Genshin Devs Express Demoralization Amid Backlash

HoYoverse's president, Liu Wei, recently revealed the significant impact of negative player feedback on the Genshin Impact development team. This article delves into his comments and the challenges the game has faced.

Genshin Devs Overwhelmed by Negative Fan Feedback

Team Remains Dedicated to Improvement and Player Communication

(c) SentientBamboo Liu Wei, in a recent Shanghai event, addressed the "anxiety and confusion" within the Genshin Impact team stemming from intense player criticism over the past year. The period surrounding Lunar New Year 2024 and subsequent updates proved particularly turbulent.

According to a translated recording by SentientBamboo on YouTube, Wei described the negative impact of the feedback: "Over the past year, both the Genshin team and I experienced a lot of anxiety and confusion," he stated. "We truly felt like we went through some really hard times. The criticism was intense, making the entire team feel useless."

These comments followed several controversies, including the 4.4 Lantern Rite event, criticized for its meager rewards (three intertwined fates). Players expressed frustration over perceived underwhelming updates compared to other HoYoverse titles like Honkai: Star Rail, resulting in negative reviews and backlash. Comparisons to Kuro Games' Wuthering Waves, particularly regarding gameplay and character movement, also fueled discontent.

Further criticism arose from Genshin's 4.5 Chronicled Banner's gacha mechanics and concerns about the portrayal of characters inspired by real-world cultures, with accusations of "whitewashing" or misrepresentation.

While visibly emotional, Wei acknowledged these concerns: "Some felt our team was arrogant, ignoring feedback," he said. "But we're gamers too. We felt the same things. We just needed to filter the noise and understand the true player sentiment."

Despite the setbacks, Liu expressed optimism, reiterating the team's commitment to improvement and listening to the community. "We can't meet everyone's expectations," he admitted. "But the past year also brought courage and trust. Let's move forward, leaving the past behind, and create the best possible experience."

In other news, a preview for the Natlan region was recently released, with its official launch scheduled for August 28th.