What is a gacha machine?
It is the surprise toy machine you find in Japanese shops, known as gacha or gachapon: you put in a coin, turn the crank (the “gacha”) and a capsule drops into the tray (the “pon”). You do not know what you got until you open it.
Here you fill it yourself: every name, prize or task you add goes into a capsule of its own colour. Turn the crank, one drops at random, it opens and out comes the slip with what you got.
What can you use it for?
- Giving out prizes one by one at a raffle, a party or in class.
- Assigning chores at home or at work without arguments.
- Drawing an order: with “No repeats”, each capsule comes out only once.
- Challenges and plans: fill the machine with ideas and let it choose.
How does it work?
When you turn the crank, the page picks one of the capsules left in the machine with the browser’s cryptographic generator, before the animation starts. They all have the same probability. Then you see it drop through the hole, land in the tray and open.
With “No repeats” on, the capsule that comes out does not go back: it is crossed out in the list and the machine slowly empties. When it runs out, the button refills it. If you turn it off, every capsule goes back into the machine after it opens.
Ideas to fill the machine
- Small prizes: a sweet, choosing the film, skipping the dishes.
- Icebreaker questions for a meeting.
- Weekend plans or places to eat out.
- Exercises or topics to review in class.
Frequently asked questions
Do all capsules have the same chance?
Yes. The page picks among the capsules left in the machine with the browser’s cryptographic generator, and they all have equal odds.
What does “No repeats” do?
The capsule that comes out does not go back into the machine: it is crossed out in the list and the next one comes from those left. When it is empty, you can refill it with one tap.
How many capsules fit?
Up to 40. The more you add, the smaller they look inside the machine.
Can I use prizes or tasks instead of names?
Yes. Each capsule holds a short text: a name, a prize, a task, a challenge or anything you want to draw.
Do I have to pay or insert coins?
No. It is free, needs no sign-up and there are no purchases or money involved.
Is the list saved?
Yes, in your browser: the names stay even if you close the page, and they also show up in the other list games. Nothing is sent to any server.
What is a gacha machine?
It is the capsule toy machine you find in shops: you put in a coin, turn the crank and a capsule with a toy drops out. The name comes from Japan, from the sound of the crank. This one works the same way, but free and with whatever you put inside.
Can I use it to give out prizes or gifts?
Yes. Write a prize or a name on each capsule and let the machine hand them out. With “No repeats”, each capsule comes out only once, so it works for sharing out gifts, chores or turns.
Related guides
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- How to run a fair Instagram giveaway — A step by step to make your giveaway clean and seen to be clean: collecting entrants, picking at random, recording it as proof and handling backups.