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A number of Fortnite players are feeling let down, and this isn't due to recent in-game happenings. Fortnite's current mini-season, which brings a Springfield map, also rolled out a brand-new feature known as pets. There's no deny that the new companions are adorable. But, the attached costs have left numerous players shocked at this developer's attempts to monetize almost each aspect of the game.

What Are Companion Pets?

Companions are basically like digital creatures, but with a few drawbacks. Players can name them, and these pets will follow you during a match. They are immortal, and players can pet them. Other players outside your party are unable to see these pets — and showing off one's companions is arguably half the fun of having them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with outfits and gestures, but the debate revolves around their appearance. Each sidekick's overall appearance is only able to be altered one time, at which point that selection is final. Players can select a companion's fur shade, accent hues, eye colors, markings, and their body type.

A Expensive Personalization Mechanism

Should a player afterward choose that they'd like your pet to look slightly altered, you cannot just further modify its look. You have to buy another sidekick. And, these pets are not inexpensive. The majority of people are obtaining the Peels sidekick, because it is included in this season's reward track. According to unofficial reports, upcoming pets could be priced at 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 change the name of a sidekick whenever you'd like.

Player Reaction and Comparisons

Most pets haven't been officially launched yet, so the cost could easily be adjusted. But even if the developer sets sidekicks more affordable, much of the frustration stems from the reality that players could need to pay for a one type of pet more than once. For some, the pricing scheme feels particularly egregious considering the developer has already added pets that ride around inside backpack accessories. Backpack companions lack a customization limitation and can be seen by fellow participants in the match. Back bling buddies can't be given a name or perform gestures, however opposing gamers can occasionally interact with them — which is more favorable than remaining invisible completely.

Lack of special functions and limited interaction options have many players feeling disappointed. Why can't a player, such as, interact playfully with your fancy fruit-themed pet? Some point out that companions sometimes fail to stay close with the player if a match is fast-paced, or observe that the banana pet occupies two spots in the battle pass — and this reinforces the idea that the company is squeezing the community for money. Profit-driven is a term that's coming up often in such conversations, with a number of likening sidekick pricing to other aggressive monetization models in games like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that certain sidekicks are projected to be more expensive than their outfit counterparts.

"PLEASE avoid purchasing Companion Pets," urges one highly-voted online post that encourages fellow players to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"We understand they're cute," the post continues, "we realize they are fun. We are aware we have all been anticipating them. But the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and must not be supported."

The Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, Fortnite's special occasions and collaborations have expanded in scale and aspiration, yet the no-cost-to-start title still needs to generate revenue. Therefore, the sheer quantity of cosmetics users can now purchase has become nearly excessive. Beyond standard items like back blings, deployment tools, pickaxes, and emotes, you could potentially use money on shoes, music tracks, instruments, Lego pieces, cars, tires, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Sidekicks do not just require money, and also bring in a range of new monetization avenues for the developer. It is likely, players will before long be in a position to pay for items like pet looks, costumes, emotes, and additional engagement options.

All of these customization items are entirely voluntary and not necessary to enjoy the experience, but gear can still influence your social experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes face teasing for using impressive sufficiently cool outfits. A comparable issue also transpired when the developer launched licensed kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe pricing scheme wasn't well received as well, and some players vowed that they'd avoid succumb to the temptation at the time. But ultimately, buying shoes became normalized. Now, sidekicks are further pushing the boundaries of how much a player could be prepared to spend to be distinctive within the player base.

What's Next for Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively new feature, and they exist a title that updates regularly. Some players are reporting that they've received a survey that gauges how the community feel about pet functionality and monetization, and this might possibly mean that the developer's plans are still subject to change. Yet if the game shoes are a sign, sidekicks likely won't get cheaper in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of costs to shop.

Ultimately, while certain individuals are raging at Fortnite item costs, others are feeling only joy for their new battle royale friends.