As per the newest leaks, Fortnite gamers will soon have some new friends in the game. Besides that, the companions are supposed to be coming in the next season; still, it is not clear whether they will be in the Battle Pass or the Item Shop. This information is provided by the very reliable leakers SpushFNBR and Loolo_WRLD, who have established their reputation through the Fortnite predictions they have made.
So what exactly are companions? From what we have understood, they are very much like tiny little friends who follow you bat the battles. They are somewhat like pets but supposedly have a higher function. Further leaks from HYPEX reveal that the skins of the companions could actually revive characters, designate enemies, and do other helpful things. If this indeed turns out to be true, it would be more than just cool—a tiny assistant who can get you back from the brink of being out? That’s the future.
The response from the player community has been rather mixed—virtually torn. A very small number of players just simply are not interested in the idea. One of them, a player named Aaron, declared, “i’m buying all of them and don’t care how much that will cost.” That is certainly a strong expression of devotion. Others, on the other hand, are already setting the stage for the particular companions they want to see in the game. The character of Santa’s Little Helper from The Simpsons is one of the most cited candidates for this role, which naturally leads to the question that if it is already in the world, isn’t it just walking by your side?
Yet, many gamers are not very pleased with the idea of having companions added to the game. Player Knightmare called them “unnecessary” and went on to say it is merely “another way of fattening Epic’s revenue stream like it was done with the shoes.” Which is, of course, a strong argument—Epic Games is certainly into finding monetization avenues. The whole sneaker saga was kinda strange anyway; are there really players who are that much into virtual shoes?
Although questions about the distribution method are still unanswered, that remains the major issue on everybody’s minds. Will they be rewards in the Battle Pass that you can gain through gameplay, or will they be Items that you have to purchase? AnimeAbsol put forward an interesting theory that they may get the “Kicks treatment,” whereby one will be part of the Battle Pass, and the rest will be available only in the shop. This definitely sounds like the kind of scenario we can expect knowing Epic’s standard patterns.
One of the most fascinating aspects is that the existing animal pets will not only act as company but will also double as a skin for the respective companions. So if you have been acquiring pet skins in the past, then you could actually use them as proper companions rather than just cosmetic back bling. This strategy is indeed a very smart one by Epic – putting life into old cosmetics once again.
Nevertheless, some players are sort of doubtful about the timing. CaptainChaos asked, “What’s it with one-month seasons and introducing things?” which is a question that has to be taken seriously. Fortnite has recently been changing the length of their seasons, and it indeed gives the impression that they are constantly introducing new mechanics and features. Not that anyone is complaining; to be precise, it is a very fun way of reviving the game.
What I find most intriguing is the functionality part. If these companions can bring back dead players and mark them, that could rework the whole meta of gameplay. Just imagine it—a little robot friend who can save you when you get knocked down? I would say that it is very close to being unbalanced if you ask me. But then, if everyone has one, it might get levelled out.
Naming is among the features suggested by the leaks that apparently each of your companions can be named by you. That is such a nice personal touch that it can really help people form a bond with their virtual friends. But I can already foresee toxic gamers cambasting their pets with unfit names, as it will be impossible for them not to do.
The companion system really reminds me of other games that offer the same option, such as the different RPGs with animal companions. But how would you place them in a battle royale? That would be uncharted territory. They could perhaps make refunds pretty much less pathetic by letting you have a lil buddy running with you. Yet, TigerTearful66 brought up a pertinent point about wanting not only to see your companions but also those of other players. It would definitely add a lot to the atmosphere and make it appear much more vibrant.
With every Fortnite leak, it is still safest to be cautious and assume that nothing has been decided until Epic releases a formal statement. There is always a chance of changes during the development process, and what is leaked is not necessarily what makes it to the final game. However, the fact that there are many sources and the information is quite detailed probably makes it very likely that the companions will be here shortly.
It doesn’t matter whether you welcome the new feature with open arms or regard it just as a tool for the developers to mint money; one thing is clear-Fortnite is constantly revamping itself in unexpected ways. The game has transformed from building mechanics to zero build modes and now possibly functional companions, never stays the same for long. At this speed, who knows what other wild ideas they might next spring on us-riding animals or something just as outrageous.
The upcoming season is far away for the players who wish to see the companions in action right away. Just pray they won’t be too much of a letdown at the Item Shop if the case ends up being that way. With the collaborations and the new cosmetic items that are getting released at such a high rate, my V-Bucks wallet can withstand only so much torture right now. But if they do turn out to be as amazing as the rumors suggest, then maybe saving up for them wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all. PlayStation and Xbox gamers might also find this interesting.
