HoYoverse CEO Liu Wei recently shared the impact of negative player feedback on the Genshin Impact development team. His comments shed light on a challenging year for the team and the game's tumultuous period.
Genshin Devs Overwhelmed by Negative Feedback
Team Remains Dedicated to Improvement and Player Communication
(c) SentientBamboo Liu Wei described the "anxiety and confusion" caused by intense criticism, particularly following the Lunar New Year 2024 updates. He revealed the significant toll on the team, stating, "We truly felt like we went through some really hard times. We heard a lot of noise, and some of it was really, really sharp, causing our entire project team to feel really useless."
This statement follows several controversies surrounding recent updates, including the 4.4 Lantern Rite event's underwhelming rewards (three intertwined fates) and comparisons to other HoYoverse titles like Honkai: Star Rail. The 4.5 Chronicled Banner's gacha mechanics also drew criticism, as did concerns about the representation of characters inspired by real-world cultures.
Player frustration further intensified due to perceived discrepancies between Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves, particularly regarding gameplay and character movement.
While visibly emotional, Wei acknowledged player concerns, stating, "Some people felt that our project team was really arrogant...But it’s like [presenter] Aquaria said – we’re actually the same as everyone, we are also gamers. We simply heard too much noise." He emphasized the need to filter feedback and understand player sentiment.
Despite the challenges, Wei expressed optimism and the team's commitment to improvement and communication, stating, "I know, even today, we still can't meet everyone's expectations. But...I feel we also received a lot of courage and trust from our Travelers. So from now on...I hope that the entire Genshin team along with all the Genshin players can stop weighing on their pasts and whole-heartedly create the best experience."
In other news, a preview for the Natlan region was recently released, with its launch slated for August 28th.
