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A number of battle royale players are experiencing let down, and this isn't due to the latest virtual happenings. Fortnite's current mini-season, which brings a Springfield map, also rolled out a brand-new mechanic called sidekicks. It's impossible to ignore that these new pets are cute. But, the attached costs have made many fans stunned at this company's attempts to monetize almost each aspect of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Companions are essentially similar to digital creatures, but having a few drawbacks. Players can name them, and these pets will accompany your character during a game. They are immortal, and you can interact with them. Opposing gamers outside your squad cannot view these pets — and displaying your companions is arguably a big part of the fun of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be customized with costumes and gestures, but the debate centers on their appearance. A sidekick's overall appearance can only be altered one time, after which that selection becomes permanent. You can select a companion's coat color, secondary colors, eye colors, pattern, and its build size.

The Expensive Customization System

If you later choose that you want your sidekick to appear slightly different, it's not possible to simply further modify the look. You have to purchase a new sidekick. Furthermore, these pets aren't cheap. The majority of players are obtaining the Peels sidekick, since it is included with this season's reward track. According to unofficial reports, upcoming sidekicks could be priced at from 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. However, players can rename a sidekick whenever they want.

Player Reaction and Comparisons

Most sidekicks have not been officially launched yet, so the pricing could easily change. Yet regardless of whether the developer makes companions more affordable, a lot of the frustration stems from the reality that gamers might have to pay for a one kind of pet more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems particularly unfair when the developer has previously added companions that are carried about as part of back blings. Backpack pets do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by other players in the game. Backpack buddies cannot be named or perform emotes, however opposing gamers are able to sometimes engage with them — which is more favorable than being unseen altogether.

The absence of unique functions and restricted interaction choices have many gamers feeling disappointed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, for example, play fetch with your stylish fruit-themed pet? Some note that companions do not always keep up with the player if a game is fast-paced, or observe that the banana pet takes up two spots in the reward system — which supports the notion that the developer is squeezing players for money. Profit-driven is a term that's coming up frequently in these discussions, with a number of likening sidekick monetization to similar intense pricing schemes in titles like EA Sports FC. Additionally, it adds to the issue that some pets are projected to be pricier than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"PLEASE avoid buy Sidekicks," pleads a highly-voted online thread that encourages other gamers to proverbially express disapproval by not spending.

"I know these pets are adorable," the post adds, "I know they are enjoyable. I know we have all been anticipating them. But the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and should not be supported."

A Bigger Context of Virtual Spending

Over the past few years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have grown in scale and ambition, but the free-to-play title continues to needs to earn revenue. As such, the total quantity of items players are able to currently buy has grown almost excessive. Beyond standard items like back blings, gliders, harvesting tools, and gestures, players might possibly spend cash on shoes, music tracks, instruments, Lego pieces, cars, tires, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a membership. Companion pets do not just cost money, but also bring in a range of new monetization avenues for the company. It is likely, players will soon be in a position to pay for things like pet looks, outfits, emotes, and further interaction features.

All of these customization items are entirely optional and unneeded to enjoy the game, yet equipment can still affect your community experience. Kids, for example, sometimes encounter bullying for not wearing impressive sufficiently cool skins. A comparable issue previously transpired when the developer introduced brand-name kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model was not popular as well, and some fans vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the temptation back then. But in the end, purchasing footwear became normalized. Today, sidekicks are further pushing the boundaries of what a gamer might be willing to spend to stand out within the player base.

What is Next for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively new addition, and they're part of a title that updates frequently. A few players are reporting that they've gotten a survey that gauges how people think about sidekick functionality and pricing, which could possibly indicate that the developer's strategy are remain subject to change. Yet if the game shoes are a sign, sidekicks likely won't get more affordable in general — instead, there may be a broader selection of costs to shop.

Ultimately, while some individuals are raging at Fortnite item costs, others are feeling nothing but happiness for their battle royale pals.