The arrival of *Infinity Nikki* on Steam, following its months-long exclusivity on the Epic Games Store, was supposed to be a celebratory moment for fans. However, the 1.5 update has been anything but smooth sailing. As players eagerly anticipated the update, they encountered a whirlwind of issues that quickly spiraled into a global controversy.
Upon launching on Steam, *Infinity Nikki* players faced numerous technical problems, ranging from crashes that prevented the game from launching to general instability. While technical glitches are common at launch, the dissatisfaction deepened when players discovered the introduction of two new five-star outfits, *Snowbound Ballad* and *Undying Ember*, each requiring a staggering 11 pieces. Collecting these outfits demands significant time—up to 220 pulls—and financial investment, a demand far greater than what players are accustomed to. This sudden change has sparked concerns that future outfits might require even more pieces, creating an increasingly steep barrier for players.
Adding fuel to the fire, Infold extended its *Crown of Miraland: Peak Arena* event to span three weeks instead of the planned two. This abrupt adjustment left the community baffled and frustrated. Coupled with the technical issues and heightened monetization practices, players across the globe, particularly in China, voiced their discontent on social media platforms like RedNote. The sentiment quickly escalated into a full-fledged movement, with calls to boycott *Infinity Nikki* on Steam and other platforms, along with leaving negative reviews and uninstalling the game altogether.
One Reddit user, kiaxxl, initiated a call-to-action urging players to hold off on pulling for a few days. By doing so, players could send a clear message to the developers that they want *Infinity Nikki* to remain enjoyable and fair for everyone. This strategy targets the early days of a new content rollout, which often determines the success metrics for gacha games. A delay in pulls could signal to the developers that players are dissatisfied with the current monetization model.
As a result, *Infinity Nikki* currently holds a “Mixed” rating on Steam, with players leaving scathing reviews warning potential new players to steer clear until grievances are addressed. The backlash grew so intense that Infold issued an official apology, acknowledging the technical issues and promising improvements in communication moving forward. They also announced compensation for affected players, including 10 Revelation Crystals, 10 Resonance Crystals, and 1200 Diamonds. While this gesture was appreciated, many players feel it falls short of addressing the core issues surrounding outfit requirements and drop rates.
Despite the concessions, concerns persist about the studio’s commitment to reducing the number of outfit pieces required. Some players argue that keeping the 11-piece standard could lead to an unsustainable grind for future updates. As one player expressed on Twitter, “I wish you’d finally change the drop rate... It can’t be that I need 200 pulls to get a 5-star, and then you drop like 5 banners within weeks!”
While some players are celebrating the swift response from Infold, others insist on maintaining pressure for further changes. A Reddit user, EdensAsmr, highlighted the potential consequences of accepting the current system, suggesting that future 5-star outfits could consistently require 11 pieces, making it increasingly difficult for players to keep pace.
Despite the challenges, the update is live, and players can look forward to 100 free pulls and new redeemable codes offering rewards such as Resonance Crystals and Diamonds. For those venturing into the new *Sea of Stars* area, an interactive map is available to help track progress with checklists. While the road ahead remains uncertain, the community’s collective voice has undoubtedly influenced Infold’s decisions thus far.
