ANANTA Breaks the Mold: No Gacha in NetEase’s Open-World GTA-Style Game
NetEase has shocked the gaming world with a bold move: its upcoming open-world anime game ANANTA will completely remove character gacha, marking what could be a major turning point for the free-to-play business model.
According to Famitsu, every character in ANANTA can be unlocked for free through regular gameplay and progression, eliminating the need for random pulls or luck-based systems. Even those with unique skills or playstyles will be fully accessible without spending a cent.
Instead of relying on gacha for revenue, ANANTA will focus on cosmetic monetization, offering purchasable outfits, vehicles, and in-game customization options. This represents a significant shift away from the traditional free-to-play model, which has long depended on gacha to drive revenue.
Games like Genshin Impact and similar titles have built their core systems around character pulls, often requiring real money or heavy grinding to obtain desired characters. By removing this mechanic entirely, ANANTA could disrupt the global market and reshape industry expectations.
The game’s latest gameplay trailer, shared on PlayStation’s official YouTube, has already generated nearly 1 million views, with over 10 million pre-registrations worldwide. While an exact launch date has yet to be announced, ANANTA will be showcased at the Tokyo Game Show, where more details are expected.
Set in the sprawling city of Nova, ANANTA blends myth and reality in an urban RPG adventure. Players take on the role of A.C.D., a covert agent exploring a vibrant world full of secrets and dangers. From strolling through Paradox Plaza and battling through the chaotic Glimmergold district to wielding psychic powers like Infinite Trigger to fight the looming threat known as Chaos, ANANTA promises a genre-defining experience without the gacha grind.
