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Gacha games have become an essential part of the lives of children today. Where children preferred to go out and play in sandboxes a decade ago, they now prefer to do so while being glued to their mobiles and computer screens.
It has become difficult for parents to keep an eye on the screen activity of their children, making them feel frustrated.
All parents want to know what gacha games are and what is so special in them that they are so popular among kids. We understand that, as parents, you are also concerned about whether gacha games are safe for children to play.
So, what are gacha games, and why have they become so popular all of a sudden? Most importantly, are they healthy for kids to play?
Let's take a deep dive into these games to see why kids love them so much.
What is a Gacha Game?
Gacha games, a popular genre in the mobile gaming world, have taken the digital gaming industry by storm. Gacha games have captured the attention of children and teenagers alike with their exciting in-game mechanics and reward systems.
These games originated from Japanese capsule toy vending machines, and so far, they've been loved by fans from all over the world.
Players have to pull, spin, or roll using in-game currency to win random items like cards and characters. It has a mechanism similar to vending machines.
Children are particularly drawn towards the vibrant graphics of these games coupled with engaging storylines.
What's more is that in these gacha games, players are not alone in their journey!
They can choose to team up with other players, such as their friends or other random players, to make the entire process much more rewarding.
Why Are Gacha Games So Popular?
Gacha games have increased in popularity over the last few years due to several reasons
Excitement and Thrill:
- Gacha games generate excitement through the thrill of spending virtual currency to receive random rewards.
- The mystery box element of not knowing what's inside until opened creates curiosity and anticipation.
- Rewards can vary from very good to very bad, adding to the suspense and excitement.
Accessibility:
- Gacha games are easily accessible on smartphones and tablets playable anywhere and anytime.
- Available on the latest iOS and Android mobile devices, making them highly convenient.
- The free-to-play model with optional in-app purchases allows easy entry without financial commitments.
Engagement:
- Frequent updates with new content keep the games fresh and maintain player interest over time.
- The social aspect encourages players to compare collections, share achievements, and participate in community events.
- This social interaction keeps players invested and makes gacha games highly appealing.
Top 6 Popular Chinese Gacha Games
Of course, we can't talk about gacha games without mentioning six of the hottest Chinese gacha games.
1. Genshin Impact
Developed and published by miHoYo, Genshin Impact has incredible graphics and allows you to explore its stunning open world.
In this game, you can battle through dungeons and forests to collect new and improved characters.
With so many playable characters to choose from, there's never a dull moment in Genshin Impact.
2. Honkai Star Rail
Developed and published by miHoYo, Honkai Star Rail lets you take control of the character of Trailblazer.
In this game, you aim to obtain some pretty playable characters with different elements and fighting styles.
As the story unravels, you try and defeat your opponents in this incredibly fun game involving turn-based combat.
3. Arknights
Developed by Chinese developer Hypergryph, Arknights is known for being F2P friendly.
This game has a strong focus on tower defense, so you need a good strategy to win.
In Arknights, you will find a mixture of other gameplay elements like collecting cards and autoplay.
4. Honkai Impact 3rd
Developed and published by miHoYo, Honkai Impact 3rd is the spiritual successor to Houkai Gakuen 2.
It has an addictive rock-paper-scissors combat system and a deep emotional story.
It also has impressive visuals.
5. Alchemy Stars
Developed by Tourdog Studio and published by Level Infinite, Alchemy Stars is a game where players have to build a team of five characters.
Each character is associated with one of the four elements.
Alchemy Stars takes place in Astra, a world different from our own, inhabited by Aurorians who constantly fight against evil beings called Eclipsites.
6. Tower of Fantasy
Developed by Hotta Studio, Tower of Fantasy is a game where players embark on a fantasy adventure together.
In this game, depleting resources and a lack of energy have forced humans to migrate to a foreign planet called Aida.
There, humans discovered the powerful energy Omnium in the comet Mara and built the Omnium Tower to capture it. Later, a conflict arose between two groups as one group wanted to use Omnium but the other one was against its usage as it was damaging Aida.
Which Countries Legislate Against Gacha Games and Why?
Japan, China, and some European countries have taken steps to legislate against Gacha games.
It is because the Gacha games are often classified as gambling because of the random nature of the prizes.
These games are also compared to loot boxes as they encourage users to spend money to win a random item during gameplay.
Players often become emotionally attached to their virtual items and may experience frustration or sadness when they fail to obtain desired items or lose them. Additionally, some sexy gacha games may contain inappropriate content, posing potential harm to younger players.
The addictive nature of gacha games, coupled with the use of in-game currency that differs from real-world currency, can lead to children spending large amounts of money without realizing how much they're spending.
This disconnect makes it difficult for children to track their expenditures, potentially leading to significant financial consequences.
Hence, Japan has banned the "Complete Gacha," which requires users to continue playing until and unless they collect the complete set of prizes.
On the other hand, China's law requires the Gacha games and loot boxes to disclose the probability of winning the item.
China has also put a daily limit on the number of loot boxes that can be bought in one day.
European countries like Spain introduced a new legislative bill in 2022 to put restrictions on Gacha games and loot boxes, including:
- spending limit
- Age Verification
- Sharing the chances of winning the prize.
The Netherlands has put a ban on certain types of loot boxes, and video games that feature loot boxes are banned in Belgium, affecting Gacha games.
Are Gacha Games Safe to Play for Children?
As these games are super addictive, they are not suitable for children, especially if they are playing games excessively.
Parents should make sure to keep an eye on their children when they are playing games.
It is also understandable that it is difficult for parents to control their children from playing these games as they are very engaging.
But there are ways through which parents can control their children from playing Gacha games.
1. Set clear screen time limits
Talk to your children about the drawbacks of using a screen for a long time and playing video games excessively.
Encourage them to do physical activities.
However, some children are also very clever and stubborn, so they find ways to play video games when their parents are not around them.
It is also not practically possible for parents to stay around the kids all the time and keep an eye on their activities on their mobile phones.
In such matters, parental control apps like FamiSafe play a key role in helping parents set screen time for kids.
set screen time using FamiSafe
2. Disable Game Transactions
You can disable Game Transactions by going into the settings on both iOS and Android phones. However, we understand that sometimes parents forget to turn off in-app purchases, so the most reliable method we recommend is never to save your card on any device.
Even if it is your phone, don't save your card details so that your children will have no way to spend money on games without your consent.
3. Plan game nights with your Children
Planning game nights with your children is one of the most effective ways to know and understand the games they are playing.
The gaming industry is constantly growing and introducing new games.
It is difficult for parents to understand new games and to know if they are safe for their children or not.
The best way you can ensure the games your children are playing are safe is by playing those games with them. This way, you will know which games you should let your children play.
Conclusion
In my opinion, kids nowadays are very clever and smart. So you can't fully stop them from playing gacha games. But you can take measures to protect your kids from the potential harm of playing games.
The best thing you can do to protect your kids is to discuss the potential harms of excessively playing video games with them and engaging them in other fun and physical activities.
Most importantly, you can take a smarter move by blocking Gacha game apps on your children's devices using FamiSafe. This is one of the best steps you can take as parents to protect your kids.
block apps using FamiSafe
