🔗 Share this article

Some Fortnite enthusiasts are experiencing let down, and it's not due to the latest in-game happenings. The game's newest limited-time event, which brings a Simpsons-themed world, has also rolled out a brand-new feature called sidekicks. There's no deny that these new pets are cute. However, the associated prices have left many players stunned at this developer's attempts to monetize almost each aspect of the game.

What Are Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are essentially like digital creatures, though having a few limitations. Players can name them, and these pets will accompany you throughout a match. They are immortal, and players can interact with them. Opposing gamers not in the player's party cannot view sidekicks — and displaying one's companions is arguably half the enjoyment of owning them. Sidekicks can be outfitted with outfits and emotes, but the controversy centers on their appearance. A pet's main design is only able to be changed once, at which point that choice becomes final. Players can choose a sidekick's fur shade, accent hues, eye colors, markings, and their body type.

A Expensive Customization Mechanism

If you afterward decide that you want your sidekick to look a bit different, it's not possible to just continue to modify its look. You have to buy a new companion. And, these pets aren't cheap. The majority of players are getting the Peels pet, since it's included with the current battle pass. According to unofficial reports, future sidekicks could cost from 1,000 to 1,500 V-Bucks; for reference, 1,000 V-Bucks costs $8.99 and 2,800 V-Bucks are $22.99. You can rename a sidekick as many times as you'd like.

Community Response and Parallels

The majority of sidekicks haven't been officially launched yet, so the cost may well change. But regardless of whether the company sets sidekicks more affordable, much of the frustration comes from the fact that players could have to pay for a one type of sidekick multiple times. To certain players, the cost structure seems particularly egregious considering the developer has already introduced companions that ride around as part of backpack accessories. Backpack companions do not have a restriction on changes and are visible by other participants in the match. Back bling pets cannot be named or use gestures, but opposing players can sometimes interact with them — and this is better than remaining unseen altogether.

Lack of unique features and limited interaction choices have many players feeling underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, such as, interact playfully with your fancy fruit-themed pet? A few note that companions do not always keep up with the user if a match is fast-paced, or observe that the banana pet occupies two slots in the battle pass — which supports the idea that the company is squeezing the community for money. Greedy is a word that's coming up frequently in such conversations, with a number of comparing sidekick monetization to similar intense pricing schemes in games like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that certain sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent outfit versions.

"PLEASE avoid purchasing Sidekicks," pleads one highly-voted online thread that encourages fellow players to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"We understand they're adorable," the post adds, "we realize they're enjoyable. We are aware we have all been anticipating them. However the greed on display is disgusting and should not be rewarded."

The Bigger Picture of Virtual Purchases

Over the past few years, the game's special occasions and collaborations have expanded in scale and ambition, yet the free-to-play game continues to must generate revenue. As such, the sheer number of cosmetics players are able to currently buy has become almost overwhelming. In addition to basics like back accessories, gliders, harvesting tools, and emotes, players might potentially use money on shoes, music tracks, instruments, building blocks, cars, wheels, custom paint jobs, battle passes, and a subscription. Companion pets do not just require payment, and also bring in a host of new revenue options for the developer. Presumably, players will soon be able to spend for things like sidekick looks, outfits, emotes, and further interaction options.

All of these customization items are entirely optional and unneeded to enjoy the game, yet equipment can nonetheless affect a player's social experience. Younger players, for instance, at times encounter teasing for using flashy sufficiently cool outfits. A comparable issue previously transpired when the company introduced licensed kicks, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That shoe cost model wasn't popular as well, and some players vowed that they'd avoid fall prey to the temptation at the time. But ultimately, purchasing shoes became normalized. Now, sidekicks are further pushing the limits of how much a gamer might be willing to pay to be distinctive amongst the crowd.

What's Ahead for Sidekicks?

Pets are currently a relatively new feature, and they exist a title that updates regularly. Some players are sharing that they've received a survey that gauges how the community think about pet mechanics and pricing, and this might possibly indicate that the company's strategy are still fluid. Yet if Fortnite shoes are any indication, companions probably won't become more affordable overall — instead, there may be a broader range of prices to choose from.

Ultimately, where certain individuals are raging at the game item costs, different players are feeling only happiness for their new competitive friends.