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Some battle royale players are experiencing let down, and it's not due to the latest in-game events. The game's newest limited-time event, which brings a Springfield map, has also unveiled a fresh mechanic known as pets. It's impossible to deny that the latest companions are adorable. However, the attached costs have made many players shocked at the company's efforts to profit from almost every aspect of the game.

Understanding Companion Pets?

Sidekicks are basically like Pokémon, but having some drawbacks. Players can name them, and these pets will follow you during a match. They are indestructible, and you can interact with them. Other gamers not in the player's squad are unable to see these pets — and showing off one's companions is perhaps a big part of the enjoyment of having them. Sidekicks are able to be outfitted with outfits and gestures, but the debate revolves around their looks. Each pet's main design is only able to be altered one time, after which that choice is permanent. You can select a sidekick's fur shade, secondary colors, eye colors, pattern, and its build size.

The Costly Customization Mechanism

Should you afterward decide that you want your sidekick to appear a bit different, you cannot simply continue to customize its look. Players must purchase another sidekick. And, these pets are not cheap. Most people are getting the banana-themed pet, since it's included with this season's reward track. According to unofficial reports, future sidekicks may be priced at 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 rename a companion as many times as you'd like.

Player Reaction and Comparisons

The majority of pets have not been formally launched yet, meaning the pricing may easily change. But regardless of whether the developer sets sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the frustration stems from the fact that players might need to spend for a one kind of sidekick multiple times. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems particularly egregious considering the developer has previously added companions that ride about inside backpack accessories. Backpack pets lack a customization limitation and are visible by other players in the game. Backpack pets cannot be named or perform gestures, however other gamers can occasionally engage with them — and this is better than being unseen altogether.

Lack of unique functions and limited interaction choices have many players experiencing underwhelmed. For instance, why is it not possible to you, for example, play fetch with their stylish banana dog? A few point out that sidekicks sometimes fail to keep up with the user if a game is fast-paced, or observe that Peels occupies two spots in the reward system — and this supports the idea that the developer is squeezing players for money. Profit-driven is a term that's appearing frequently in these conversations, with a number of likening sidekick pricing to similar aggressive monetization models in titles like popular sports games. It also doesn't help that certain pets are projected to be more expensive than equivalent character skin versions.

"PLEASE avoid buy Sidekicks," urges one highly-voted online thread that encourages fellow gamers to proverbially vote with their wallets.

"We understand these pets are adorable," the thread adds, "we realize they're enjoyable. I know we have all been anticipating them. However the monetization focus on display is unacceptable and must not be supported."

A Broader Picture of Virtual Purchases

In recent years, the game's special occasions and partnerships have grown in scale and ambition, but the no-cost-to-start game still needs to earn revenue. As such, the total number of cosmetics players can currently buy has become almost excessive. Beyond basics like back accessories, gliders, pickaxes, and emotes, players might possibly spend money on shoes, music tracks, instruments, Lego pieces, cars, tires, custom paint jobs, seasonal rewards, and a subscription. Companion pets not only require money, but also bring in a range of fresh monetization avenues for the company. It is likely, users will before long be able to spend for items like sidekick appearances, outfits, emotes, and further engagement options.

Every one of these cosmetics are completely optional and not necessary to have fun with the game, yet gear can nonetheless influence your community experience. Younger players, for example, at times encounter teasing for using impressive enough skins. A similar issue previously occurred when the developer introduced brand-name shoes, which may be priced from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. The shoe cost model wasn't well received either, and a few players vowed that they'd avoid fall prey to the temptation back then. However ultimately, purchasing footwear grew commonplace. Now, companion pets are further testing the boundaries of what a gamer could be willing to pay to be distinctive amongst the crowd.

What is Next for Companion Pets?

Pets are currently a relatively new addition, and they're part of a title that updates regularly. Some players are sharing that they have received a questionnaire that assesses how people think about pet functionality and monetization, and this might possibly indicate that the developer's plans are still subject to change. But if Fortnite footwear are any indication, sidekicks likely will not get cheaper overall — instead, there may be a wider range of prices to shop.

Ultimately, while some players are raging at the game shop prices, different players are feeling only happiness for their battle royale pals.