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THE JOURNAL
What Artache makes and thinks: devlogs, studio notes, and the road that led to TZERØ. With AI. By People.


1.2 FREE S-Rank Selector: Best Pick? | Neverness to Everness
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. I break down the free S-Rank standard character selection box from Neverness to Everness patch 1.2 and go character-by-character to help low spenders and F2P players choose the right base S-rank for their teams. I cover Daffodill’s hybrid DPS and break-focused utility, Jiuyuan’s Anima sub-DPS and blossom synergy, Hathor’s Lakshana Remora support, Fadia’s str

Nero Atlas
Jul 101 min read


Breaking the Habit, With Hoyoverse and YouTube
After years of focusing on Hoyoverse gacha games, I realized the constant pace and pressure were no longer for me. I’ve decided to end my experience and unlist the entire YouTube channel, choosing freedom and creativity over relentless optimization and spending.

Nero Atlas
Feb 55 min read
A Radical Decision Changes My Life and The Journal
A few days ago I took a decision that radically changed the way I live life: I decided to quit all gacha games. I deleted my Hoyoverse account - something I'd like to talk in more detail in another post - and continued removing anything that had a gacha in it. To start fresh, and see how it feels. And it feels awesome. What Made Me Change Everything What moved me to take a decision was the realization that I couldn't play games anymore. I know it sounds fun, and not so seriou

Nero Atlas
Jan 31, 20258 min read


S Verthandi Event Made Easy! Get an S-Rank Character for Free! | Aether Gazer
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. In today's video, I discuss S Verthandi, the new version of the protagonist in Aether Gazer. I provide a comprehensive guide on how to obtain and play this character, covering details about accessing early and permanent content, using the banners for character pulls, and unlocking the character through the Potential Awakened mode. I go step-by-step through t

Nero Atlas
Dec 27, 20241 min read


New Gacha Rates & Ninetales Legendary Skin | Pokémon Unite
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Hey everyone! In today's video, we'll dive into the latest updates on gacha rates, including changes that affect your chances of getting grade 4 items. We'll also discuss the new Ninetales skins in Pokémon Unite, including their costs and visual effects. I share my calculations on the average spend you might expect and explore whether the skins are worth it.

Nero Atlas
Nov 27, 20241 min read


Start With Your Favorite Element Now! (Nov 2024 Anniversary) | Aether Gazer
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. In this video, I'll guide you through starting Aether Gazer, a fantastic game by Yongshi and Yostar, creators of Arknights. Discover the best characters and team compositions for each element, including fire, ice, thunder, wind, light, water, and shadow. Learn about special giveaways, how to pull guaranteed characters, and optimize your gameplay. If you have

Nero Atlas
Nov 27, 20241 min read


Should You Pull? Rappa | Honkai Star Rail
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of gacha pulls, starting with an in-depth review and analysis of the controversial new character, Rappa. I break down her abilities, showcase animations, and explore her potential in various team compositions, comparing her with other characters and suggesting the best relics and light cone options. Additionally,

Nero Atlas
Oct 25, 20241 min read


Halloweeen Rewards! F2P & P2W | Pokémon Unite
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Join me, Nero Atlas, as I delve into Pokémon Unite's latest Halloween reward cycle and new patch details. Learn how to redeem the gift code 'pokeween24' and get your rewards efficiently. I'll also provide my top recommendations for selecting licenses like Zoroark, Mimikyu, and more. Discover best practices for the treasure chest challenge and get insights on

Nero Atlas
Oct 18, 20241 min read


TICKETS EXPIRE!! | Pokémon Unite
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Relevant references: Pokémon Unite Mathcord: https://discord.gg/NEusrgUATR In this urgent Pokémon Unite update, I discuss important information for players collecting tickets for skins. Contrary to expectations, these tickets won't transfer to the next banner and will expire soon. With high costs involved, I advise players to check their progress and avoid i

Nero Atlas
Oct 13, 20241 min read


Sensor Tower Gacha Revenue Analysis: September 2024
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. In this video, I explore the latest Sensor Tower market analysis for gacha games comparing September and August 2024 earnings. Honkai: Star Rail tops the list with significant gains, while Love and Deep Space surprises by capturing the Chinese market. Notable mentions include Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, both performing well. However, games like Wut

