HoYoverse CEO Liu Wei recently shared the impact of intense player feedback on the Genshin Impact development team. This follows a challenging year marked by significant player dissatisfaction. Read on for details on his comments and the game's recent turbulent period.
Genshin Devs Overwhelmed by Negative Feedback
Team Committed to Improvement and Player Communication
(c) SentientBamboo Liu Wei described the "anxiety and confusion" experienced by the Genshin Impact team in response to harsh criticism. Speaking at a Shanghai event, he reflected on the period of growing player discontent, particularly following the Lunar New Year 2024 updates. His speech, recorded and translated by SentientBamboo on YouTube, revealed the profound effect of negative feedback. He stated the team felt "useless" amidst the intense criticism.
This follows several controversies surrounding recent updates, including the 4.4 Lantern Rite event. Player disappointment over the meager rewards (three intertwined fates) fueled negative reviews and backlash. Comparisons to other HoYoverse titles, like Honkai: Star Rail, and Kuro Games' Wuthering Waves, further exacerbated the situation, highlighting perceived discrepancies in update quality and gameplay mechanics. The 4.5 Chronicled Banner's gacha mechanics also drew criticism, as did concerns about the representation of characters inspired by real-world cultures.
While visibly emotional, Wei acknowledged player concerns, addressing accusations of arrogance. He emphasized the team's shared gamer identity and the need to filter constructive feedback from overwhelming negativity. He expressed hope for the future, reaffirming the team's dedication to improvement and community engagement. He concluded by urging both the team and players to move forward, focusing on creating the best possible gaming experience.
In other news, a preview of the Natlan region was recently released, with its official launch slated for August 28th.
