Genshin Impact
The open-world gacha phenomenon from Chinese studio HoYoverse.
- Release
- September 2020
- Developer
- HoYoverse (miHoYo)
- Origin
- Shanghai, China
- Model
- Free-to-play with gacha system
- Genre
- Open-world action RPG
Genshin Impact is an open-world action game developed and published by HoYoverse (miHoYo), a Chinese studio based in Shanghai. Launched in September 2020 on PC, mobile and consoles, it offers a vast world called Teyvat, explored by a group of characters with elemental powers.
The game is free to play and relies on a gacha system, in which players can obtain new characters and weapons through random draws. This model, combined with regular updates and a carefully crafted world, made Genshin Impact one of the most profitable free-to-play games of its generation.
A Chinese studio on the world stage
miHoYo, founded in Shanghai in 2012, first became known for mobile games before aiming at an international audience. With Genshin Impact, the studio delivered a title available simultaneously on several platforms and translated into many languages, with voice acting in multiple versions.
The game's worldwide success illustrates the rise of the Chinese video game industry, able to compete with major international productions in both technical quality and artistic direction.
The gacha model in focus
The economic core of Genshin Impact rests on gacha, a system of paid random draws inspired by Japanese capsule machines. Players can progress without paying, but purchases speed up the acquisition of rare characters.
This model has fuelled debate about spending in free-to-play games, while generating considerable revenue. Thanks to updates that regularly add regions, characters and stories, Genshin Impact has retained a very large community around the world.
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