Fortnite Game Fans Express Displeasure Over Latest Companion Creatures and Alleged Monetization Tactics

Some Fortnite players are feeling disappointed, and it's not due to recent in-game happenings. Fortnite's newest mini-season, which introduces a Simpsons-themed map, has also rolled out a brand-new feature known as sidekicks. There's no ignore that these new companions are cute. However, the associated prices have made many players shocked at the company's efforts to monetize almost each aspect of the game.

Understanding Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are basically similar to Pokémon, but having some limitations. Players can give them a name, and these pets will follow you during a game. These sidekicks are indestructible, and players can interact with them. Other gamers outside the player's squad cannot see sidekicks — and showing off one's animal friends is arguably half the enjoyment of owning them. Sidekicks are able to be customized with costumes and gestures, however the debate revolves around their looks. A pet's main appearance is only able to be changed one time, after which that selection becomes final. Players can select a companion's coat color, secondary colors, iris tones, pattern, and its build size.

The Costly Personalization System

Should you afterward choose that you want their pet to appear slightly different, it's not possible to just further modify its appearance. Players must buy another sidekick. And, sidekicks are not cheap. The majority of people are obtaining the Peels sidekick, since it's included in this season's battle pass. According to unofficial reports, upcoming sidekicks could 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. However, players can change the name of a companion as many times as they want.

Player Reaction and Comparisons

Most pets have not been formally released yet, so the pricing may easily be adjusted. But even if the developer makes sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the frustration comes from the fact that gamers could have to spend for a single type of pet more than once. To certain players, the cost structure feels particularly egregious considering the developer has already introduced companions that ride around inside backpack accessories. Backpack companions do not have a customization limitation and are visible by other players in the match. Back bling pets cannot be given a name or use emotes, but other players are able to occasionally engage with them — which is better than being invisible completely.

The absence of unique functions and limited engagement choices have many players experiencing disappointed. For instance, why is it not possible to a player, for example, interact playfully with their fancy fruit-themed pet? A few point out that companions do not always stay close with the user if a match is moving quickly, or observe that Peels occupies two spots in the reward system — and this reinforces the idea that the developer is squeezing players for money. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing frequently in such discussions, with a number of likening pet monetization to similar intense pricing schemes in titles like EA Sports FC. It also doesn't help that some sidekicks are expected to be pricier than their character skin counterparts.

"We urge you to avoid buy Sidekicks," urges a highly-voted community post that advises other players to figuratively vote with their wallets.

"I know these pets are cute," the thread adds, "I know they are fun. We are aware we have all been looking forward to them. But the monetization focus on display is disgusting and should not be supported."

A Broader Picture of Virtual Spending

Over the past few years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have grown in scope and ambition, yet the no-cost-to-start title still must earn revenue. As such, the sheer number of cosmetics players are able to currently buy has become nearly excessive. Beyond standard items like back accessories, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could possibly use money on shoes, songs, instruments, building blocks, cars, tires, vehicle drift colors, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Sidekicks do not just require money, but also bring in a host of fresh revenue options for the company. Presumably, players will soon be able to spend for things like sidekick looks, outfits, emotes, and additional interaction features.

All of these cosmetics are entirely optional and unneeded to enjoy the game, but equipment can still affect your community interactions. Younger players, for example, sometimes face bullying for not wearing flashy sufficiently cool outfits. A similar issue previously transpired when the company launched brand-name kicks, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe pricing scheme wasn't well received as well, and a few players promised that they wouldn't succumb to the temptation back then. But ultimately, buying shoes grew normalized. Now, sidekicks are additionally pushing the limits of how much a player might be willing to pay to be distinctive within the player base.

What's Next for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a fairly recent feature, and they're part of a game that changes regularly. A few fans are reporting that they've gotten a survey that assesses how people feel about pet mechanics and monetization, which could potentially mean that the company's strategy are remain subject to change. But if Fortnite shoes are any indication, companions likely won't become cheaper in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of costs to shop.

Ultimately, where some individuals are expressing anger at the game shop prices, different players are feeling nothing but joy for their new competitive friends.