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A number of Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and this isn't because of recent virtual happenings. The game's newest mini-season, which brings a Simpsons-themed world, has also rolled out a brand-new feature called sidekicks. It's impossible to ignore that the latest pets are cute. However, the attached costs have left numerous players stunned at this company's attempts to profit from almost each aspect of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are basically similar to Pokémon, though with a few drawbacks. Players can name them, and they will accompany you during a game. They are immortal, and you can interact with them. Opposing gamers outside the player's party cannot view sidekicks — and displaying your animal friends is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of owning them. Pets are able to be customized with costumes and emotes, but the controversy revolves around their appearance. A sidekick's overall appearance can only be altered once, after which that selection becomes permanent. Players can select a companion's coat color, accent hues, iris tones, markings, and their body type.

A Expensive Personalization System

If a player afterward choose that you want their pet to look a bit different, it's not possible to simply continue to customize the appearance. You have to purchase a new sidekick. And, these pets are not inexpensive. Most players are getting the banana-themed sidekick, because it is included with the current battle pass. Based on unofficial reports, upcoming sidekicks may be priced at 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 are $22.99. However, players can change the name of a companion as many times as you'd like.

Community Reaction and Comparisons

Most pets have not been officially released so far, meaning the cost could well change. Yet regardless of whether the company sets companions more affordable, much of the frustration stems from the reality that players could need to pay for a one kind of sidekick more than once. To certain players, the cost structure feels particularly unfair considering the game has already introduced companions that are carried about as part of backpack accessories. Back bling pets do not have a restriction on changes and can be seen by fellow participants in the match. Backpack pets cannot be named or perform gestures, however opposing players can sometimes engage with them — and this is better than being invisible altogether.

Lack of unique features and limited engagement choices have numerous players feeling disappointed. Why can't a player, for example, play fetch with their stylish banana dog? A few point out that companions sometimes fail to stay close with the player if a game is moving quickly, or mention that Peels occupies two slots in the battle pass — which reinforces the idea that the company is pressuring players for money. Greedy is a term that's coming up frequently in these conversations, with some comparing sidekick monetization to similar intense monetization models in titles like EA Sports FC. It also adds to the issue that certain pets are expected to be pricier than equivalent outfit versions.

"PLEASE avoid buy Sidekicks," pleads one popular online post that encourages fellow gamers to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"I know these pets are cute," the thread continues, "I know they are enjoyable. We are aware we have all been looking forward to them. But the monetization focus on display is disgusting and must not be rewarded."

A Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, the game's events and partnerships have grown in scale and aspiration, but the free-to-play game still must earn revenue. As such, the sheer quantity of items players are able to now buy has become nearly overwhelming. In addition to standard items like back blings, deployment tools, pickaxes, and gestures, players might potentially spend cash on footwear, music tracks, instruments, Lego pieces, cars, tires, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a subscription. Companion pets not only cost payment, and also introduce a host of fresh revenue options for the developer. Presumably, users will soon be able to pay for things like sidekick appearances, outfits, emotes, and further interaction features.

Every one of such cosmetics are entirely voluntary and unneeded to enjoy the experience, yet gear can still affect a player's community interactions. Younger players, for instance, at times encounter bullying for using impressive enough outfits. A similar situation previously transpired when the developer launched brand-name kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The shoe pricing scheme was not well received as well, and some players vowed that they'd avoid succumb to the pressure at the time. But ultimately, buying shoes grew commonplace. Now, sidekicks are additionally pushing the boundaries of what a gamer could be willing to pay to stand out within the crowd.

What's Next for Companion Pets?

Pets are still a fairly new addition, and they're part of a title that changes regularly. A few players are sharing that they've received a survey that gauges how people feel about sidekick mechanics and pricing, and this might potentially mean that the company's plans are remain fluid. But if the game shoes are any indication, sidekicks probably will not get cheaper overall — there will just be a wider range of prices to choose from.

After all, while certain players are expressing anger at the game shop prices, different players are feeling nothing but happiness for their competitive pals.