Gacha's monetization strategy has taken over modern digital entertainment, generating billions of dollars on both mobile and PC platforms. The concept is based on random selection or “pulling” of virtual things, characters or assets that people want. On the other hand, the success of games like Genshin Impact demonstrates a shift from pure randomness to controlled systems that provide a return on player participation. This keeps players engaged longer and helps manage perceptions of fairness. The pity system and soft currency restrictions are two of the most important concepts that change the economics of gacha games.
How RNG Helps Player Retention
The pity system is the most important measure to counteract disappointment. inherent in the mechanics of random number generation (RNG). This works as an invisible guarantee that accumulates over time: after a certain number of unsuccessful attempts to obtain a rare item, the system assures that the next attempt will be successful. The Genshin Impact gacha system depends on this part.
The normal pity system for getting a 5-star character or weapon in Genshin Impact is usually set to 90 attempts. The system has a “soft pity” function, which is very important. This means that the chances of getting a rare item increase significantly between 75 and 90 attempts. This data-driven probability manipulation smoothes the player experience, turning frustration into anticipation, and measurably increases conversion rates for players approaching the threshold.
Soft Currency Restrictions and Free-to-Play Balance Economics
Besides the pity system, gacha games manage their economies through soft in-game currency restrictions and resource limits. “Soft currency” refers to resources obtained through gameplay, such as free Primogems in Genshin Impact or Star Jade in Honkai: Star Railwaywhich can be converted into premium Gacha currency (wishes or Star Rail passes).
These soft currency systems have inherent limitations, particularly the time and effort required to process them. The developers carefully balance the speed of creating free currency with the speed of releasing new, high-demand characters. This intentional regulation ensures that consumers of free-to-play games can always move forward, which keeps them interested, while also putting pressure on “whales” (high-spending players) to buy premium currency so they can get the assets once they're released. This planned lack of availability keeps the economic value of premium products high.
Expenditures, involvement and perceived fairness
Integrating verifiable Pity mechanics directly impacts player psychology. When players know that their plays contribute to a guaranteed outcome, the perception of the fairness of the system increases, leading to more sustained participation. This transparency reduces the risk of player burnout associated with long losing streaks, thereby extending the average lifespan of a player.
Players often spend a lot of money right before they reach the Pity level, demonstrating that the system works as an incentive to “top up the account”. You need to choose a website you can trust, with clear recommendations, verifiable ratings and information on how to avoid scams so you can safely take advantage of benefits such as the casino welcome bonusfree spins or trials. This behavioral consequence is a planned design choice that turns a high-risk bet into a measurable investment with a guaranteed future return. These rules work as overriding obligations to force people to join the platform's core economic cycle, just as players are forced to structure incentives in gacha systems.
Comparing Genshin Impact other Gacha heavyweights
Pity system mechanics adopted To Genshin Impact set the market standard. Other gacha heavyweights use similar, often more complex variations. For example, games such as Fate/Grand Order historically lacked a guaranteed pity system, which contributed to its reputation as being extremely difficult to obtain certain units. The subsequent introduction of similar guarantee mechanics into the wider market, driven by user demand and competitive success, highlights the need to manage players' risk perceptions.
Conversely, games with alternative monetization, such as direct purchase of cosmetics, common in Western games such as FortniteThe gacha generally does without pity. However, economic success Genshin Impact The model confirms that the combination of an expensive random number generator combined with verifiable security systems produces the maximum revenue in its specific category. Gacha game economy now revolves around guarantee rarity And exclusivity subject, not necessarily access to it for a certain number of attempts.
