Deconstruction of Genshin Impact

Developer: HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo)
Release: 2020
Platforms: PC, PlayStation, Mobile
Genre: Open-world Action RPG, Gacha

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1. World & Core Concept

Genshin Impact is built around free exploration in the fantasy world of Teyvat, which is divided into nations inspired by real-world cultures (e.g., Mondstadt/Germany, Liyue/China, Inazuma/Japan, etc.).

• Narrative goal: Find your lost twin and uncover the secrets of the Archons (elemental gods).
• Design goal: Encourage players to explore, collect, and optimize.

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2. Gameplay & Core Loop

Core Loop

1. Explore the open world
2. Fight using dynamic combat and elemental combos
3. Collect resources, chests, and characters
4. Strengthen characters, weapons, and artifacts
5. Repeat activities (domains, bosses, events)

Combat

• The player controls a team of four characters and can switch between them in real time.
• Seven elements (Pyro, Hydro, Electro, etc.) interact to create combined reactions, adding tactical depth.

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3. Progression Mechanics & Monetization

Genshin Impact’s progression systems are carefully layered to keep players engaged over long periods.
They’re technically free to access, but many are time-gated or accelerated through monetization, creating a soft pressure loop.

3.1 Adventure Rank (AR)

Adventure Rank is the player’s overall progression in the game.

• Unlocks regions, quests, features, and world level increases.
• Progressed through exploration, daily activities, quests, and events.
• Determines difficulty scaling and late-game access.

🪙 Monetization:

• While AR cannot be directly purchased, stronger premium characters and weapons make farming faster and smoother.

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3.2 Character Leveling & Ascension

Characters level up and ascend to unlock new skills and stats.

• Requires specific boss and regional materials.
• Unlocks talents and passives at each ascension.

🪙 Monetization:

• Many of the most powerful characters come from gacha banners.
• Premium characters make leveling and progression more impactful.

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3.3 Weapon Leveling & Refinement

Weapons have their own upgrade paths.

• Leveling improves base stats.
• Refinement boosts effects by merging duplicates.

🪙 Monetization:

• 5★ weapons are available mainly through weapon banners.
• Refining premium weapons often requires multiple pulls.

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3.4 Artifact Farming & Optimization

Artifacts are at the heart of build customization.

• Five slots per character with randomized stats.
• High-end optimization is a long-term grind.

🪙 Monetization:

• No direct artifact purchase.
• Resin refreshes with Primogems allow players to farm more efficiently.

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3.5 Talents & Skill Upgrades

Talents define the strength and playstyle of a character.

• Upgraded with talent books, mora, and boss drops.
• Weekly materials limit how quickly players can max them.

🪙 Monetization:

• Resin refreshes accelerate material farming.
• Premium characters often justify greater investment in talents.

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3.6 World Level & Enemy Scaling

World Level adjusts overall difficulty and reward quality.

• Increases automatically with Adventure Rank.
• Can be lowered temporarily.

🪙 Monetization:

• Premium characters and weapons help players handle tougher enemies more easily.

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3.7 Resin System (Daily Energy)

Resin is the main time gate of the game.

• Needed to claim rewards from domains, bosses, and ley lines.
• Regenerates slowly or can be restored with premium currency.

🪙 Monetization:

• Fragile Resin and Primogems can be used to instantly refresh energy, making it one of the most direct monetization systems in the game.

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3.8 Daily Commissions & Battle Pass

• Daily Commissions are short quests granting Primogems and AR EXP.
• The Battle Pass offers extra objectives and tiered rewards.

🪙 Monetization:

• Battle Pass Premium track provides exclusive 4★ weapons and extra resources for paying players.

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3.9 Events & Time-Limited Content

Events are frequent and varied, often tied to major updates.

• Offer unique gameplay modes and limited currencies.
• Provide generous rewards for active participation.

🪙 Monetization:

• Events often overlap with limited character banners, increasing pressure to pull.
• Premium characters can make event completion easier.

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3.10 Spiral Abyss (Endgame Challenge)

Spiral Abyss is the primary endgame content.

• Fixed floors, increasing difficulty, timed runs.
• Rewards Primogems, mora, and rare materials.

🪙 Monetization:

• Strong premium teams make clearing high floors much easier.
• Abyss rewards can fuel more gacha pulls, closing the monetization loop.