Nero Atlas
Oct 7, 20241 min read


How to Best Spend Gems | Pokémon Unite
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. In this video, I dive deep into Pokémon Unite's gacha mechanics and how to effectively manage your resources, whether you're a free-to-play player or a spender. Inspired by a viewer's comment, I discuss the importance of understanding probability and finance in the game and provide a comprehensive guide using tables and calculations to help you make informed

Nero Atlas
Oct 6, 20241 min read


Back to Gacha & My Mistakes With HSR
In this video, I review my own gaming account and discuss the consequences of my spending habits in gacha games. I reflect on the decisions I made, such as spending money on character talents and light cones, and how it impacted my in-game experience and finances. I share my realization of falling into the slippery slope of spending, the temporary satisfaction it brought, and the regret that followed. I am committed to moving forward with a healthier approach by limiting my p

Nero Atlas
Oct 4, 20241 min read


Why I *Thought* I'd Quit Gacha Games
In this unscripted video, I share my candid thoughts and emotions about a monumental decision to leave gacha games behind. I discuss how managing multiple games like Honkai Star Rail, Genshin Impact, and Sword of Convallaria was consuming my life and resources. Realizing the negative impact on my mental health, I've decided to explore other gaming genres and focus on what truly makes me happy. Join me in this new chapter, and let's continue sharing our experiences and passion

Nero Atlas
Oct 1, 20241 min read


2.5 Banners Tierlist | Honkai Star Rail
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. In this video, I break down the upcoming Patch 2.5, which features an 8-folded banner including 4 characters and 4 Light Cones in the first part, with another 2 characters and 2 Light Cones in the second part. I discuss the priority of these additions for both FUA and DoT team compositions, evaluating characters like Feixiao, Robin, Kafka, and more. I'll giv

Nero Atlas
Sep 9, 20241 min read


Pulling for Edda, and going ALL IN | Sword of Convallaria
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Join me in this intense gacha session where I go all out for Edda! I love her fantasy-themed design and strong support skills. Watch as I navigate through my pulls and share my reactions along the way. Will my perseverance pay off? Tune in to find out!

Nero Atlas
Aug 24, 20241 min read


Zhu Yuan - Last Minute Impressions | Zenless Zone Zero
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Join me as I share my final thoughts on Zhu Yuan just before the banner resets in 8 hours and 8 minutes. I'll discuss her accessibility for fast team creation, her role as a burst DPS, and her synergy with other characters like Nicole. Should you pull for her? I'll weigh the pros and cons, and talk about the challenges of saving resources for future characte

Nero Atlas
Aug 12, 20241 min read


Quick Reroll Guide | Sword of Convallaria
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Hey everyone! In this video, I cover the newly released game, Sword of Convallaria, which came out on August 1st. As a huge fan of games like Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, I share my passion and tips for starting strong. Learn how to get a legendary character in just 30 rolls and avoid duplicates of starting characters. I guide you through the proce

Nero Atlas
Aug 3, 20241 min read


Last Minute Focus: Yinlin & Weapon Banners | Wuthering Waves
Inside the Loop: I made this while I was caught in the gacha loop. It stays up as a record of that time, not as advice. Should you pull for Yinlin or her weapon, Absolute Pulsation? Find out in this last-minute video! This is your last chance for those banners!

Nero Atlas
Jun 25, 20241 min read


"Spending Rationally", Episode 2: Battle Passes
Focusing on completing a Battle Pass can create a sense of FOMO and reinforce harmful spending habits. Consider setting a one-time budget.

Nero Atlas
May 12, 20234 min read


"Spend Rationally": The Hidden Costs of Gacha Game Subscriptions
With the release of Honkai: Star Rail, I've been thinking about "spending rationally", as they say in the game. So, I came up with a strategy. A gacha game is, first, a game. Hence, I want to support it and spend about the same amount I'd like to spend on any other game. Which is something between 1€ and 70€. But a gacha game is a F2P game with in-app purchases. Is there a way to make it work? Part 1: "A Reasonable Strategy?" This is what I came up with: Evaluate the game for

Nero Atlas
May 9, 20235 min read
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