Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact was announced in June 2019, with a release target of 2020, on both Windows and iOS - the reveal trailer showed an open world heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in terms of presentation and gameplay. A beta test was to be run at the end of June.[2][3]

At Sony's ChinaJoy 2019 event the game was announced as also being published for PlayStation 4.[4] A Nintendo Switch version was announced on January 13, 2020 via press release.

Despite being localised in 12 different languages (as well as both Simplified and Traditional Chinese), the localisation effort on Genshin Impact is more pronounced in Chinese, Japanese and Korean as the dialogues are all voiced into those 3 languages. Possibly because of the international reach of Japanese media and the fact that miHoYo was founded by Japanese anime fans, only Japanese voices are proposed to languages other than those 3.

Moreover, Genshin Impact takes a different title in Chinese, Japanese and Korean, simply shorten to the first word of the international title i.e. Yuánshén 原神 in Chinese, Genshin 原神 in Japanese and Wonsin 원신 in Korean. The different pronouciations simply reflect the local way of pronouncing the original Chinese title, which literally means Primordial Gods.

In a world called Teyvat, certain individuals chosen by the gods are given a Vision — magical gemstones that give their bearers the ability to control an element. The player starts out as a Traveler of unknown origin who is searching for a lost sibling. The player can choose between a male or female version of the Traveler. As the adventure progresses, the player controls several other characters met by the Traveler on their journey, each with unique personalities and special abilities, as they undertake quests to understand the truth about the primordial gods of this world.[5]

The game features an open-world map, which the player explores by walking, climbing, swimming and gliding as necessary. Many objects and places of significance are spread throughout the map.[6] Players can control up to four of their characters at any one time. By completing quests to advance the story, the player is able to unlock a total of 30 playable characters. Also, Genshin Impact is a multiplayer video game.[7] Genshin impact will feature crossplay options.[8]

Each character has two unique combat skills: a normal and a special skill. The normal skill can be used at any time except for the cooldown period immediately after use, while the special skill has an energy cost, requiring the user to amass sufficient elemental energy first.[9][10]

Characters have control over one of seven natural elements: Cryo, Dendro, Pyro, Hydro, Anemo, Electro and Geo.[11]

Cooking is another significant aspect of Genshin Impact's gameplay. Players gather many resources in the course of their adventure, some of which can be turned into dishes via cooking. Some dishes regenerate characters' health, while others boost attack or defensive abilities.[12]

miHoYo announced work on a new project using the Unity development platform at the end of January 2017, three months after the initial release of Honkai Impact 3rd. The company stated its intention for the new project was to strengthen the company's R&D capabilities and produce higher-quality games. The project in question was Genshin Impact.

The game's developers have cited The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the Grand Theft Auto series among their influences. They sought to create a game that was distinct from Honkai Impact 3rd in terms of its quest and combat systems as well as its random events and mode of exploration.[13]

The Chinese version of the game features audio dialogue in Chinese, while the Japanese version notably features Japanese audio dialogue by many top Japanese voice artists, including Rie Tanaka.[14][15]

Genshin Impact support 10 different languages, including: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, French, Russian, Vietnamese and Thai.[16]

Musicians and staff of HOYO-MiX and the London Philharmonic Orchestra created the music for Genshin Impact.[17]

During the Tokyo Game Show in 2019, miHoYo released a promotional video for the Japanese voice acting in Genshin Impact. The video revealed several of the game's characters and their corresponding voice artists.

Traveler (male), voiced by Shun Horie (Japanese)

Traveler (female), voiced by Aoi Yūki (Japanese)

Jean, voiced by Chiwa Saitō (Japanese), the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius.

Amber, voiced by Manaka Iwami (Japanese), a perky, straightforward girl, who is an Outrider of the Knights of Favonius. Her mastery of the glider has made her a three-time winner of the Gliding Championship in Mondstadt.

Lisa, voiced by Rie Tanaka (Japanese), an erudite witch much enamored with getting plenty of high-quality sleep, Lisa is the Librarian of the Knights of Favonius.

Kaeya, voiced by Kōsuke Toriumi (Japanese), Jean's most trusted aide in the organization. His quick wit and keen sense of humour has greatly endeared him to the residents of Mondstadt.

Barbara, voiced by Akari Kitō (Japanese), the Deaconess of the Knights of Favonius and a shining starlet adored by all.

Diluc, voiced by Kenshō Ono (Japanese), the most well-to-do man in Mondstadt, as can be deduced from his refined and graceful demeanor. At the same time, he believes fiercely in the duty to defend Mondstadt at all costs — something that makes him a ruthless and terrifying force on the battlefield.[18]

Venti, voiced by Ayumu Murase (Japanese)

Paimon, voiced by Aoi Koga (Japanese)

Razor, voiced by Kōki Uchiyama (Japanese)

Xiangling, voiced by Ari Ozawa (Japanese)

Kamisato Ayaka, voiced by Saori Hayami (Japanese)[15]

In 2020, miHoYo revealed more characters.

Fischl, a mysterious girl who calls herself "Prinzessin der Verurteilung" and travels with a night raven named Oz.

Bennett, the only active member of his own adventure group, known as "Benny´s Adventure Team".

Noelle, She always dreamed of being a knight of Favonius when she grew up.[19]

Chongyun, An exorcist who roams the land with Liyue as his base of operations, evil spirits fleeing wherever he goes.[20]

miHoYo publishes an official Genshin Impact manga series, which is hosted on sites including Crunchyroll,[21] Tapas[22] and Webtoon.[23] The series started in 2018, before the game itself was published.

miHoYo discussed Genshin Impact in an interview with Chinese TV station Dragon Television in January 2019. The interview was featured in the station's Primetime News program.[24]

Genshin Impact was first shown to the public in June 2019 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles.[25]

The first trailer for Genshin Impact was released on June 8, 2019.[26]

The first closed beta testing for Genshin Impact commenced on June 21, 2019.[27]

At ChinaJoy 2019, miHoYo announced that Genshin Impact will be made available for the PlayStation 4 console in 2020.[28]

A trailer for Genshin Impact with Japanese audio was shown to audiences at the Tokyo Game Show in September 2019.[29]

Multiple language versions of the Genshin Impact website went live in September 2019.

MiHoYo announced the registration for the Genshin Impact final closed beta in May 2020.[30]

MiHoYo announced that the Final Closed Beta recruitment is in progress since 15 May 2020, and will end on 19 June 12:00 (GMT+8).[31]

MiHoYo announced that the Global Final Closed Beta for Genshin Impact is set to begin in July 2020.[32]

• genshin.mihoyo.com (official website)
• www.yuanshen.com (official Chinese website)