[Mobile Games] "It could create too much anxiety in the players": It was the most controversial phrase from the creators of Genshin Impact, but it has a very simple explanation

[#Steeven.™]

Cultural differences between HoYoverse and the community generated unprecedented controversy.

Genshin Impact became the first major worldwide success from a Chinese developer. A video game that broke revenue records shortly after its release and that almost three years later is still in top form. Players are not only waiting for the next news that will come to the title, but also for any announcement about the future of HoYoverse. A developer that already boasts fame all over the planet. However, there is something that has become clear in these almost three years. They were not prepared for a triumph of such dimensions. It's not a particularly bad thing because, to be honest, these things can only be learned as you go.

The day the whole world hated the creators of Genshin Impact
Just a few months ago, one of the most controversial episodes in video game history took place and the fault lay with a single sentence. Since the launch of Genshin Impact there have always been tensions regarding the content available in the game and, above all, its nature. HoYoverse has focused all of its efforts on adventure, exploration, and events. However, the game has a whole system to increase the combat power of the characters. This is a facet that a part of the community likes a lot. Above all, it is important for players who are keeping up with the main story and want to get the best artifacts or level up talents to get the most out of battles.

The problem with this way of understanding Genshin Impact is that the game does not offer real motivations for us to focus on this way of playing. We can spend months trying to get our characters to offer their true 100% in battles. However, there is no postgame alternative demanding enough to take advantage of it. It is true that we have the Spiral of the Abyss at our disposal, but completing the twelve floors with all their stars does not require an excessive level of characters. Also, this challenge only refreshes once every fortnight, so it's not much of an incentive

Last October 2022, the developers of Genshin Impact spoke about this situation in the GameSpot medium. Asked about the possibility of adding more endgame content to complement the Spiral of the Abyss experience, they responded with the following: "Spiral of the Abyss is the most effective way for players to test their team composition and attack strength. combat. Designing another type of permanent endgame similar to Spiral Abyss could create too much anxiety for players. Not everyone is interested in Musk's Reef."

The response from the community, especially around the phrase "could create too much anxiety for players", was tremendous. It was dismissed as a ridiculous plot, pointing out that the game's real anxiety came from its own monetization system, time-limited events, or other aspects of the title generally criticized by Western gamers. It was a massive response from users, opinion leaders, and even those players with little interest in Genshin Impact who took an interest in the topic. It cannot be said that they were not partly right, although there is much more to this story.

The reason behind the most controversial decision of Genshin Impact
Asian companies often have problems communicating with Western players. It's not something unique to HoYoverse and it happens even in the largest and most experienced companies. Niantic is in the throes of a reputation crisis after the changes to Pokémon GO. Nintendo also suffered for years – and still does from time to time – from criticism for its more restrictive policies. This is mostly due to culture shock. Weren't you surprised the first time Genshin Impact gave you Porotogems after server maintenance?

Many games created in Asia, and particularly in the Chinese hinterland, have a monetization system similar to that of Genshin Impact. Players are used to feeling pressured to complete the content of each update to get the rewards, but they don't blame the 'gacha' system as it is understood as the norm. In this sense, the media and opinion leaders in this part of the world gave a very different approach to the idea of this supposed excessive anxiety that could cause players. HoYoverse's words were not understood as something negative. Rather the complete opposite.

Players from certain countries simply don't want more content that might take too long to complete. They prefer somewhat simpler events and simple things, not an overly complicated endgame that can block access to rewards. Play their way without feeling that they are missing something and, precisely, that is the key. Those Protogems lost due to content that does not fit with their way of understanding Genshin Impact are what generates the "excessive anxiety in players" to which those responsible for the video game referred. More than fun, many players would understand it as an obligation.

In January 2023, the developers of Genshin Impact acknowledged in an interview with the Chinese outlet The Paper that "the domestic and international challenges for the video game industry are great" and that they were still "in the process of learning, adjusting and moving towards internationalization. ". It is an extraordinarily complex process. We just have to take a look at the video game itself. Some characters are very po[CENSORED]r in one region and fail in another. For example, Venti is po[CENSORED]r in China but not very interesting for Japanese players. Xiao is hardly liked in Europe, but he does well in other parts of the world.
It is very difficult to design that Raiden Shogun that players from all over the planet like and conquer every territory in which he steps. The problem comes when we go from something optional, like the characters, to the very philosophy of the game. Gacha monetization, poor 'postgame' and many other gameplay design decisions are criticized in the West. However, they are liked or not perceived negatively by most players. This doesn't mean we can't and shouldn't complain, because that's our responsibility as players, but it's interesting to know why developers can make these kinds of decisions. Everything always has an explanation.

 

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