I'm Worried Gacha Games Like Genshin Impact & Infinity Nikki Are Changing AAA Games Forever

screenrant.com:

Gacha games like and make up some of the most played and profitable experiences. They've become so prevalent over the past few years and integrated themselves so well into the AAA space, that games populated by anime girls and middling JRPG combat are no longer a niche occurrence, but something actively sought after by Western gaming communities. Had you told my younger self that not only would these types of character designs be normalized, but that millions of players would be sinking time and money into a game like, I'd never have believed you.

Initially, when launched, it felt like harmless fun. However, now that the seemingly endless pool of gacha games has grown exponentially, their detrimental effects on players and the gaming industry as a whole are well documented. Unfortunately, games like gain millions of players within days of launching, all of whom continue to pour more money and time into the world of arguably unethical forever games. I thought the fad would pass, but it seems like gacha games are here to stay, and their continued negative impact on the gaming industry is concerning.

, as I suspect it was for many, was my first gacha game. As someone who has always struggled with getting into mobile gaming, the original style of gacha games, collecting static JPEGs of anime girls while grinding tedious combat, never appealed to me. However, high-quality production value, open-world design, and gorgeous visuals were instantly more appealing, as too were the many glowing reviews claiming that it was not necessary to spend a single penny in order to enjoy it.

It's important to remember that launched in 2020, a time when people had very little money and were cooped up with little to do. AAA game pricing was also increasing in line with inflation and the rising costs of video game production, with new games going for the now normalized sum of $70. It's only natural that everyone immediately latched onto the free and sprawling.

I can't say I enjoyed my time