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A number of Fortnite enthusiasts are experiencing let down, and it's not because of recent in-game happenings. The game's current mini-season, that brings a Springfield world, also unveiled a fresh feature called sidekicks. It's impossible to ignore that the new pets are adorable. However, the attached prices have left many fans stunned at the company's efforts to monetize almost every part of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are basically similar to digital creatures, though with some limitations. Players can give them a name, and these pets will follow your character during a game. These sidekicks are immortal, and players can interact with them. Opposing players outside your party cannot view sidekicks — and displaying one's companions is arguably a big part of the enjoyment of having them. Pets can be outfitted with costumes and gestures, however the debate centers on their appearance. Each pet's overall appearance can only be altered one time, at which point that selection becomes permanent. Players can choose a sidekick's coat color, secondary colors, iris tones, markings, and its build size.

A Expensive Personalization System

Should a player later choose that you want their sidekick to look slightly altered, it's not possible to simply further customize its appearance. Players must buy a new sidekick. And, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. Most players are getting the banana-themed pet, since it's packaged in this season's reward track. Based on leaks, future pets may be priced at from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks is priced at $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks cost $22.99. You can change the name of a companion as many times as you'd like.

Community Reaction and Parallels

Most sidekicks haven't been formally released yet, meaning the pricing could easily be adjusted. Yet even if the company sets companions cheaper, a lot of the anger comes from the fact that players might need to pay for a one type of pet more than once. For some, the cost structure feels especially egregious when the developer has already introduced companions that ride around as part of backpack accessories. Backpack pets do not have a customization limitation and are visible by other participants in the game. Back bling pets can't be given a name or perform emotes, however other players can sometimes interact with them — and this is better than being invisible altogether.

The absence of special functions and restricted interaction options have many gamers experiencing underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to a player, such as, play fetch with their fancy fruit-themed pet? A few point out 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 reward system — which reinforces the idea that the company is squeezing players for revenue. Profit-driven is a term that's coming up often in such conversations, with a number of comparing sidekick pricing to other intense monetization models in titles like EA Sports FC. It also adds to the issue that certain pets are projected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"PLEASE do not buy Sidekicks," urges a popular community post that advises fellow gamers to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"We understand these pets are cute," the post continues, "we realize they are enjoyable. I know everyone has been looking forward to them. However the monetization focus being shown is disgusting and should not be rewarded."

A Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, the game's events and partnerships have grown in scope and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start game still needs to generate income. As such, the total quantity of items players are able to now purchase has become almost overwhelming. In addition to basics like back blings, deployment tools, pickaxes, and emotes, players might potentially spend money on shoes, songs, musical tools, Lego pieces, vehicles, tires, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a subscription. Sidekicks not only cost payment, but also introduce a range of fresh revenue avenues for the company. Presumably, players will before long be in a position to pay for items like sidekick looks, costumes, gestures, and additional engagement features.

All of such customization items are entirely optional and unneeded to have fun with the game, yet gear can still influence a player's social experience. Kids, for instance, at times face teasing for not wearing impressive sufficiently cool skins. A similar situation previously transpired when the company launched licensed kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model was not popular either, and a few fans promised that they wouldn't succumb to the temptation back then. However ultimately, purchasing footwear grew commonplace. Now, companion pets are additionally testing the boundaries of how much a gamer could be willing to spend to be distinctive amongst the player base.

What's Next for Companion Pets?

Pets are still a relatively recent addition, and they exist a game that changes frequently. Some players are reporting that they have gotten a survey that gauges how the community think about sidekick functionality and monetization, which could potentially indicate that the developer's plans are still fluid. Yet if Fortnite shoes are any indication, sidekicks probably won't get more affordable overall — instead, there may be a wider selection of prices to shop.

After all, while certain individuals are expressing anger at the game shop prices, different players are experiencing nothing but joy for their battle royale friends.