Ananta Developers is betting on players forming emotional connections with the characters in its upcoming free-to-play open-world action game. The strategy centers on making these character relationships a key driver for the purchase of cosmetic items, according to the development team.
"In Ananta, it is free-to-play, and then you will obtain the characters as the story unfolds," Rain, the game's global publishing lead, explained. "We think that we have enough time to develop each unique character for our players." The studio, also known as Naked Rain, emphasized that simply acquiring a character is not the end goal. Instead, players are encouraged to spend time with characters, learning about their lives and personalities through in-game interactions and story progression. This approach aims to foster a deeper bond, making players more inclined to invest in their chosen characters.
"When you have interactions with the characters as well, or you live in their lives, you have established a closer bond with the character, and then you will feel you would like to buy him or her something," they clarified. The developers likened this to the experience of enjoying a convention like Gamescom; a positive experience naturally leads to a desire to purchase related merchandise.
The game's narrative missions were highlighted as a strong point during a hands-on demonstration at Gamescom, where helping two anime-style characters escape a mansion proved to be an engaging experience that fostered a sense of care for their well-being. This suggests the game is designed to facilitate such attachments.
This model aligns with common practices in the free-to-play market, where cosmetic items are a significant revenue stream that does not impact core gameplay. Ananta's approach appears to elevate this by making the player's emotional investment a prerequisite for purchasing these optional customizations. With numerous characters to meet and potentially purchase gifts for, the developers plan to encourage players to establish a connection before offering opportunities to buy cosmetic enhancements. It remains to be seen how effectively this strategy will resonate with players amidst growing scrutiny of microtransactions.