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A number of battle royale players are feeling let down, and this isn't due to the latest in-game happenings. Fortnite's newest mini-season, that brings a Simpsons-themed map, also unveiled a fresh feature called pets. There's no deny that these new pets are cute. However, the attached prices have made numerous players stunned at the developer's attempts to profit from almost every aspect of the gaming experience.

What Are Sidekicks?

Companions are basically similar to digital creatures, though with some limitations. Players can name them, and these pets will follow you during a game. These sidekicks are immortal, and players can pet them. Opposing players outside your party are unable to view sidekicks — and showing off your animal friends is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of owning them. Pets can be customized with outfits and emotes, but the debate centers on their looks. A sidekick's overall design is only able to be altered once, after which that selection is permanent. Players can choose a companion's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, pattern, and their body type.

A Expensive Customization Mechanism

Should you later decide that they'd like their pet to look slightly altered, it's not possible to just further customize the look. Players must buy another companion. Furthermore, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. Most players are obtaining the banana-themed sidekick, since it is packaged in the current battle pass. Based on leaks, upcoming sidekicks may cost anywhere between 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks is priced at $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. However, players can change the name of a sidekick as many times as they want.

Player Reaction and Comparisons

Most pets haven't been formally released yet, meaning the cost could well change. Yet regardless of whether the company makes sidekicks cheaper, much of the frustration comes from the reality that gamers could have to spend for a single kind of sidekick more than once. For some, the pricing scheme feels especially egregious when the developer has already introduced pets that are carried about inside back blings. Backpack companions lack a restriction on changes and can be seen by fellow players in the match. Back bling buddies can't be given a name or use emotes, however other gamers are able to occasionally engage with them — which is more favorable than being unseen altogether.

The absence of unique functions and restricted engagement options have many gamers experiencing underwhelmed. Why can't you, for example, play fetch with their fancy banana dog? A few point out that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the player if a game is moving quickly, or mention that the banana pet takes up two spots in the reward system — and this supports the notion that the developer is squeezing the community for money. Greedy is a word that's coming up frequently in such conversations, with a number of likening sidekick monetization to similar intense monetization models in games like popular sports games. Additionally, it doesn't help that certain pets are expected to be more expensive than their character skin counterparts.

"PLEASE do not buy Companion Pets," pleads a highly-voted community post that encourages fellow players to proverbially express disapproval by not spending.

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

The Bigger Picture of Virtual Spending

In recent years, Fortnite's events and collaborations have grown in scope and ambition, but the no-cost-to-start title still must generate revenue. Therefore, the sheer quantity of items players are able to now buy has become almost overwhelming. In addition to basics like back accessories, gliders, pickaxes, and emotes, you could potentially spend cash on footwear, music tracks, musical tools, Lego pieces, vehicles, wheels, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a membership. Companion pets not only require payment, and also introduce a range of fresh monetization avenues for the developer. Presumably, players will soon be in a position to spend for things like pet looks, outfits, gestures, and further engagement features.

Every one of these cosmetics are entirely optional and unneeded to have fun with the game, but equipment can still influence a player's community interactions. Younger players, for example, at times face teasing for not wearing flashy sufficiently cool skins. A similar situation also occurred when the developer introduced licensed kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear cost model wasn't well received as well, and a few players vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the temptation at the time. But in the end, purchasing shoes grew commonplace. Today, companion pets are further pushing the limits of what a gamer could be prepared to spend to stand out amongst the player base.

What is Ahead for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a relatively recent addition, and they're part of a game that changes frequently. Some players are reporting that they have gotten a questionnaire that gauges how the community feel about sidekick functionality and pricing, and this might possibly indicate that the developer's strategy are still subject to change. But if Fortnite footwear are a sign, sidekicks likely won't get cheaper overall — instead, there may be a broader range of prices to shop.

Ultimately, while certain players are expressing anger at Fortnite item costs, others are feeling nothing but joy for their new competitive pals.