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A number of Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and this isn't because of the latest in-game happenings. Fortnite's current limited-time event, that introduces a Simpsons-themed world, has also rolled out a brand-new feature called pets. It's impossible to ignore that the new companions are adorable. However, the attached costs have left numerous players stunned at the developer's efforts to monetize nearly each part of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are essentially like digital creatures, though with a few drawbacks. You can give them a name, and they will accompany your character during a match. These sidekicks are immortal, and you can interact with them. Other gamers outside your squad cannot view sidekicks — and showing off your companions is arguably a big part of the enjoyment of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with costumes and emotes, however the controversy revolves around their appearance. A sidekick's main appearance can only be altered once, at which point that selection is final. Players can select a companion's coat color, secondary colors, iris tones, markings, and their body type.

The Expensive Customization System

Should you later choose that you want your sidekick to appear slightly different, it's not possible to just continue to modify its look. You have to purchase another companion. And, these pets are not inexpensive. Most players are obtaining the Peels pet, because it is included in this season's reward track. Based on unofficial reports, future sidekicks may 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.

Community Response and Parallels

The majority of pets have not been formally launched so far, so the cost may easily change. But regardless of whether the company makes sidekicks cheaper, much of the frustration comes from the reality that players might have to spend for a single kind of pet multiple times. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems particularly unfair when the game has previously added companions that ride around as part of back blings. Backpack pets do not have a customization limitation and can be seen by fellow participants in the game. Back bling buddies can't be named or perform emotes, but opposing players are able to occasionally interact with them — and this is more favorable than remaining unseen altogether.

The absence of special functions and limited interaction options have numerous players feeling underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, such as, play fetch with their fancy banana dog? Some note that companions sometimes fail to stay close with the player if a game is fast-paced, or mention that Peels takes up two slots in the reward system — and this supports the idea that the company is pressuring the community for money. Greedy is a term that's coming up often in such discussions, with some likening sidekick monetization to similar intense pricing schemes in titles like EA Sports FC. Additionally, it doesn't help that some sidekicks are projected to be more expensive than their outfit versions.

"PLEASE do not purchasing Companion Pets," urges one popular online post that advises other gamers to proverbially express disapproval by not spending.

"I know these pets are adorable," the post adds, "I know they're enjoyable. We are aware everyone has been anticipating them. But the greed being shown is unacceptable and must not be supported."

A Bigger Picture of In-Game Spending

Over the past few years, the game's events and partnerships have expanded in scope and ambition, but the free-to-play title still must generate income. As such, the total number of items users can now buy has become nearly excessive. In addition to basics like back blings, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could potentially use money on shoes, music tracks, instruments, building blocks, cars, wheels, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Companion pets do not just cost money, but also bring in a range of new revenue avenues for the company. It is likely, players will soon be in a position to pay for things like sidekick appearances, outfits, gestures, and additional interaction features.

Every one of these customization items are entirely voluntary and unneeded to have fun with the experience, yet gear can still affect your community interactions. Kids, for instance, sometimes face bullying for using flashy enough outfits. A comparable issue also occurred when the developer launched licensed shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The footwear cost model was not well received either, and some fans vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the temptation back then. However ultimately, purchasing footwear grew commonplace. Now, companion pets are additionally pushing the limits of what a gamer might be willing to spend to be distinctive amongst the player base.

What's Ahead for Sidekicks?

Pets are still a relatively recent addition, and they're part of a title that updates frequently. A few players are reporting that they have received a survey that assesses how the community feel about pet mechanics and monetization, which could possibly mean that the developer's plans are still subject to change. Yet if the game footwear are any indication, sidekicks likely will not get cheaper in general — instead, there may be a broader range of costs to shop.

After all, where certain players are expressing anger at the game item costs, different players are feeling nothing but joy for their new competitive friends.