Yostar released details today (the 28th) regarding the upcoming monetization changes for the Japanese server of Nexon Games' subculture collection RPG, 'Blue Archive.'

These changes expand on the announcement made during the JP server's 5.5th-anniversary livestream on the 26th. The previous system, which allowed players to exchange 200 'Recruitment Points' for a rate-up character, is being replaced by a 'soft pity' system: a guaranteed 3-star character at 100 pulls (with a 50% chance of it being the rate-up character) and a guaranteed rate-up character at 200 pulls.

Because updates on the JP server—published by Yostar—eventually roll out to the global server (serviced by Nexon) and the CN server (operated by Yostar), global users have voiced various concerns on social media and community forums. Key points of contention included the fact that the announcement was read by voice actors during a livestream rather than by the development or operations team, the short lead time between the announcement on the 26th and implementation on the 29th, and differences between Blue Archive's roadmap and other games that use similar soft pity models. Users also pointed out that the initial announcement lacked sufficient detail.

In response, Yostar provided a breakdown of the monetization renewal. The 'Permanent Recruitment' banner will be removed as part of the system simplification. Additionally, the existing 'Recruitment Points' mileage system will be abolished, and any remaining points will be automatically converted into Keystone Pieces.

The update also introduces a 'Recruitment Charge' system, which tracks the number of pulls instead of points. If a rate-up character is not obtained, the Recruitment Charge increases. There are two types of charges: a standard 'Recruitment Charge' for regular rate-up banners, and a 'Limited Recruitment Charge' for limited-time, anniversary, Recollect, and Encore banners. Charges are only shared between banners of the same type and reset only when the rate-up character is obtained, mirroring standard soft pity models.

Furthermore, a new 'Recruitment Count Perk' system will track the number of pulls during a banner period to provide rewards. This system is divided into 'First-Time Perks' (granted once per season) and 'Repeat Perks' (granted repeatedly based on cumulative pulls after the first-time rewards). Rewards include limited 10-pull tickets, Advanced Tactical BD Selection Chests, Eligma, Gift Chests, and Advanced Tech Note Selection Chests.

The recruitment perk rewards announced today are as follows.

■ First-Time Perks

10 pulls: Advanced Tactical Training BD Selection Chest ×2

30 pulls: Eligma ×10

50 pulls: Advanced Tech Note Selection Chest ×5

70 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

90 pulls: Gift Chest ×2

110 pulls: Eligma ×20

130 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

150 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

170 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

190 pulls: Superior Tech Note Selection Chest ×5

210 pulls: Advanced Tactical Training BD Selection Chest ×2

230 pulls: Eligma ×10

250 pulls: Advanced Tech Note Selection Chest ×5

270 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

290 pulls: Gift Chest ×2

310 pulls: Eligma ×20

330 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

350 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

370 pulls: Limited 10-Pull Ticket ×1

390 pulls: Superior Tech Note Selection Chest ×5

■ Repeat Perks

20th pull (410 total): Advanced Tactical Training BD Selection Chest ×1

40th pull (430 total): Advanced Tech Note Selection Chest ×3

60th pull (450 total): Gift Chest ×1

80th pull (470 total): Keystone Piece ×30

100th pull (490 total): Eligma ×10

120th pull (510 total): Blu-ray Note ×1

140th pull (530 total): Superior Tactical Training BD Selection Chest ×1

160th pull (550 total): Rare Gift Chest ×1

180th pull (570 total): Superior Tech Note Selection Chest ×3

200th pull (590 total): Eligma ×10

Meanwhile, 'Archive Recruitment,' which allows players to select and recruit students that have been released for a long time or can be obtained through Eleph farming, as well as 'Recruitment' via paid items, do not count toward the recruitment bonus tally. Additionally, 'Archive Recruitment' will continue to operate in the same manner as before.

The monetization changes for the Blue Archive JP server will be implemented in the update on the 29th, with the rollout for the global server, including Korea, to be announced at a later date.