Genshin Impact was released on September 28, 2020 on PC (Windows), Android, iOS and PS4.
The version PS5 followed the April 28, 2021, and the Xbox Series X|S was added to the list in November 2024. On Nintendo Switch, no official date has been confirmed as of yet.
When was Genshin Impact released?
Genshin Impact was released on September 28, 2020 on PC (Windows), Android, iOS and PS4.
The version PS5 was added to the list on April 28, 2021, via a free upgrade included in Update 1.5. The Xbox Series X|S followed by November 2024.
It's a action-RPG developed by HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo). You can play it for free on all available platforms.
If you want to get started faster, you can also’buy an account Genshin Impact has already made progress.
The adventure takes place in the world of Teyvat, consisting of 7 nations. Each one is inspired by a real culture and is ruled by a god named Archon. It explores regions such as Inazuma, Sumeru, Natlan or Snezhnaya, the land of ice.
You embody the Voyageur, a hero separated from his twin at Teyvat. Accompanied by Paimon, he sets out to find him while getting involved in the affairs of various nations. The missing twin is always of the opposite gender from the one you choose at the start.
When was the game developed?
The development of Genshin Impact began in 2017 at miHoYo, the studio, now renamed HoYoverse.
The game features a open-world game with anime-style graphics, with a basic combat system based on the ability to quickly switch characters in the middle of a battle. It was this combination that captivated millions of players right from the start.
In terms of its business model, the game is entirely free-to-play and generates revenue through a gacha system. Do you use first-time mothers on banners in an effort to secure new characters and new weapons. HoYoverse regularly adds new content to the game quests, new characters and events limited challenges that reignite the interest of even the most advanced players.
To explore all the available resources, find out, for example, where to find frozen meat Genshin Impact, a useful ingredient for skincare recipes.
This model of gaming as a service allows Genshin to remain relevant for years after its release. New banners Character profiles are published about every three weeks, and the events Seasonal events offer free rewards to regular players.
Is there a release date planned for the Nintendo Switch?
HoYoverse has not announced an official date for a port to Nintendo Switch. However, the hybrid console was indeed among the platforms targeted in the initial announcement in 2020. Since then, the project has been shelved without any public explanation.
Rumors suggesting a launch in late 2022 or early 2023 never materialized. A likely explanation is that technical requirements on the console: running an open world as vast as Teyvat on the Switch remains a real technical challenge. A subpar port would tarnish the game's reputation.
In the meantime, you can play Genshin Impact for free on the platforms already available:
- PC (Windows) since September 28, 2020
- iOS and Android since September 28, 2020
- PlayStation 4 since September 28, 2020, then PS5 since April 28, 2021
- Xbox Series X|S since November 2024
The response was very positive: the polished graphics, the elemental combat and the richness of Teyvat have won over millions of players around the world. The most common criticisms point to a A somewhat lackluster ending and the model's constraints gacha to get the characters the most sought-after.
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