NCsoft, the developer and Korean publisher for upcoming game Throne and Liberty, is reportedly planning a shift away from the gacha monetization system. This decision comes in light of the increasing scrutiny and regulations surrounding gacha systems, and most notably, a lack of enjoyment from players that have criticized the practice for many years.
According to a report from Korean news site Money Today, and further corroborated by the popular fansite Throne and Liberty Online, NCSoft does not intend to introduce probability items, commonly known as loot boxes or gacha systems, in Throne and Liberty. Instead, the gameplan in terms of monetization will revolve around battle passes and subscriptions. With this approach, players can play and earn the items they want by reaching certain milestones during their subscription and battle pass period. In some ways, this is a major shift away from the systems that NCSoft has employed throughout several properties over the last decade.
This decision reportedly happened due to feedback from the Throne and Liberty Closed Beta Test (CBT), where draw items were removed. Players were then allowed to preview the season pass with cosmetic rewards that had little impact on combat abilities or power enhancing elements, and it was (unsurprisingly) far more favorable for players. While we can’t ensure with certainty that this will transition to the western version of the game, reports indicate that the move is a response to European and North American audiences who have a negative perception of gacha systems.
In addition to the monetization news, fans of Throne and Liberty have more exciting news to look forward to. NCSoft announced earlier this month that they will be holding a launch showcase set for November 2nd, where they plan to unveil more details about the Korean version of the game ahead of the launch in December. This showcase promises to provide plenty of details addressing the changes and enhancements the team has worked on in response to community feedback related to combat and progression. Following the showcase, the team will transition to the preparation of game's official launch in Korea.
Western audiences that are looking forward to the game don’t have too much longer to wait, as Amazon Games has their own plans for Throne and Liberty testing on the way. With the recent technical test determined as a success, we’ll be keeping a keen eye on the showcase as an indication of what we’re likely to see when the next Global test is announced.
