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Some battle royale enthusiasts are feeling let down, and this isn't due to the latest in-game events. Fortnite's newest mini-season, which introduces a Simpsons-themed map, has also rolled out a brand-new mechanic known as sidekicks. It's impossible to deny that these new companions are cute. But, the associated costs have made numerous fans stunned at this developer's attempts to monetize almost every aspect of the gaming experience.

Understanding Companion Pets?

Companions are basically like Pokémon, but with some drawbacks. You can give them a name, and they will follow your character throughout a match. They are immortal, and you can pet them. Opposing players outside your party are unable to see sidekicks — and displaying your companions is arguably half the enjoyment of having them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with outfits and emotes, but the controversy revolves around their looks. Each sidekick's main design is only able to be altered one time, after which that choice becomes final. Players can select a sidekick's fur shade, accent hues, eye colors, pattern, and their build size.

The Expensive Customization Mechanism

If you later choose that you want their sidekick to appear a bit different, you cannot just continue to customize the look. You have to purchase a new companion. Furthermore, these pets are not cheap. The majority of players are obtaining the banana-themed sidekick, because it's included with this season's battle pass. Based on unofficial reports, future pets could cost from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks is priced at $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks cost $22.99. You can rename a sidekick whenever you'd like.

Community Reaction and Comparisons

The majority of sidekicks haven't been formally launched yet, meaning the cost could well change. Yet even if the company sets companions cheaper, much of the anger comes from the fact that gamers could need to pay for a one type of pet multiple times. For some, the cost structure seems particularly unfair when the game has previously added pets that are carried around inside backpack accessories. Back bling pets lack a restriction on changes and are visible by other players in the match. Backpack pets can't be named or perform emotes, however opposing gamers are able to sometimes engage with them — and this is more favorable than being unseen completely.

The absence of unique features and limited engagement choices have numerous gamers feeling underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, for example, play fetch with your fancy fruit-themed pet? Some point out that sidekicks do not always stay close with the player if a match is fast-paced, or mention that Peels takes up two spots in the battle pass — and this supports the idea that the company is squeezing the community for money. Profit-driven is a term that's coming up often in these conversations, with some likening pet pricing to similar intense monetization models in games like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that certain sidekicks are projected to be more expensive than equivalent outfit versions.

"PLEASE do not buy Sidekicks," pleads one highly-voted community post that advises other players to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand these pets are adorable," the post adds, "I know they're enjoyable. I know everyone has been anticipating them. But the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

A Bigger Picture of In-Game Purchases

In recent years, the game's events and partnerships have grown in scope and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start game continues to needs to earn income. Therefore, the total number of items users can currently purchase has become almost excessive. Beyond standard items like back blings, deployment tools, pickaxes, and gestures, you could potentially spend cash on footwear, songs, instruments, building blocks, cars, tires, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a subscription. Sidekicks not only cost payment, and also bring in a range of new monetization avenues for the developer. It is likely, users will soon be in a position to pay for things like pet looks, costumes, emotes, and further engagement features.

All of these customization items are completely optional and not necessary to enjoy the game, but equipment can still affect a player's community experience. Younger players, for example, sometimes face bullying for using flashy sufficiently cool skins. A similar issue previously transpired when the developer introduced licensed kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear pricing scheme was not popular as well, and a few fans vowed that they wouldn't fall prey to the pressure at the time. However in the end, buying footwear grew normalized. Now, sidekicks are further testing the limits of what a player might be willing to spend to be distinctive within the player base.

What is Next for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a relatively recent addition, and they're part of a title that changes regularly. A few fans are reporting that they have received a questionnaire that gauges how the community think about sidekick functionality and monetization, and this might potentially indicate that the developer's plans are still subject to change. Yet if the game shoes are any indication, sidekicks likely will not become more affordable in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of costs to choose from.

After all, while certain individuals are raging at the game shop prices, others are feeling nothing but happiness for their new battle royale pals.