Fortnite adds new companions: they are pets that accompany you, but customizing them will be very expensive

Epic Games has pulled a new type of cosmetic item out of its sleeve for Fortnite. The rumored companions are now a reality: they are pets that accompany players across different game modes.

One step forward, one step back: Fortnite’s new companions are a highly anticipated addition, but with abusive monetization

Fortnite has introduced companions via a blog post on the game’s official website. This is a new type of cosmetic item consisting of a small animal that, like a pet, accompanies us in our games in almost all game modes, and with which we can interact by performing different emotes. As it is a cosmetic modification, it does not affect the balance of the games, similar to footwear and sneakers, the most recent type of accessory to be introduced into the game.

So far, so good; this is a natural evolution of the unique customizations that Fortnite offers its players and an evolution of the old pet backpacks, with which users can create unique and unrepeatable locker combinations. However, the gaming community has exploded as soon as a key detail has come to light: it will be impossible to edit the appearance and accessories of a companion once we have chosen them. The “solution”? Buy a new copy of the same type of animal/companion and dress it up with different clothes and accessories, as stated on the corresponding FAQ page.

Criticism has been swift—and rightly so—given that this move is perceived as unprecedented abuse of Fortnite users. Instead of allowing players to choose between different styles or accessories, as is already the case with many of the character skins, Epic Games has deliberately chosen to limit access to the customization of these animals with a paywall in order to maximize its profits. “It’s unbelievable, they’re greedy,” or “They’ve really sunk low with this” are some of the “milder” comments players have posted in response to Fortnite’s social media posts.

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The companions will be officially introduced with the next Battle Pass, available on November 1st, coinciding with the new mini-season of “The Simpsons,” and others will arrive in the store on the 7th of that same month; their individual prices are not yet known. Although the company has not yet responded to user criticism—which, let’s remember, is legitimate—significant pressure from its community could cause Epic Games to rethink its content strategy.

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