“I think that this system is very predatory. I think that this systemisgambling,” content created Mtashed says in a recent YouTube video coveringGenshin Impact’s gacha system. After spending thousands on the Chinese game, he’s worried about the viewers who may have worsened their financial situations after being influenced by his videos.
Genshin Impact’s gacha system is a slippery slope. Though it’s completely free-to-play, the main draw of the open-world action-adventure RPG is being rewarded rare five-star characters through Wishing. The game willgive players a small amount of Primogems, which are used to purchase Wishes in-game, as rewards for finishing quests and discovering chests and locations, but it’s only enough to use the gacha a small number of times per week. Because so manyGenshinplayers are longing for the rare four and five-star characters, this results in spending hefty amounts on the gacha game.
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Now Mtashed, a YouTuber and content creator many turn to when asking the question “should I spend money on this Banner,” is openly criticizingGenshin Impact’s gacha systemfor what he feels are predatory practices. After receiving hundreds of messages from fans worried about the YouTuber possibly having a gambling addiction, Mtashed feels that he has developed a problem and further promoting the game is problematic for his viewers.
So far, Mtashed has spentapproximately $7,200 onGenshin Impact’s Wishes. Making content on MiHoYo’s newest game has tripled his average viewership, but even so, he regrets covering the game at all because it has likely led to fans spending large amounts of money they can’t afford onGenshin. After claiming that the game is “crooked,” the YouTuber says he’s going completely free-to-play with a brand new account to promote that kind of gameplay to his audience. Any videos that show off Mtashed Wishing and don’t offer any educational value will be taken down.
Other YouTubers and content creators have been trying to promote the free-to-play message as well. Though ZealsAmbitions has posted videos and streams showing offWishing on Banners such as Klee’s Sparkling Steps, he’s constantly reminding players that four-star characters are more than enough to carry players through late-game content. Though it may be slower,Genshin Impactcan be fully experienced without spending a dime, and Zeals plans on spending much less on the gacha in the future.
Going forward, Mtashed will only use his AR45 account with five-star characters to make quick guides but will “not spend another dollar on this game,” the content creator says. “I am sorry if I ever baited you into Wishing yourself. I do feel guilty about that,” Mtashed says, promising to continue creatingGenshincontent further down the road and still plans to make some educational videos for his audience members who decide to stay with him.
Genshin Impactis available now n Android, iOS, PC, and PS4, with a Switch version also in development.
