The *Fate/Grand Order* 9th anniversary celebration took a dramatic turn with the introduction of a controversial update that sparked widespread outrage among players. The update introduced two new powerful skills, but unlocking them required an unprecedented amount of 'servant coins,' pushing players to pull more duplicates than ever before due to the game’s notoriously low drop rates.
Prior to the update, maxing out a five-star character required six copies. However, the new changes increased this requirement to eight copies, or nine for those looking to bypass a year-long grind. This adjustment frustrated many players, especially those who had already used their servant coins, leaving them to face the daunting task of obtaining more duplicates to access the new skills.
The backlash was intense, with fans expressing their dissatisfaction on the official *Fate/Grand Order* Twitter account. Some posts even escalated to graphic death threats aimed at the developers. While the frustration is understandable, such extreme actions have severely damaged the reputation of the fan community, making it challenging for legitimate concerns to be heard.
In response, Yoshiki Kano, the development director for *FGO Part 2*, issued a public apology, recognizing the dissatisfaction and anxiety caused by the new append skills. He outlined measures to mitigate the issue, including the ability to switch between unlocked append skills while retaining the level of the original skill. The developers also promised to restore servant coins used for casting the Holy Grail and provide compensation. However, these steps do not fully address the underlying problem of servant coin scarcity and the increased demand for duplicates.
The developers' efforts to appease the community, such as offering 40 free pulls, are appreciated but seen by many as a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution. Completionists aiming to fully max out a five-star servant still face the formidable challenge of needing eight duplicates. The community remains skeptical, questioning the follow-through on promises made over the past two years to make servant coins more accessible.
The *Fate/Grand Order* anniversary drama underscores the delicate balance game developers must strike between monetization and player satisfaction. While the immediate uproar may subside with the recent compensations and adjustments, the trust between the developers and the community has been compromised.
To restore this trust, the developers must maintain open lines of communication and genuinely address player concerns. After all, in a game centered around summoning heroic spirits, the spirit of the community is what truly keeps it alive.
If you're not yet part of this vibrant community, consider downloading *Fate/Grand Order* from Google Play. Before you go, don't miss our latest news on *Identity V* bringing back the Phantom Thieves.
