Genshin Backlash Cause Devs to Feel Defeated and \"Useless\"

HoYoverse President Liu Wei's Emotional Address on Genshin Impact Backlash

HoYoverse President Liu Wei recently shared the significant impact of negative player feedback on the Genshin Impact development team. His candid remarks, captured and translated by SentientBamboo on YouTube, reveal a period of intense pressure and self-doubt following a surge in player dissatisfaction, particularly around the Lunar New Year 2024 updates.

Wei described the team's experience as one of "anxiety and confusion," stating that the overwhelming criticism made them feel "useless." This sentiment stemmed from a series of controversies, including the perceived inadequacy of the 4.4 Lantern Rite event rewards (three intertwined fates), a perceived lack of substantial updates compared to other HoYoverse titles like Honkai: Star Rail, and unfavorable gacha mechanics in the 4.5 Chronicled Banner. Further fueling the discontent were criticisms regarding the portrayal of characters inspired by real-world cultures.

While acknowledging the team's initial struggles to process the criticism, Wei emphasized that the developers are gamers themselves and understand the players' feelings. He stressed the need to filter through the noise and identify genuine player concerns. He expressed visible emotion during his speech, acknowledging accusations of arrogance but affirming the team's commitment to listening and improving.

Looking ahead, Wei expressed hope and gratitude for the continued support of the player base, promising a renewed focus on creating a better player experience. He urged both the team and the players to move forward, leaving past frustrations behind.

The announcement follows a recent preview teaser for the upcoming Natlan region, slated for release on August 28th.