NetEase’s Destiny: Rising Gears Up for Closed Beta With Controversial Monetization Offers

NetEase is preparing to launch the closed beta for its new mobile shooter, Destiny: Rising, starting May 29th exclusively for Android users in North America. While the beta aims to gather player feedback and optimize gameplay, it’s quickly drawing attention due to its early monetization strategy, blurring the line between a true test phase and a soft launch.

Destiny: Rising and Its Bold Rebate System

Unlike typical betas that focus on testing game mechanics, Destiny: Rising introduces a cash shop rebate system that rewards players who spend real money during the beta phase. Players who purchase 18,000 silver, the in-game currency, will receive a hefty 150% rebate on that amount when the game officially launches. Additional silver bought above that threshold will earn a 120% rebate. For instance, buying 20,000 silver nets players 29,400 silver in total at launch due to the rebate structure.

The rebate incentive doesn’t stop there. Hitting certain spending milestones unlocks exclusive in-game rewards such as rare emotes, weapon skins, and character outfits, all delivered after the official release. However, this offer requires account binding and the rebates must be redeemed by a single character within 90 days of launch, limiting flexibility for players.

This aggressive monetization approach has sparked debate in the community. Critics argue that requiring financial investment during what is marketed as a beta test undermines the traditional purpose of such phases — to test and improve gameplay without pressure to spend. Meanwhile, others see it as a savvy business move targeting dedicated players who are willing to invest early for future benefits.

As Destiny: Rising moves closer to full launch, players and observers will be watching closely to see if the game balances its gameplay innovations with a fair and player-friendly monetization model.