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A number of Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and it's not because of the latest virtual happenings. Fortnite's current limited-time event, that introduces a Simpsons-themed world, also rolled out a brand-new mechanic known as sidekicks. It's impossible to deny that the latest pets are cute. But, the associated prices have left many fans stunned at this company's efforts to monetize almost each aspect of the gaming experience.

Understanding Sidekicks?

Companions are essentially like digital creatures, but with some drawbacks. You can name them, and they will accompany you throughout a match. These sidekicks are indestructible, and you can interact with them. Other players not in the player's party are unable to see these pets — and displaying one's companions is arguably half the enjoyment of having them. Pets are able to be customized with costumes and emotes, but the debate revolves around their appearance. A sidekick's overall design is only able to be altered one time, at which point that choice becomes permanent. You can choose a sidekick's coat color, accent hues, iris tones, pattern, and their build size.

The Expensive Personalization System

Should a player later choose that you want your pet to appear slightly altered, it's not possible to simply further customize the look. Players must purchase a new companion. And, these pets aren't cheap. Most people are getting the Peels sidekick, because it's packaged with this season's battle pass. Based on unofficial reports, upcoming sidekicks may cost 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 cost $22.99. However, players can rename a companion whenever they want.

Community Response and Parallels

The majority of sidekicks haven't been formally released so far, meaning the cost could well be adjusted. Yet regardless of whether the developer makes companions more affordable, a lot of the frustration comes from the reality that gamers could have to pay for a one kind of sidekick multiple times. For some, the cost structure seems especially unfair when the game has already added companions that are carried around as part of back blings. Backpack pets lack a restriction on changes and can be seen by fellow players in the game. Backpack buddies can't be named or perform gestures, however opposing players can sometimes interact with them — which is more favorable than being unseen altogether.

Lack of special features and limited interaction options have many gamers feeling disappointed. Why can't a player, for example, play fetch with their stylish banana dog? Some note that sidekicks sometimes fail to stay close with the player if a game is fast-paced, or mention that Peels occupies two slots in the reward system — which reinforces the idea that the company is pressuring the community for money. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing frequently in these discussions, with some comparing pet pricing to other intense pricing schemes in titles like popular sports games. Additionally, it doesn't help that some sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"We urge you to do not buy Companion Pets," pleads one popular online post that encourages fellow gamers to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"I know they're cute," the thread adds, "I know they are enjoyable. We are aware everyone has been looking forward to them. However the monetization focus being shown is disgusting and must not be supported."

The Broader Picture of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have expanded in scope and aspiration, yet the free-to-play game still needs to generate income. Therefore, the sheer number of items players are able to now purchase has grown nearly excessive. Beyond basics like back accessories, deployment tools, pickaxes, and gestures, you could potentially spend cash on shoes, songs, musical tools, Lego pieces, vehicles, wheels, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require payment, but also bring in a host of new monetization options for the developer. It is likely, players will before long be in a position to pay for items like sidekick appearances, costumes, emotes, and further interaction options.

All of such cosmetics are completely optional and not necessary to enjoy the experience, but equipment can nonetheless affect your social interactions. Kids, for instance, sometimes encounter teasing for not wearing flashy sufficiently cool outfits. A comparable situation previously occurred when the company launched brand-name kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model was not popular either, and a few players promised that they'd avoid fall prey to the pressure back then. However in the end, buying shoes grew normalized. Now, companion pets are additionally testing the limits of how much a player might be willing to pay to be distinctive within the crowd.

What's Ahead for Companion Pets?

Pets are currently a fairly recent feature, and they're part of a title that updates regularly. A few fans are reporting that they have received a questionnaire that assesses how people think about pet mechanics and monetization, which could potentially mean that the developer's strategy are remain fluid. Yet if the game shoes are any indication, companions likely will not get more affordable in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of prices to shop.

After all, where some players are expressing anger at Fortnite item costs, others are experiencing nothing but joy for their competitive friends.