Exploring Teyvat Beyond the Gacha

The term “Gacha” can be relatively new to a majority – but not for those who have at least some roots in the gaming field. While Japan is where its origin lies, the way it paved through games is, well…at some point, it all comes down to “money-making.” But hear me out- have you ever experienced a gameplay where you can freely run as the wind, glide as a bird, and even dive as mermaids do? And all of these come with super amazing visuals and animation? The scenery, the characters, and most importantly the deep lore that carries the game forward? And not to mention how much fun you can get joining your friends in-game!  What if I say you can get all this experience just from a single game? That’s right, the “big monster of the Gacha game industry” Genshin Impact is just what you need to play! If you think that’s an exaggeration, it is, in fact not. The success of Genshin Impact popularized the Gacha game culture globally. Mind you, this game is almost five years old and still going strong, with 60+ million active players worldwide (pretty self explanatory given that the game is a free to play AAA game).

I was first introduced to this game through my friend. I don’t quite remember how it started, but before long, I was watching FMVs (fan-made videos) and making Pinterest boards. I wasn’t quite yet sure if I would really start playing the game as I lacked a good device after all. The game is available on both Mobile and PC (also on PS5 and Xbox), but with my 10-year-old laptop, I knew I was calling for trouble. However, buying a new phone after a short while allowed me to get into the game. And man, thus the mighty obsession began! Genshin Impact happened to be my first gaming experience. I did have trouble during the initial days trying to get used to the mechanics and almost gave up when I couldn’t meet my glorious king, Kaeya Alberich, at the Temple of the Wolf ‘cause I kept getting killed by a group of Hilichurls! Thinking back on those times, oh, how hard the nostalgia hits. Waking up at 3 am to play the game and falling into a trance with the enchanting Dream Aria playing until the game loads up, the playful tune welcoming while getting you ready to explore Monstadt…it really has been a long journey until now. Even after almost three years, I still can’t believe that we get to play this game for free! Exploring nations, fighting for Treasure chests, solving puzzles and clearing out Domains have now become a routine of my life. While I still suck at building my characters ( “skill issue” according to my good friend) I enjoy every second that I spend playing this game. Since the game is frequently being updated, there’s always something to do, through which we also get “generously” rewarded. Well, now let’s be real, no matter how much we receive in-game currency when your favourite characters appear on the banner, it is never enough! So, do your pulls responsibly children (I’m not the one to talk though). I can go on talking about Genshin Impact for hours, but I will restrain myself here ‘cause if any one of you happens to read this and feels like trying it out, then I should not spoil you by spilling everything. My goal set for this time is to somehow get The Wanderer when his banner reruns, which means I will have to invest and farm in-game currency so I can finally get him. And it also seems like one of my all-time favourite characters, Il Dottore, is going to have his spotlight soon, so I can hardly retain my excitement!

So, this was basically just me writing about my obsession with Genshin Impact. The world of Teyvat and its inhabitants – Gods and humans alike have always provided me with the comfort I always crave for. I hope it will be the same for you. Let me leap ahead of time and welcome you all to the beauty and the mysteries of Teyvat! 

-Rtr. Chamodi Peduruarachchi