Gacha game

Gacha game refers to video games that utilize the Gacha mechanic (capsule toy) to monetize the game; the idea is closely related to the use of loot boxes as a monetization scheme. Most of these games are freemium. Examples of Gacha games are Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius,Fire Emblem Heroes,Puzzle & Dragons,Dragon Collection,Granblue Fantasy,Monster Strike and Fate/Grand Order. There are also extreme examples of whaling in mobile games. This is known as a "Lethality Whale." These people have lots of extra cash compared to the average gamer, but these are extreme cases and shouldn't be taken at face value. They are known to congregate in popular role-playing games such as Grand Summoners and Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.

The name comes from Japanese Gashapon machines. "Gashapon" is an onomatopoeic word, as "Gacha" is the sound that is made when turning the handle to dispense the toy, and "Pon" is the sound of the prize falling out. The term "Gacha" is derived from that first syllable.

The Gacha game model arose in the early 2010s, faring particularly well in Japan. Nowadays, almost all of the highest grossing mobile games in Japan use a similar mechanism. Some consider the model to have become an integral part of Japanese mobile game culture. Outside Japan, the game type is also gaining popularity.

In these games, there are usually numerous characters, cards, or other items that players can obtain, and most of them are only obtainable via the "gacha" mechanism. The "gacha" mechanism would allow players to "spin" the gacha using a specific amount of in-game currency, which would give player a randomized character or item. Sometimes, these gacha would be limited, such that those characters and items can only be obtained within a specific event time frame. Because some of these items or characters would be given less chance to appear, typically players would need to spin the gacha many times before they can get the most desired outcome.

In these games, gacha could be essential for players to make progress in the game. Players may be given free or discounted gachas, but have to pay to get more. These games may also feature different tiers of gacha pulls, which give different sets of rewards.

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