🔗 Share this article

Some battle royale enthusiasts are feeling disappointed, and this isn't due to recent virtual happenings. Fortnite's current mini-season, which brings a Simpsons-themed map, has also rolled out a fresh feature known as pets. There's no deny that these new companions are cute. However, the attached costs have made numerous players shocked at the developer's attempts to monetize almost each aspect of the gaming experience.

Understanding Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are basically similar to digital creatures, though having some drawbacks. You can give them a name, and they will accompany you throughout a game. These sidekicks are immortal, and you can interact with them. Opposing gamers not in your squad are unable to view these pets — and displaying your animal friends is arguably half the enjoyment of owning them. Pets can be customized with outfits and emotes, but the controversy centers on their appearance. Each sidekick's overall design can only be changed one time, at which point that choice is permanent. You can select a sidekick's fur shade, secondary colors, iris tones, markings, and its build size.

The Costly Customization System

Should you later choose that you want their pet to look a bit altered, you cannot just further modify its appearance. You have to buy a new companion. Furthermore, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. The majority of players are obtaining the banana-themed sidekick, because it is included in the current battle pass. Based on leaks, future pets may 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. However, players can rename a sidekick as many times as they want.

Community Response and Parallels

The majority of pets have not been formally released so far, meaning the cost could easily be adjusted. But regardless of whether the company makes sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the anger stems from the fact that players might need to spend for a single kind of sidekick more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme feels particularly unfair when the developer has already introduced companions that are carried around as part of backpack accessories. Back bling companions do not have a restriction on changes and can be seen by other participants in the match. Backpack buddies can't be named or perform gestures, but opposing players are able to sometimes engage with them — which is better than remaining invisible altogether.

Lack of special features and restricted interaction choices have many players feeling underwhelmed. Why can't a player, for example, play fetch with their fancy fruit-themed pet? Some note that sidekicks do not always keep up with the player if a game is moving quickly, or mention that Peels occupies two slots in the battle pass — which reinforces the idea that the company is pressuring players for money. Profit-driven is a term that's coming up frequently in such conversations, with a number of likening pet pricing to other intense pricing schemes in titles like popular sports games. Additionally, it adds to the issue that certain sidekicks are projected to be pricier than their character skin versions.

"We urge you to avoid purchasing Sidekicks," urges a highly-voted community post that advises fellow gamers to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand they're adorable," the thread adds, "we realize they're enjoyable. I know everyone has been looking forward to them. However the greed being shown is unacceptable and must not be rewarded."

The Bigger Context of Virtual Spending

In recent years, Fortnite's special occasions and partnerships have grown in scope and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start game still needs to earn revenue. As such, the sheer quantity of items players can currently purchase has grown almost excessive. Beyond basics like back blings, gliders, harvesting tools, and emotes, you could possibly use cash on shoes, music tracks, musical tools, building blocks, vehicles, wheels, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require payment, and also introduce a range of new monetization options for the company. It is likely, users will before long be able to pay for items like pet appearances, outfits, emotes, and additional interaction options.

Every one of such cosmetics are completely voluntary and unneeded to have fun with the experience, but gear can still influence a player's community experience. Kids, for instance, at times encounter teasing for using flashy enough outfits. A similar issue previously transpired when the developer introduced brand-name shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear pricing scheme wasn't well received either, and a few fans vowed that they wouldn't succumb to the temptation at the time. However ultimately, buying shoes became commonplace. Today, sidekicks are further testing the boundaries of how much a gamer could be prepared to pay to be distinctive amongst the crowd.

What is Ahead for Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are currently a fairly recent addition, and they exist a game that updates frequently. A few players are reporting that they have gotten a survey that gauges how people feel about sidekick functionality and pricing, and this might potentially indicate that the company's strategy are remain subject to change. Yet if the game shoes are any indication, companions likely won't become more affordable in general — there will just be a wider selection of costs to shop.

Ultimately, while certain players are raging at the game shop prices, others are experiencing only happiness for their new battle royale pals.