Ananta, an upcoming free-to-play action-adventure game from developer Naked Rain and publisher NetEase Games, is positioning itself as an outlier in the open-world genre by removing gacha mechanics entirely, according to a Steam news post shared through the game’s official channels.
The decision marks a deliberate break from the monetization model that has come to define free-to-play open-world games. Rather than leaning on randomized character pulls, Ananta is betting on a story-driven unlock structure and a cosmetics-focused store — a direction the studio has framed as a core differentiator for the project.
No Gacha, Characters Unlocked Through the Story
The game draws inspiration from a broad spread of titles including Spider-Man, GTA, Genshin Impact, KPop Demon Hunters, and Uncharted. Unlike several of those, however, it will not ask players to grind for character pulls. Instead, every character is unlocked through the main story, a departure from the typical free-to-play playbook that has drawn criticism elsewhere in the genre.
Cosmetics-Focused Monetization
With gacha removed, monetization will focus on cosmetics. While in-game currency can be used to purchase standard clothing, premium outfits will require real-world money, as detailed in the official announcement. The approach has been highlighted as a key differentiator that could challenge the dominance of titles like Genshin Impact and GTA Online, though such outcomes remain speculative for now.
Platforms and Release Window
Ananta is slated for release on PC, PS5, and mobile devices, launching after the recently released NTE: Neverness to Everness. As of now, Grand Theft Auto VI remains unreleased, with a fall 2026 window for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S — leaving room for Ananta to carve out its own space before the industry’s biggest open-world tentpole arrives.
