Fortnite Game Fans Voice Displeasure Over New Sidekick Pets and Perceived Greed

A number of Fortnite players are feeling let down, and this isn't because of the latest in-game happenings. Fortnite's current mini-season, that introduces a Simpsons-themed world, has also unveiled a brand-new feature known as sidekicks. It's impossible to ignore that the latest pets are adorable. However, the associated costs have made numerous players stunned at this developer's efforts to monetize nearly each aspect of the game.

Understanding Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are basically like Pokémon, though having some drawbacks. You can name them, and they will follow your character during a match. These sidekicks are immortal, and you can interact with them. Other gamers not in the player's squad cannot see these pets — and showing off one's animal friends is arguably a big part of the fun of having them. Sidekicks are able to be customized with costumes and gestures, but the controversy centers on their looks. A sidekick's main appearance is only able to be altered once, after which that choice is permanent. Players can choose a companion's coat color, secondary colors, iris tones, markings, and their body type.

A Expensive Customization Mechanism

If a player later decide that you want your sidekick to appear a bit different, you cannot just continue to customize the look. You have to purchase a new sidekick. Furthermore, these pets aren't cheap. Most people are obtaining the Peels pet, because it is included with this season's battle pass. Based on leaks, future pets may 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. You can rename a sidekick whenever you'd like.

Community Response and Comparisons

Most pets have not been formally released yet, so the pricing may easily be adjusted. But regardless of whether the developer sets sidekicks more affordable, much of the anger stems from the reality that players might need to pay for a one type of sidekick more than once. To certain players, the cost structure seems especially egregious considering the developer has already added companions that ride around as part of backpack accessories. Back bling pets do not have a customization limitation and can be seen by other players in the game. Back bling buddies can't be named or use emotes, however opposing players are able to occasionally interact with them — and this is more favorable than remaining invisible altogether.

The absence of unique functions and restricted engagement options have numerous gamers experiencing underwhelmed. Why can't a player, for example, interact playfully with their stylish fruit-themed pet? A few point out that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the user if a match is moving quickly, or observe that Peels takes up two spots in the reward system — and this supports the idea that the developer is pressuring players for revenue. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing often in these conversations, with some likening pet pricing to other intense pricing schemes in games like EA Sports FC. It also adds to the issue that some pets are projected to be pricier than their outfit counterparts.

"PLEASE avoid purchasing Companion Pets," pleads a popular community thread that encourages fellow gamers to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand these pets are cute," the thread continues, "I know they are fun. I know everyone has been anticipating them. But the monetization focus on display is disgusting and should not be supported."

A Bigger Context of Virtual Spending

In recent years, the game's events and partnerships have grown in scale and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start title still must generate income. Therefore, the total number of items players are able to currently buy has become nearly overwhelming. Beyond basics like back blings, deployment tools, pickaxes, and gestures, you could potentially spend money on shoes, songs, instruments, building blocks, vehicles, tires, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Companion pets do not just require payment, but also bring in a host of fresh revenue avenues for the developer. It is likely, players will soon be able to spend for items like pet appearances, costumes, emotes, and additional interaction features.

All of these customization items are completely voluntary and not necessary to have fun with the game, but equipment can nonetheless affect a player's community interactions. Younger players, for example, sometimes encounter bullying for using impressive enough outfits. A comparable situation also transpired when the company introduced brand-name kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear cost model was not popular as well, and a few players promised that they wouldn't fall prey to the pressure at the time. But ultimately, purchasing footwear became commonplace. Now, companion pets are additionally testing the boundaries of how much a player could be prepared to pay to be distinctive amongst the crowd.

What is Ahead for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a relatively new feature, and they're part of a game that changes regularly. Some players are sharing that they have gotten a survey that gauges how the community feel about pet functionality and monetization, and this might possibly mean that the company's strategy are remain fluid. Yet if the game shoes are a sign, companions probably won't get more affordable overall — there will just be a wider selection of costs to choose from.

Ultimately, while certain players are expressing anger at Fortnite shop prices, others are experiencing nothing but happiness for their competitive friends.