Following the latest developer livestream, HoYoverse CEO Liu Wei made a surprise appearance to address the negative feedback from Genshin Impact fans that has permeated since the Lunar New Year in 2024. While Genshin Impact has occasionally seen a tense relationship between players and its development team, many believe the controversy has never been as pervasive as it was in Version 4.4 and beyond.
The Lantern Rite controversy in Genshin Impact came as a conjunction of several factors. Genshin Impact players were becoming increasingly bitter by the generosity shown in other HoYoverse games, such as the free character Dr. Ratio in Honkai: Star Rail, with many seeing the anniversary rewards in Genshin Impact as lacking by comparison. The Chronicled Banner in Version 4.5 also caught the community's ire, with its gacha mechanics unfavorable compared to the Event Banners of Genshin Impact. Lastly, the overall direction of Natlan received ample criticism from disgruntled players, who felt that the developers were "whitewashing" characters inspired by real life cultures based on Latin America, West Africa, and Oceania.
Genshin Impact celebrates its fourth anniversary by gifting players lots of Primogems and other special rewards during Version 5.0.
According to HoYoverse president Liu Wei, these...
