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Some Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and this isn't due to recent in-game events. Fortnite's current mini-season, that introduces a Springfield world, has also rolled out a fresh mechanic known as pets. It's impossible to ignore that these latest companions are adorable. However, the associated costs have made many players stunned at the company's attempts to monetize nearly every part of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Companions are essentially like digital creatures, though with a few drawbacks. Players can name them, and these pets will accompany you during a match. These sidekicks are immortal, and you can pet them. Opposing gamers not in your squad are unable to see these pets — and displaying one's companions is arguably a big part of the fun of owning them. Pets can be customized with costumes and gestures, however the controversy centers on their looks. Each pet's main design can only be altered once, at which point that selection becomes permanent. Players can choose a companion's coat color, secondary colors, eye colors, markings, and its build size.

A Expensive Personalization Mechanism

Should you later decide that they'd like their sidekick to appear slightly altered, you cannot simply further customize the appearance. You have to buy a new sidekick. And, these pets aren't inexpensive. Most people are obtaining the Peels pet, because it is included in this season's battle pass. According to leaks, future sidekicks may cost from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks cost $22.99. However, players can rename a sidekick whenever you'd like.

Player Reaction and Parallels

Most sidekicks haven't been formally released yet, so the cost could easily be adjusted. But even if the company makes sidekicks more affordable, much of the frustration stems from the reality that gamers could need to spend for a single type of pet more than once. To certain players, the cost structure seems especially unfair considering the developer has already added companions that are carried around as part of back blings. Back bling pets lack a customization limitation and can be seen by fellow players in the game. Backpack buddies cannot be given a name or perform gestures, but other gamers can sometimes interact with them — and this is more favorable than being invisible altogether.

The absence of unique features and restricted engagement options have numerous players feeling disappointed. Why can't a player, such as, interact playfully with your fancy fruit-themed pet? A few note that companions sometimes fail to stay close with the player if a game is fast-paced, or observe that the banana pet occupies two spots in the battle pass — and this reinforces the notion that the developer is squeezing players for money. Profit-driven is a word that's appearing frequently in these discussions, with some comparing pet monetization to other aggressive monetization models in titles like popular sports games. Additionally, it doesn't help that some sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin versions.

"PLEASE do not buy Companion Pets," urges one popular online thread that encourages other gamers to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"We understand they're cute," the thread continues, "I know they are fun. I know we have all been anticipating them. However the monetization focus being shown is unacceptable and should not be supported."

The Broader Picture of Virtual Purchases

Over the past few years, the game's special occasions and partnerships have grown in scale and ambition, but the no-cost-to-start game continues to needs to generate income. Therefore, the sheer quantity of cosmetics users are able to now purchase has become nearly overwhelming. Beyond basics like back accessories, gliders, pickaxes, and gestures, you could possibly spend cash on footwear, music tracks, musical tools, building blocks, cars, wheels, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require payment, but also bring in a range of new revenue options for the developer. Presumably, users will before long be in a position to spend for items like pet looks, costumes, gestures, and further engagement features.

Every one of such cosmetics are entirely voluntary and unneeded to enjoy the game, yet equipment can still affect your social experience. Kids, for example, sometimes face teasing for using impressive enough outfits. A comparable issue previously occurred when the developer launched licensed shoes, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe pricing scheme was not well received either, and a few players promised that they'd avoid fall prey to the pressure at the time. However ultimately, purchasing footwear grew commonplace. Now, companion pets are further pushing the boundaries of what a gamer could be willing to pay to be distinctive amongst the player base.

What is Next for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a fairly recent feature, and they're part of a game that updates frequently. Some players are sharing that they've gotten a questionnaire that assesses how the community think about pet functionality and pricing, and this might possibly indicate that the company's strategy are still subject to change. Yet if Fortnite footwear are any indication, companions probably will not get more affordable in general — there will just be a broader range of costs to choose from.

After all, where some individuals are expressing anger at Fortnite item costs, different players are feeling only happiness for their new battle royale pals.