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A number of Fortnite players are feeling let down, and this isn't due to recent virtual events. The game's newest limited-time event, which introduces a Springfield map, has also unveiled a fresh feature known as pets. It's impossible to deny that these latest pets are cute. But, the attached costs have left numerous players shocked at this company's efforts to profit from almost each part of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are essentially similar to digital creatures, though having a few drawbacks. You can give them a name, and they will accompany you throughout a game. They are immortal, and you can pet them. Other gamers outside the player's party are unable to view these pets — and showing off your animal friends is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of owning them. Sidekicks can be customized with costumes and gestures, however the controversy revolves around their appearance. Each pet's main design can only be altered once, at which point that choice is final. You can select a companion's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, pattern, and their body type.

The Costly Customization Mechanism

Should you afterward choose that they'd like your sidekick to appear slightly different, you cannot simply continue to modify its look. You have to buy another sidekick. And, these pets aren't inexpensive. Most players are getting the banana-themed pet, because it's packaged in this season's battle pass. According to unofficial reports, upcoming pets could be priced at anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. However, players can change the name of a companion whenever they want.

Player Reaction and Parallels

Most pets have not been formally launched so far, meaning the pricing could easily change. Yet even if the developer sets companions cheaper, much of the anger comes from the reality that gamers could have to spend for a single kind of pet multiple times. For some, the cost structure seems especially egregious considering the game has previously introduced companions that ride about as part of backpack accessories. Backpack pets do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by fellow participants in the match. Backpack pets cannot be given a name or use emotes, however opposing gamers can occasionally interact with them — which is better than being invisible completely.

Lack of unique functions and limited engagement options have numerous players feeling underwhelmed. Why can't a player, for example, interact playfully with your fancy banana dog? Some point out that companions do not always keep up with the player if a game is fast-paced, or mention that Peels takes up two spots in the battle pass — which supports the idea that the developer is pressuring the community for money. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing often in these conversations, with some comparing sidekick pricing to other intense pricing schemes in titles like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that some pets are projected to be pricier than equivalent outfit counterparts.

"We urge you to avoid purchasing Sidekicks," pleads one highly-voted community thread that advises fellow gamers to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"We understand these pets are adorable," the thread adds, "I know they are fun. We are aware we have all been anticipating them. However the greed being shown is unacceptable and must not be rewarded."

The Bigger Context of In-Game Spending

Over the past few years, the game's events and partnerships have expanded in scope and aspiration, but the no-cost-to-start game continues to must generate revenue. Therefore, the total quantity of items players can now purchase has become almost excessive. In addition to basics like back blings, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and emotes, players might possibly spend money on footwear, songs, instruments, building blocks, vehicles, tires, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Companion pets do not just require payment, and also bring in a host of new monetization avenues for the company. Presumably, users will soon be in a position to spend for items like sidekick appearances, outfits, gestures, and further engagement options.

Every one of these customization items are entirely optional and not necessary to have fun with the experience, but equipment can still affect your social experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes encounter bullying for not wearing impressive enough skins. A similar issue previously occurred when the company introduced licensed shoes, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear cost model wasn't popular as well, and some fans promised that they wouldn't succumb to the pressure at the time. However ultimately, buying shoes grew commonplace. Now, sidekicks are further pushing the limits of what a player could be prepared to pay to be distinctive within the player base.

What's Next for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively recent feature, and they're part of a game that updates frequently. A few fans are sharing that they have received a questionnaire that gauges how people feel about pet functionality and monetization, and this might possibly mean that the developer's plans are remain subject to change. But if the game footwear are any indication, companions likely will not become more affordable in general — instead, there may be a broader selection of prices to choose from.

Ultimately, where certain individuals are raging at Fortnite item costs, others are experiencing only joy for their battle royale friends.