot just continue to customize the appearance. You have to buy a new sidekick. Furthermore, these pets are not cheap. Most people are getting the banana-themed pet, because it's packaged with the current battle pass. According to unofficial reports, upcoming sidekicks could be priced at 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 are $22.99. However, players can rename a sidekick whenever they want.

Player Response and Parallels

The majority of sidekicks have not been formally launched so far, so the pricing could easily change. Yet regardless of whether the company sets sidekicks more affordable, much of the frustration comes from the reality that players could have to spend for a single kind of pet more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems particularly unfair when the developer has already added companions that ride around as part of back blings. Backpack pets lack a customization limitation and can be seen by other players in the game. Back bling pets cannot be named or perform emotes, however other players can occasionally interact with them — which is more favorable than being invisible altogether.

The absence of special features and restricted interaction options have many players experiencing underwhelmed. Why can't a player, for example, interact playfully with their fancy fruit-themed pet? A few note that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the user if a game is moving quickly, or mention that Peels occupies two slots in the battle pass — and this supports the notion that the developer is pressuring the community for revenue. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing frequently in these conversations, with some comparing pet pricing to other intense monetization models in titles like EA Sports FC. Additionally, it doesn't help that certain sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent outfit versions.

"We urge you to avoid purchasing Companion Pets," urges a highly-voted online thread that advises fellow gamers to proverbially express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand these pets are adorable," the thread adds, "we realize they're fun. We are aware we have all been anticipating them. But the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

A Broader Context of In-Game Purchases

In recent years, Fortnite's special occasions and partnerships have expanded in scope and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start title continues to needs to generate income. Therefore, the total number of items users can now buy has grown nearly excessive. Beyond basics like back blings, gliders, pickaxes, and gestures, you could potentially spend cash on footwear, songs, instruments, building blocks, cars, tires, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Companion pets do not just require money, and also bring in a range of fresh monetization avenues for the company. It is likely, players will before long be able to pay for items like pet appearances, costumes, gestures, and further engagement options.

All of such customization items are entirely voluntary and not necessary to have fun with the game, but gear can still affect a player's social interactions. Younger players, for instance, sometimes encounter teasing for using impressive enough skins. A similar issue previously occurred when the company launched brand-name kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe cost model was not well received either, and a few fans promised that they'd avoid succumb to the pressure at the time. But in the end, buying shoes became commonplace. Today, sidekicks are additionally pushing the boundaries of what a gamer might be prepared to spend to stand out amongst the player base.

What is Next for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively new feature, and they exist a title that updates regularly. A few fans are reporting that they've gotten a survey that assesses how the community think about pet functionality and monetization, which could potentially indicate that the company's plans are remain fluid. Yet if the game shoes are any indication, sidekicks probably will not get cheaper in general — there will just be a wider range of costs to choose from.

Ultimately, where certain individuals are raging at the game item costs, different players are feeling nothing but joy for their new competitive friends.