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A number of battle royale enthusiasts are feeling let down, and it's not due to recent virtual happenings. The game's newest mini-season, that introduces a Simpsons-themed world, also unveiled a brand-new feature called pets. It's impossible to deny that these latest pets are cute. But, the associated prices have left numerous fans shocked at the company's attempts to monetize nearly every aspect of the gaming experience.

What Are Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are essentially similar to Pokémon, though having some drawbacks. Players can give them a name, and they will accompany your character throughout a match. They are indestructible, and players can pet them. Other gamers not in the player's squad cannot view these pets — and displaying your animal friends is perhaps a big part of the fun of having them. Pets are able to be outfitted with costumes and emotes, however the controversy revolves around their looks. A sidekick's main design can only be altered once, after which that selection is final. You can select a sidekick's coat color, secondary colors, eye colors, markings, and their body type.

The Expensive Customization Mechanism

Should you afterward decide that they'd like their sidekick to appear a bit different, it's not possible to just continue to modify its appearance. You have to purchase a new sidekick. And, sidekicks aren't inexpensive. The majority of people are obtaining the banana-themed sidekick, because it is included with the current battle pass. Based on unofficial reports, upcoming 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 are $22.99. You can change the name of a companion whenever you'd like.

Community Reaction and Parallels

Most pets have not been formally launched yet, meaning the pricing may easily be adjusted. But regardless of whether the company makes sidekicks more affordable, a lot of the frustration comes from the fact that players might have to pay for a single kind of pet multiple times. To certain players, the cost structure seems particularly unfair when the game has previously introduced companions that ride around as part of backpack accessories. Back bling pets do not have a customization limitation and are visible by fellow participants in the match. Back bling pets can't be given a name or perform emotes, however other gamers can sometimes engage with them — which is better than remaining invisible altogether.

Lack of special features and limited engagement options have numerous gamers feeling underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to a player, for example, interact playfully with your stylish fruit-themed pet? A few note that sidekicks do not always keep up with the user if a game is moving quickly, or mention that the banana pet occupies two slots in the reward system — and this supports the idea that the company is pressuring players for money. Greedy is a term that's appearing frequently in these conversations, with some likening pet pricing to similar intense monetization models in games like EA Sports FC. Additionally, it doesn't help that some sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than their outfit counterparts.

"PLEASE avoid buy Companion Pets," pleads one highly-voted online thread that advises other players to figuratively vote with their wallets.

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

The Broader Context of Virtual Spending

In recent years, Fortnite's events and partnerships have grown in scope and aspiration, yet the no-cost-to-start title still must earn income. Therefore, the total quantity of items players can now purchase has grown nearly overwhelming. In addition to standard items like back accessories, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could possibly use cash on shoes, songs, musical tools, Lego pieces, vehicles, tires, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require money, but also bring in a host of new monetization options for the company. Presumably, players will soon be able to pay for items like sidekick appearances, outfits, gestures, and further engagement features.

Every one of these cosmetics are entirely voluntary and not necessary to enjoy the experience, but equipment can nonetheless influence your social experience. Kids, for example, sometimes encounter bullying for not wearing impressive sufficiently cool skins. A similar situation also occurred when the company launched brand-name shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe cost model was not well received either, and a few players promised that they'd avoid succumb to the temptation at the time. However in the end, buying shoes became normalized. Now, sidekicks are additionally pushing the limits of what a player could be willing to pay to stand out within the player base.

What's Ahead for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a relatively new addition, and they exist a title that changes frequently. Some fans are reporting that they have gotten a questionnaire that assesses how people feel about pet mechanics and pricing, which could potentially mean that the company's strategy are remain subject to change. But if Fortnite footwear are any indication, sidekicks likely will not become more affordable overall — instead, there may be a broader range of costs to shop.

After all, where certain individuals are raging at Fortnite shop prices, different players are feeling only happiness for their battle royale friends.