The F2P RPG Duet Night Abyss has decided to forgo gacha mechanics only weeks before its launch, citing "consistent" player "dissatisfaction" as the driving factor behind the decision

Pan Studio's upcoming RPG, Duet Night Abyss, has eliminated all gacha systems shortly before its scheduled release on October 28.

Speaking to Automaton, producer Deca Bear revealed the decision. Initially, the game for both PC and mobile platforms included character gacha as part of its monetization design. However, after receiving "consistent" negative feedback during beta testing, the development team opted to eliminate both character and weapon gacha elements.

"Upon reviewing player data and feedback from our community, alongside survey results from recent beta phases, it was evident that dissatisfaction with these features was broad," Bear noted. "Despite numerous internal discussions, we realized optimizing gacha and stamina systems wouldn't address the core issues players expressed.

"Consequently, we decided to return to our foundational vision for Duet Night Abyss—a game that's enjoyable, accessible, and not burdensome for players. To align with this vision, we removed the gacha and stamina components, leading to more cohesive gameplay."

Bear acknowledged that while this decision might result in a temporary loss of immediate monetization avenues, he anticipates it will cultivate "better player retention, improved reputation, and a more viable long-term business strategy."

"Our objective from a management standpoint is to develop a game that remains viable over the long haul," he said. "Therefore, our monetization choices are shaped not only by present market trends but also by player expectations for the next three to five years.

"Whether players decide to spend hinges on how much they value the game, so we’re focused on avoiding short-term earnings strategies. We're steering clear of pay-to-win elements and unnecessary spending, instead ensuring the game is genuinely enjoyable."

Now, acquiring characters in the game will be free and, in most cases, permanent. Pan Studios aims to generate revenue from cosmetics, animations, and accessories in Duet Night Abyss.