HoYoverse President Liu Wei recently shared insights into the emotional toll that intense fan criticism has taken on the Genshin Impact development team over the past year. Continue reading to learn more about his remarks and the challenges the game has faced.

Genshin Impact Team Grapples with Defeat and Feelings of Inadequacy Amid Fan Backlash

Developers Stay Dedicated to Enhancing Genshin and Engaging with Community

(c) SentientBamboo

At a recent Shanghai event, HoYoverse President Liu Wei candidly discussed the "anxiety and uncertainty" that harsh fan feedback has caused the Genshin Impact team over the past year. His comments followed a period of growing discontent among players, particularly surrounding the 2024 Lunar New Year and subsequent updates.

In a speech recorded and translated by the YouTube channel SentientBamboo, Liu revealed the profound impact of fan criticism on the team. "This past year brought significant anxiety and confusion for both the Genshin team and myself," he stated. "We faced tough times, hearing sharp criticism that left our entire project team feeling utterly defeated."

Liu’s remarks followed controversies over Genshin Impact’s recent updates, notably the 4.4 Lantern Rite event. Players expressed disappointment with the event’s rewards, receiving only three intertwined fates, which many deemed insufficient.

Fan frustration grew due to perceived stagnation in updates compared to other HoYoverse titles like Honkai: Star Rail, resulting in negative review bombing. Additionally, comparisons to Kuro Games’ Wuthering Waves fueled debates over gameplay and character movement disparities.

The 4.5 Chronicled Banner’s gacha mechanics further intensified player dissatisfaction, as many found them less appealing than traditional Event Banners. Criticism also arose over the portrayal of characters inspired by real-world cultures, with some fans alleging misrepresentation.

Visibly moved during his speech, Liu addressed these concerns thoughtfully. "Some believe our team is arrogant and dismissive," he said. "But like [presenter] Aquaria noted, we’re gamers too, sharing the same passions. The overwhelming criticism was hard to process, but we’re focused on hearing our Travelers’ true voices."

Despite the setbacks, Liu remained optimistic about Genshin Impact’s future, pledging to improve the game and strengthen ties with the community. "We know we haven’t met everyone’s expectations yet. But after this year’s challenges, the courage and trust from our Travelers inspire us. Moving forward, I hope the Genshin team and players can focus on creating the best experience together."

In related news, a teaser for the upcoming Natlan region was recently shared on Genshin Impact’s official account, offering a glimpse of the new area set to launch on August 28.