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A number of Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and it's not due to recent virtual events. Fortnite's current limited-time event, that brings a Simpsons-themed world, has also rolled out a brand-new mechanic called sidekicks. There's no deny that these latest companions are cute. However, the attached costs have made numerous players shocked at this developer's attempts to monetize almost each part of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are basically similar to digital creatures, though having some drawbacks. Players can name them, and they will follow your character during a game. These sidekicks are immortal, and you can interact with them. Other gamers outside the player's squad are unable to see sidekicks — and showing off one's animal friends is arguably half the fun of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with outfits and emotes, however the debate revolves around their looks. Each pet's overall design can only be altered once, after which that selection is permanent. You can select a sidekick's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, markings, and its body type.

A Costly Customization System

If a player later decide that they'd like your pet to look a bit different, it's not possible to just further modify the look. You have to purchase another companion. And, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. Most people are getting the Peels sidekick, since it's packaged in this season's reward track. According to leaks, future pets may cost 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 cost $22.99. You can rename a sidekick as many times as they want.

Player Reaction and Comparisons

Most pets haven't been officially released yet, so the cost could easily be adjusted. But even if the developer makes companions more affordable, much of the anger comes from the reality that gamers might have to pay for a single kind of sidekick multiple times. For some, the pricing scheme seems particularly unfair when the game has previously introduced pets that are carried about as part of backpack accessories. Back bling pets lack a customization limitation and are visible by other participants in the game. Backpack pets can't be named or perform emotes, however opposing gamers are able to sometimes interact with them — and this is more favorable than being invisible completely.

Lack of special features and limited engagement choices have numerous players experiencing disappointed. For instance, why is it not possible to a player, such as, play fetch with their fancy banana dog? A few note that companions do not always keep up with the user if a match is moving quickly, or observe that Peels occupies two slots in the battle pass — which supports the idea that the developer is pressuring the community for revenue. Greedy is a term that's appearing frequently in such conversations, with some comparing sidekick pricing to other aggressive pricing schemes in games like EA Sports FC. It also adds to the issue that certain sidekicks are expected to be pricier than equivalent outfit counterparts.

"PLEASE avoid buy Sidekicks," pleads a popular online thread that advises fellow gamers to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"We understand they're cute," the post continues, "we realize they're enjoyable. We are aware we have all been looking forward to them. However the greed on display is unacceptable and should not be supported."

A Broader Context of In-Game Spending

In recent years, Fortnite's events and collaborations have expanded in scope and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start game still must earn income. As such, the total number of cosmetics users are able to now purchase has grown nearly overwhelming. In addition to basics like back accessories, deployment tools, pickaxes, and gestures, players might potentially use cash on shoes, music tracks, musical tools, Lego pieces, cars, wheels, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require payment, and also introduce a range of new revenue avenues for the developer. Presumably, users will soon be in a position to pay for items like pet appearances, outfits, gestures, and further engagement options.

All of these cosmetics are entirely voluntary and unneeded to enjoy the experience, yet gear can nonetheless affect your community interactions. Kids, for instance, sometimes face bullying for not wearing impressive enough outfits. A similar issue previously occurred when the developer launched brand-name shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The shoe cost model wasn't well received as well, and a few players vowed that they'd avoid fall prey to the pressure at the time. However in the end, purchasing shoes became normalized. Now, sidekicks are further pushing the limits of what a player might be willing to spend to be distinctive amongst the player base.

What is Ahead for Companion Pets?

Pets are currently a relatively new addition, and they're part of a game that changes regularly. Some players are reporting that they've received a questionnaire that gauges how the community think about sidekick functionality and pricing, and this might potentially indicate that the company's plans are still subject to change. Yet if the game shoes are any indication, companions likely won't get more affordable overall — there will just be a broader selection of prices to shop.

Ultimately, where some individuals are raging at the game shop prices, different players are feeling only happiness for their competitive pals.