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A number of Fortnite enthusiasts are experiencing disappointed, and it's not due to the latest virtual events. The game's newest limited-time event, that brings a Springfield map, also unveiled a brand-new feature known as sidekicks. There's no deny that the new companions are adorable. However, the associated costs have made numerous fans stunned at this developer's efforts to profit from nearly each part of the gaming experience.

Understanding Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are basically similar to digital creatures, but with some drawbacks. You can give them a name, and these pets will follow you throughout a game. They are indestructible, and players can interact with them. Opposing gamers not in your squad are unable to view sidekicks — and displaying one's companions is arguably a big part of the fun of owning them. Sidekicks can be outfitted with costumes and emotes, however the controversy revolves around their looks. Each pet's main appearance is only able to be altered one time, at which point that choice is final. You can choose a companion's coat color, accent hues, eye colors, markings, and their body type.

The Expensive Customization Mechanism

If a player later choose that they'd like their sidekick to appear a bit different, it's not possible to simply further modify its appearance. You have to buy another companion. Furthermore, these pets aren't cheap. Most people are getting the banana-themed sidekick, because it's included with this season's battle pass. Based on 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 companion as many times as they want.

Community Reaction and Comparisons

Most pets haven't been formally released yet, meaning the cost could well change. But even if the developer makes sidekicks cheaper, much of the frustration stems from the fact that players might have to spend for a one type of sidekick more than once. For some, the pricing scheme seems particularly unfair when the game has previously added pets that ride about as part of backpack accessories. Back bling companions lack a restriction on changes and can be seen by other players in the match. Backpack pets can't be named or use gestures, but opposing gamers are able to occasionally engage with them — and this is better than being invisible altogether.

The absence of special features and limited engagement options have many players experiencing disappointed. Why can't you, for example, play fetch with your fancy banana dog? Some note that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the user if a game is moving quickly, or mention that the banana pet occupies two slots in the reward system — which reinforces the notion that the company is squeezing players for revenue. Profit-driven is a word that's appearing frequently in such discussions, with a number of comparing pet monetization to other intense pricing schemes in titles like popular sports games. It also adds to the issue that some sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"We urge you to avoid purchasing Companion Pets," pleads one popular community post that encourages fellow gamers to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"I know they're cute," the thread continues, "I know they're enjoyable. We are aware everyone has been anticipating them. However the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

The Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

Over the past few years, the game's special occasions and partnerships have grown in scale and ambition, but the free-to-play game still needs to earn income. Therefore, the total number of cosmetics users can now purchase has become nearly excessive. Beyond basics like back accessories, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and emotes, players might potentially spend money on shoes, songs, instruments, building blocks, cars, tires, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a membership. Companion pets do not just cost money, but also introduce a host of fresh monetization avenues for the developer. Presumably, users will soon be in a position to spend for things like pet looks, costumes, gestures, and further interaction features.

All of these cosmetics are completely voluntary and not necessary to enjoy the experience, but equipment can still influence your social interactions. Younger players, for instance, at times encounter teasing for not wearing impressive enough outfits. A comparable situation previously occurred when the developer launched brand-name shoes, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear pricing scheme was not well received as well, and a few players vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the pressure back then. However in the end, purchasing shoes became commonplace. Today, companion pets are additionally testing the boundaries of what a gamer could be prepared to spend to stand out amongst the player base.

What's Next for Companion Pets?

Pets are still a fairly new addition, and they're part of a game that updates regularly. A few fans are reporting that they've gotten a questionnaire that gauges how the community feel about pet mechanics and pricing, and this might potentially indicate that the company's plans are still fluid. Yet if the game footwear are a sign, sidekicks likely will not get cheaper overall — instead, there may be a broader selection of prices to shop.

After all, while certain players are raging at the game item costs, others are feeling nothing but happiness for their new competitive friends.