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A number of Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and it's not due to the latest in-game events. The game's current limited-time event, which brings a Simpsons-themed map, also rolled out a fresh mechanic called sidekicks. There's no deny that the latest companions are adorable. However, the attached costs have left many fans shocked at the company's attempts to monetize nearly every part of the game.

What Are Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are essentially like Pokémon, though having some drawbacks. Players can give them a name, and they will accompany your character during a game. These sidekicks are indestructible, and players can pet them. Other gamers outside your squad are unable to view sidekicks — and displaying your companions is perhaps half the fun of owning them. Pets can be customized with costumes and emotes, but the controversy revolves around their looks. A sidekick's main appearance is only able to be changed once, after which that choice becomes permanent. You can choose a companion's coat color, secondary colors, iris tones, pattern, and its build size.

A Costly Customization Mechanism

If a player later decide that you want your pet to look slightly altered, it's not possible to just continue to customize its appearance. Players must purchase a new companion. And, sidekicks aren't cheap. The majority of people are getting the banana-themed pet, because it is packaged in this season's reward track. According to unofficial reports, future 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 cost $22.99. You can change the name of a companion as many times as you'd like.

Player Response and Parallels

Most sidekicks haven't been officially launched so far, meaning the cost may well be adjusted. Yet regardless of whether the company makes companions cheaper, a lot of the anger comes from the fact that gamers might have to pay for a one kind of pet multiple times. For some, the cost structure seems particularly unfair when the developer has previously introduced companions that are carried about inside backpack accessories. Back bling companions do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by fellow players in the game. Back bling buddies cannot be given a name or use emotes, but opposing players are able to sometimes interact with them — and this is better than remaining unseen altogether.

Lack of unique functions and restricted engagement choices have numerous players feeling disappointed. Why can't a player, for example, play fetch with your fancy fruit-themed pet? Some point out that sidekicks do not always stay close with the user if a game is fast-paced, or mention that Peels occupies two spots in the reward system — which supports the idea that the company is squeezing players for revenue. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing often in such conversations, with some likening pet pricing to similar aggressive pricing schemes in games like popular sports games. Additionally, it doesn't help that certain sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than their outfit counterparts.

"PLEASE avoid buy Companion Pets," urges one highly-voted community thread that advises other gamers to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand they're cute," the thread continues, "I know they're fun. I know everyone has been looking forward to them. However the monetization focus being shown is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

The Bigger Picture of In-Game Spending

Over the past few years, the game's special occasions and partnerships have grown in scope and aspiration, yet the free-to-play title still must generate revenue. Therefore, the total number of cosmetics users can currently purchase has become nearly overwhelming. In addition to basics like back accessories, gliders, harvesting tools, and gestures, players might possibly use cash on shoes, music tracks, musical tools, building blocks, cars, wheels, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a subscription. Sidekicks do not just cost payment, and also introduce a range of fresh revenue options for the company. Presumably, users will before long be able to pay for items like sidekick looks, costumes, emotes, and further interaction options.

Every one of these customization items are completely voluntary and not necessary to enjoy the experience, yet gear can still influence a player's social experience. Kids, for example, at times face teasing for using impressive sufficiently cool skins. A similar issue also occurred when the company introduced brand-name kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear cost model wasn't popular either, and some players promised that they'd avoid succumb to the temptation at the time. But ultimately, buying shoes became commonplace. Now, sidekicks are further testing the limits of how much a gamer could be willing to pay to be distinctive amongst the crowd.

What is Ahead for Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively recent addition, and they exist a game that changes frequently. A few players are sharing that they have gotten a survey that assesses how the community think about pet functionality and pricing, which could potentially mean that the company's plans are still fluid. But if Fortnite footwear are any indication, companions probably will not become cheaper in general — there will just be a wider range of prices to shop.

After all, where some players are expressing anger at Fortnite shop prices, others are experiencing nothing but joy for their new battle royale pals.