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A number of battle royale players are feeling disappointed, and it's not due to recent virtual happenings. The game's current mini-season, which introduces a Springfield world, also rolled out a brand-new feature known as sidekicks. It's impossible to deny that these latest companions are adorable. However, the associated costs have left numerous players stunned at this developer's efforts to profit from nearly each aspect of the gaming experience.

What Are Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are essentially similar to Pokémon, though having some limitations. You can give them a name, and these pets will follow you during a game. They are immortal, and you can pet them. Other players not in your squad are unable to see these pets — and showing off your companions is perhaps a big part of the fun of having them. Pets are able to be outfitted with costumes and gestures, but the controversy centers on their looks. A pet's overall appearance is only able to be altered once, at which point that selection becomes final. You can choose a sidekick's fur shade, accent hues, iris tones, pattern, and their body type.

The Expensive Personalization Mechanism

Should you later choose that you want your sidekick to look a bit different, it's not possible to simply further customize its look. You have to purchase another sidekick. Furthermore, sidekicks are not inexpensive. Most people are getting the banana-themed pet, because it is included in the current reward track. Based on unofficial reports, future sidekicks could be priced at 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 change the name of a companion whenever you'd like.

Community Reaction and Parallels

The majority of pets have not been officially released so far, so the pricing may easily be adjusted. Yet regardless of whether the company sets sidekicks cheaper, a lot of the anger comes from the reality that players could have to spend for a single type of sidekick more than once. To certain players, the pricing scheme seems particularly egregious when the developer has already introduced pets that are carried about as part of backpack accessories. Backpack companions lack a restriction on changes and are visible by fellow participants in the game. Back bling buddies can't be given a name or use gestures, however opposing players can occasionally engage with them — and this is more favorable than remaining invisible completely.

The absence of unique functions and limited engagement options have numerous gamers feeling disappointed. Why can't a player, for example, interact playfully with your stylish banana dog? A few note that sidekicks sometimes fail to stay close with the player if a match is fast-paced, or mention that the banana pet takes up two slots in the reward system — which reinforces the notion that the developer is pressuring the community for revenue. Greedy is a term that's appearing frequently in these conversations, with some comparing pet monetization to other aggressive pricing schemes in games like EA Sports FC. Additionally, it doesn't help that some sidekicks are expected to be more expensive than equivalent outfit versions.

"PLEASE do not buy Sidekicks," pleads one highly-voted community post that advises other gamers to figuratively express disapproval by not spending.

"We understand they're adorable," the thread continues, "I know they're fun. We are aware everyone has been looking forward to them. However the monetization focus being shown is unacceptable and should not be rewarded."

A Bigger Context of Virtual Purchases

Over the past few years, the game's events and partnerships have grown in scope and aspiration, yet the free-to-play game still must generate income. Therefore, the total quantity of cosmetics players are able to currently buy has grown almost excessive. Beyond basics like back blings, deployment tools, harvesting tools, and gestures, you could potentially spend cash on shoes, songs, musical tools, building blocks, vehicles, wheels, vehicle drift colors, battle passes, and a membership. Companion pets do not just require money, but also introduce a range of new monetization avenues for the developer. It is likely, users will soon be able to pay for items like pet appearances, costumes, gestures, and additional interaction features.

All of such cosmetics are completely optional and unneeded to have fun with the experience, yet equipment can nonetheless influence a player's social interactions. Younger players, for example, at times encounter teasing for not wearing impressive sufficiently cool skins. A comparable situation also transpired when the developer introduced licensed shoes, which can range from 600 to 1,000 V-Bucks. That footwear pricing scheme wasn't well received as well, and a few fans promised that they wouldn't fall prey to the pressure back then. However in the end, purchasing shoes grew commonplace. Today, companion pets are additionally testing the boundaries of what a gamer could be willing to spend to stand out within the crowd.

What's Ahead for Sidekicks?

Sidekicks are currently a relatively new addition, and they exist a game that updates regularly. Some fans are reporting that they've gotten a survey that assesses how the community feel about pet mechanics and pricing, and this might possibly indicate that the company's strategy are remain fluid. But if the game shoes are any indication, sidekicks likely will not get more affordable in general — instead, there may be a wider selection of prices to shop.

After all, while certain players are raging at the game shop prices, others are feeling nothing but joy for their competitive pals.