Definition:
Gacha is a monetisation system, originating in Japanese games, in which players spend currency to receive random characters, items, or upgrades, often with extremely low odds for desirable outcomes.
Usage Context:
Common in mobile and online games, particularly those structured around collection, rarity tiers, and limited-time events.
Critical Note:
Gacha systems intensify compulsion through scarcity, social comparison, and sunk-cost pressure. Progression is deliberately slowed to encourage spending, transforming play into a cycle of hope, disappointment, and escalation of commitment.