HoYoverse's Genshin Impact: A Year of Backlash and the Dev Team's Response
HoYoverse president Liu Wei recently shared the significant impact of negative player feedback on the Genshin Impact development team. The past year, he revealed, was marked by "anxiety and confusion," with intense criticism leaving the team feeling "useless." This candid admission follows a period of growing player dissatisfaction, particularly around the Lunar New Year 2024 updates.
The criticism stemmed from several controversies. Disappointment over meager rewards in the 4.4 Lantern Rite event, perceived insufficient updates compared to other HoYoverse titles (like Honkai: Star Rail), and unfavorable gacha mechanics in the 4.5 Chronicled Banner all contributed to a surge of negative reviews. Furthermore, concerns were raised about the representation of characters inspired by real-world cultures.
Wei, visibly emotional during his address, acknowledged these concerns and the perception of developer arrogance. He emphasized the team's shared gamer identity and the overwhelming nature of the negative feedback, stating a need to filter and understand genuine player concerns.
Despite the challenges, Wei expressed optimism and the team's unwavering commitment to improvement and community engagement. He acknowledged the inability to meet every player's expectations but highlighted the renewed courage and trust gained from the player base. He concluded with a call for both the team and players to move forward, collaboratively creating the best possible experience.
The statement comes alongside the recent preview of Natlan, the game's upcoming region, scheduled for release on August 28th. This release aims to mark a fresh start and a renewed focus on player satisfaction.
[Image: Screenshot of Genshin Impact backlash news] [Image: Screenshot of Genshin Impact backlash news] [Image: Screenshot of Genshin Impact backlash news]
[YouTube Embed: SentientBamboo's translation of Liu Wei's speech] [YouTube Embed: Additional relevant video]
