Ethan Crossfield 
HoYoverse is taking a notable step away from the formula that made Genshin Impact a major force in the free-game market. Nodusfall, its upcoming co-op action title, will not make players obtain characters through random draws, according to details shared with PC Gamer. Instead, the game's core experience is expected to unlock through regular gameplay, although the studio has not fully explained how customization will be monetized.
What happened with Nodusfall's character system
Nodusfall was revealed during Gamescom Opening Night Live and already appears distinct from HoYoverse's established releases. Its characters have a more realistic appearance, while the darker tone and visual direction have drawn comparisons to Elden Ring. The game is built around cooperative squads, with players working together against powerful creatures.
The biggest difference may be its approach to character acquisition. HoYoverse told PC Gamer that Nodusfall characters will not come from random draws, the system commonly associated with gacha games. Players will instead access the central gameplay experience through ordinary progression. That means character ownership should not depend on luck, spending, or assembling a favorable roster through repeated pulls.
Why the change matters for players
Character gacha can create a meaningful barrier in games where certain heroes are important for completing content. Players who fail to obtain a particular character may find themselves with fewer options, while those willing to spend can have access to a broader roster. Removing that system from Nodusfall's playable characters could make the game easier to approach and reduce concerns about gameplay being tied to monetization.
The announcement has produced cautious optimism from players. Some appear comfortable with gacha remaining in the game if it is restricted to cosmetic customization rather than combat advantages. However, HoYoverse's current explanation leaves an important question unanswered: whether customization items will be sold directly through a conventional shop or potentially placed behind another random-draw system. Until that is clarified, the game's business model remains only partly defined.
What to watch next
Nodusfall currently has no announced release window, so more information may not arrive for some time. Future previews should clarify the scope of character customization, how progression works, and whether any paid systems can affect gameplay despite the absence of character pulls.
The decision also does not signal that HoYoverse is abandoning gacha across its portfolio. Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero continue to use character gacha, equipment gacha, or both. The company is also developing Honkai: Nexus Anima, Petit Planet, and the open-world game Varsapura. Those projects could still use more familiar monetization models, meaning Nodusfall may be an experiment rather than a company-wide policy shift.
Key takeaways for players
- Nodusfall characters are not planned to come from random draws.
- The game's core experience is intended to unlock through standard gameplay.
- Customization is being considered as a monetization path.
- HoYoverse has not confirmed whether cosmetic items will use a shop or gacha.
- Nodusfall has no announced release window yet.
Expert View
Nodusfall's character policy is a smart way for HoYoverse to distinguish the game before launch. It addresses one of the clearest complaints surrounding character-driven gacha while preserving room to earn revenue from customization. The studio's next challenge is transparency: if cosmetic monetization is clearly separated from combat and progression, Nodusfall could attract players who normally avoid gacha games. If the details remain vague or customization affects performance, the goodwill from this announcement could disappear quickly.
