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Some battle royale enthusiasts are feeling let down, and it's not because of recent virtual events. Fortnite's newest limited-time event, that introduces a Springfield world, also unveiled a brand-new feature called sidekicks. There's no ignore that the latest pets are cute. However, the associated costs have made many players shocked at this company's attempts to monetize nearly every part of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Companions are basically similar to digital creatures, but with a few drawbacks. Players can name them, and these pets will follow your character throughout a game. These sidekicks are indestructible, and you can pet them. Other players not in the player's party are unable to view these pets — and showing off your companions is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of owning them. Pets can be outfitted with outfits and emotes, however the controversy centers on their looks. A pet's main design can only be altered one time, after which that choice becomes final. You can select a companion's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, markings, and their body type.

A Expensive Customization Mechanism

Should a player afterward decide that you want your pet to look a bit altered, it's not possible to just further customize the appearance. Players must purchase another companion. And, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. Most people are getting the Peels sidekick, since it's packaged in the current battle pass. According to unofficial reports, upcoming pets could be priced at from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; to put that in perspective, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. However, players can rename a sidekick as many times as they want.

Community Reaction and Comparisons

The majority of sidekicks haven't been officially launched so far, so the pricing may well change. Yet even if the developer sets sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the frustration comes from the fact that players might have to spend for a single kind of pet multiple times. To certain players, the cost structure seems particularly unfair considering the game has already added companions that ride about as part of backpack accessories. Backpack companions lack a restriction on changes and are visible by other participants in the match. Backpack buddies cannot be named or use gestures, but opposing gamers are able to occasionally interact with them — and this is better than being invisible altogether.

Lack of special functions and limited interaction options have many gamers experiencing disappointed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, such as, play fetch with your fancy fruit-themed pet? Some point out that companions do not always stay close with the player if a game is fast-paced, or observe that the banana pet occupies two spots in the reward system — and this supports the idea that the developer is pressuring players for money. Greedy is a term that's coming up frequently in these conversations, with some comparing sidekick pricing to other aggressive monetization models in games like popular sports games. Additionally, it adds to the issue that certain pets are expected to be pricier than equivalent outfit versions.

"We urge you to avoid buy Sidekicks," urges one popular community thread that encourages fellow gamers to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"We understand these pets are adorable," the thread continues, "I know they are enjoyable. I know everyone has been anticipating them. But the monetization focus being shown is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

A Bigger Context of In-Game Spending

Over the past few years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have grown in scope and ambition, but the no-cost-to-start game continues to must earn income. As such, the total quantity of cosmetics users can now purchase has become almost overwhelming. Beyond basics like back accessories, gliders, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could possibly use money on shoes, music tracks, musical tools, building blocks, vehicles, tires, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a subscription. Sidekicks do not just require payment, but also introduce a host of new monetization options for the developer. Presumably, players will before long be in a position to pay for things like sidekick looks, costumes, gestures, and further interaction features.

All of such customization items are completely optional and not necessary to have fun with the game, but equipment can nonetheless affect a player's social experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes encounter teasing for using impressive sufficiently cool skins. A comparable issue previously transpired when the developer launched licensed shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear cost model was not popular as well, and some players promised that they wouldn't succumb to the temptation at the time. However ultimately, buying footwear became commonplace. Now, sidekicks are further pushing the boundaries of how much a gamer might be willing to spend to stand out within the crowd.

What is Ahead for Sidekicks?

Pets are still a fairly recent addition, and they exist a game that updates regularly. Some players are reporting that they've gotten a questionnaire that gauges how the community feel about sidekick mechanics and pricing, which could potentially indicate that the developer's strategy are still fluid. Yet if the game shoes are a sign, companions likely won't become cheaper in general — instead, there may be a broader range of costs to shop.

Ultimately, where certain individuals are raging at Fortnite item costs, others are feeling only happiness for their competitive friends.