Petit Planet Opens 30,000 Test Slots, Rethinking Gacha Lists
HoYoverse's Petit Planet opened a 30,000-slot limited paid test on September 20 and targets a winter 2026 launch, betting on AI-driven NPC social design instead of a new character banner.
g it take over a job that used to belong to people — social icebreaking. Ruifu's value is not that she seems more human; it is that she does the thing players least want to do themselves, which is speak first. Whether that holds at three million players instead of thirty thousand is the next question.
七、FAQ
When does Petit Planet launch?
The global launch window is winter 2026, covering PC, iOS and Android. The current Connection Test opened on September 20 and is limited, data-wiping and paid.
Can I still get a Petit Planet test slot?
Slots were capped at 30,000 and distributed first-come from 10 a.m. on September 19. Qualified players can invite friends after completing tasks; others can bind an invitation code to swap for a slot.
How is Petit Planet different from Animal Crossing?
36Kr's read is that it is polished but does not break out of HoYoverse's usual design logic; the genuine differentiator is AI-driven NPC interaction and stranger-to-stranger social systems.
八、Your call
Would you stay for an AI neighbour, or would you rather HoYoverse spent that effort on a new banner? Come discuss in the Gghubs comments.