Genshin Impact is a fairly new game that everybody seems to be talking about. The biggest appeal, as far as I can tell, is in the game’s similarities to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Being able to climb anywhere is definitely something I’m on board with, but here it just seems to make for a much more enjoyable experience. Whilst the game is still gaining traction, it’s already got some ridiculous stats. We need to talk about them.
As reported by IGN, this game has been downloaded 17 million times on mobile devices alone. That was in the first four days it was available as well. Analysts estimated that the game earned about $50 million in that period, which is absolutely insane. It’s hard to quantify the amount per user, because not everyone is going to put money into the game. What’s very easy to see from these numbers though, is the fact that it’s clearly enjoyable, particularly as a free-to-play online game.
I think that the main thing that makes the game so appealing is that it’s got all the qualities of an MMO, but it’s built for PvE. In a way it’s the ideal game for those who enjoy playing MMOs without actually playing with or against others. I personally hate it when there’s a raid and you have to team up with others just to get the best gear. A game like this is a bit of a dream come true for me.
However, Genshin Impact definitely has a paywall. It’s different for different players, but there’s certainly a point you hit where it feels like you should be putting money into the game just to make it through a but further. Many online games have this, and it’s actually a good thing in many ways. If a developer is offering a game for free, it’s only fair that you pay them something if you put 100 hours into it.
After this initial bump, I can’t wait to see how the PlayStation 4 sales have impacted Genshin Impact. I think there are going to be way more players, especially judging by the sheer number of screenshots being shared around social media.