The Genshin Impact Protests: Why Player Backlash Shouldn't Be Dismissed as Entitlement

The video game industry is no stranger to controversy, but the free-to-play business model has been a longstanding point of contention. Despite its widespread adoption and success, many consumers remain skeptical of this model due to its potential for exploitation. As a result, discussions around free-to-play games often devolve into unproductive debates about their merits, rather than focusing on the specifics of what works and what doesn't. A recent example of this is the backlash against Genshin Impact, a game developed by MiHoYo, which has been at the forefront of the free-to-play market with its gacha-based monetization system. The game's Chinese players recently revolted against the game's poor in-game rewards for the Lunar New Year event, unfollowing the game's social media accounts, review-bombing the game, and even targeting the social media accounts of companies that have partnered with Genshin Impact. The response to this backlash has been largely dismissive, with many labeling the players as 'entitled gamers.' However, this perspective overlooks the fact that the players' dissatisfaction stems from a perceived imbalance in the game's monetization system, rather than a sense of entitlement. MiHoYo's decision to offer a meager reward to players, framed as a 'gift' for their loyalty, was seen as insulting and sparked the backlash. This incident highlights the need for game developers to strike a balance in their monetization strategies, ensuring that players feel valued and rewarded for their engagement, without being exploited. The use of terminology like 'gift' and 'reward' can be misleading, as these offers are ultimately part of the game's marketing and player retention strategy. Players are not obligated to be grateful for these offers, nor should they be criticized for speaking out when they feel that the game's monetization model is unfair. The Genshin Impact controversy serves as a reminder that player feedback is a vital component of the game development process, and that developers must be willing to listen and adapt to their players' concerns in order to create a successful and sustainable game. By examining the specifics of the game's monetization system and the players' responses to it, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between game design, player psychology, and monetization strategies.