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A number of Fortnite players are experiencing disappointed, and it's not because of recent in-game events. Fortnite's current limited-time event, which introduces a Simpsons-themed map, has also unveiled a fresh feature called sidekicks. There's no deny that these latest companions are adorable. However, the attached prices have left numerous fans shocked at the developer's efforts to profit from almost each part of the gaming experience.

Understanding Companion Pets?

Companions are essentially like Pokémon, though with a few drawbacks. You can name them, and these pets will follow you during a game. These sidekicks are immortal, and you can pet them. Other players outside the player's party cannot see these pets — and showing off one's companions is arguably a big part of the enjoyment of having them. Pets can be outfitted with outfits and gestures, but the controversy centers on their appearance. A pet's main design is only able to be changed one time, at which point that selection is permanent. Players can select a companion's coat color, accent hues, eye colors, markings, and its build size.

The Costly Customization Mechanism

If a player afterward choose that you want their sidekick to appear slightly altered, it's not possible to simply further customize the look. You have to buy another sidekick. Furthermore, these pets are not inexpensive. Most people are obtaining the banana-themed sidekick, since it's packaged in this season's battle pass. Based on leaks, upcoming sidekicks could 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 cost $22.99. However, players can rename a companion whenever you'd like.

Community Reaction and Comparisons

The majority of sidekicks have not been formally released so far, so the pricing may easily change. Yet regardless of whether the developer makes companions cheaper, much of the frustration stems from the reality that players could have to spend for a one kind of sidekick multiple times. To certain players, the cost structure seems especially unfair when the developer has already added pets that ride around as part of back blings. Backpack pets lack a customization limitation and are visible by fellow players in the match. Back bling pets cannot be given a name or perform emotes, however opposing gamers can sometimes interact with them — and this is more favorable than remaining invisible completely.

The absence of special features and limited interaction options have many gamers experiencing underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, for example, play fetch with your stylish fruit-themed pet? A few point out that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the player if a game is moving quickly, or mention that the banana pet occupies two slots in the battle pass — and this supports the idea that the developer is squeezing the community for revenue. Profit-driven is a word that's appearing often in such discussions, with a number of comparing sidekick pricing to other intense pricing schemes in games like popular sports games. Additionally, it adds to the issue that certain pets are projected to be pricier than their outfit versions.

"PLEASE do not purchasing Companion Pets," urges one popular online post that encourages fellow players to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"We understand these pets are adorable," the thread adds, "I know they are fun. We are aware we have all been anticipating them. However the greed on display is unacceptable and should not be supported."

A Broader Context of In-Game Spending

Over the past few years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have grown in scale and aspiration, yet the no-cost-to-start title continues to must generate revenue. As such, the total quantity of cosmetics players are able to now buy has become almost excessive. In addition to basics like back accessories, gliders, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could potentially spend money on footwear, music tracks, instruments, Lego pieces, vehicles, wheels, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a subscription. Companion pets do not just cost payment, and also bring in a range of fresh revenue avenues for the company. It is likely, users will soon be able to spend for items like sidekick appearances, costumes, gestures, and additional engagement options.

Every one of these cosmetics are completely optional and not necessary to enjoy the experience, yet equipment can nonetheless influence your community experience. Kids, for instance, sometimes face bullying for using impressive sufficiently cool outfits. A similar issue also occurred when the company launched brand-name kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear cost model wasn't popular either, and some fans promised that they wouldn't fall prey to the temptation at the time. But in the end, purchasing footwear became commonplace. Today, companion pets are additionally pushing the boundaries of how much a player could be prepared to spend to stand out within the player base.

What is Next for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively recent feature, and they're part of a title that changes regularly. A few fans are reporting that they have gotten a survey that assesses how people think about pet functionality and pricing, and this might potentially mean that the company's plans are still subject to change. Yet if the game footwear are any indication, companions likely will not get cheaper overall — instead, there may be a wider range of prices to shop.

After all, while certain individuals are expressing anger at Fortnite item costs, different players are feeling only joy for their competitive pals.