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Some Fortnite enthusiasts are experiencing let down, and this isn't because of the latest in-game happenings. The game's newest mini-season, that introduces a Springfield map, also rolled out a brand-new mechanic known as sidekicks. It's impossible to ignore that the latest companions are cute. However, the attached prices have made many players stunned at this developer's efforts to profit from nearly every part of the game.

Understanding Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are essentially like digital creatures, though having a few drawbacks. You can give them a name, and they will follow your character during a game. They are immortal, and you can pet them. Opposing players not in your squad cannot see sidekicks — and showing off your animal friends is arguably half the fun of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with costumes and emotes, but the debate revolves around their looks. Each sidekick's overall appearance can only be changed once, at which point that choice becomes permanent. You can select a sidekick's fur shade, accent hues, eye colors, pattern, and their body type.

The Expensive Personalization Mechanism

Should you afterward decide that you want your pet to appear a bit altered, it's not possible to just continue to customize its appearance. Players must buy a new sidekick. Furthermore, these pets are not cheap. Most people are getting the Peels pet, since it's included with the current battle pass. According to unofficial reports, future sidekicks may cost from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; to put that in perspective, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. You can rename a sidekick as many times as you'd like.

Community Reaction and Comparisons

Most sidekicks have not been officially released yet, so the cost may well be adjusted. Yet regardless of whether the developer sets companions cheaper, a lot of the frustration stems from the fact that gamers might have to pay for a one kind of pet multiple times. For some, the pricing scheme feels particularly egregious considering the developer has already added companions that are carried around as part of backpack accessories. Back bling companions do not have a customization limitation and can be seen by fellow participants in the game. Backpack buddies cannot be given a name or use emotes, but opposing players are able to occasionally interact with them — and this is more favorable than remaining unseen completely.

Lack of unique features and restricted engagement choices have numerous players feeling underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, such as, play fetch with your stylish banana dog? Some point out that sidekicks do not always stay close with the user if a match is fast-paced, or mention that Peels occupies two spots in the battle pass — which supports the idea that the developer is pressuring the community for revenue. Profit-driven is a word that's coming up frequently in these conversations, with a number of likening sidekick pricing to similar intense pricing schemes in titles like EA Sports FC. It also doesn't help that some sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin counterparts.

"We urge you to avoid buy Companion Pets," pleads a popular online thread that advises other gamers to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"I know they're cute," the post continues, "I know they are fun. I know everyone has been anticipating them. But the greed being shown is unacceptable and must not be rewarded."

The Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, Fortnite's special occasions and partnerships have grown in scope and ambition, but the no-cost-to-start game continues to must earn revenue. Therefore, the total quantity of items players are able to currently buy has grown nearly excessive. Beyond basics like back accessories, deployment tools, pickaxes, and emotes, you could possibly spend cash on footwear, music tracks, musical tools, Lego pieces, cars, wheels, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a subscription. Sidekicks not only cost money, and also introduce a range of new monetization options for the developer. Presumably, users will soon be in a position to pay for things like sidekick appearances, outfits, emotes, and further interaction options.

All of such cosmetics are completely voluntary and unneeded to enjoy the experience, but gear can still affect a player's community experience. Younger players, for example, at times face teasing for using impressive sufficiently cool skins. A similar issue also occurred when the company introduced licensed kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe cost model wasn't popular as well, and a few players vowed that they'd avoid succumb to the pressure at the time. However in the end, buying shoes grew commonplace. Today, sidekicks are further testing the boundaries of how much a player could be prepared to pay to be distinctive amongst the player base.

What is Next for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are still a relatively recent feature, and they exist a game that changes regularly. Some fans are sharing that they've received a questionnaire that assesses how the community think about sidekick mechanics and pricing, which could possibly indicate that the company's plans are remain fluid. But if Fortnite footwear are any indication, companions probably will not get more affordable overall — instead, there may be a wider range of costs to choose from.

After all, where some individuals are raging at the game item costs, different players are experiencing nothing but happiness for their new battle royale friends.