Microsoft is reportedly looking for its own large-scale live-streaming service success story to tap into the Chinese market’s huge cash hoard. Inspired by the ludicrous financial success of Genshin Impact, it looks like we may be slowly heading towards the video game gacha era. It’s a great move for Microsoft in a business sense, but terrible news for those pushed down by aggressive monetization.
This all comes from Reuters, whose sources say “Microsoft is stocking up on Chinese video game content to emulate Sony Group’s success with Genshin Impact”. The article goes on to point out that, according to their sources, Microsoft is looking for developers in the region that they can work with to provide significant funding to break into the Chinese development industry.
Let’s break it down. Microsoft’s desire to have a slice of the lucrative Chinese pie is palpable and understandable, and Genshin Impact’s massive success in the region and abroad is a big prospect that’s almost impossible to ignore. For a major company, aside from the industry-wide push for live services and the lack of big gashapon games on Xbox Game Pass, all of this justifies a move into anime-style slot money.
Not great news for those of us who are still sick of monetizing gacha. Yes, Genshin Impact is a good game. Even a great game! With delightful open-world exploration and a level of depth, it lets you go back and experiment with your character’s elemental affinity. However, it is a great game attached to a massive slot machine. The fact that it attracted so much money is impressive, but so are the casino’s revenue figures. It’s gambling in shiny packaging.
Is there any hope that whatever Microsoft is thinking will not include gacha monetization? Maybe. Game Pass may be the real product it intends to sell in the Chinese market, diverting the huge revenue from those looking to acquire their favorite rare character or weapon to an entrenched Chinese user base who pay monthly for free games. Subscription fee.
On the one hand, I have a dark fascination with what Microsoft-exclusive gacha games can spit out into the world. While it sounds like the company will only be throwing a lot of cash at Ch inese developers, the popularity of Halo Infinite’s cat-eared helmets may be just the beginning… Anime Master Chief, Forza Motorsport race cars painted with V-tubers and cute boys, Twink Marcus Fenix. I mean, if Sony let the alloy go into Genshin Impact, why not? If you’re going to do it, go wild.
As mentioned in the Reuters article, Genshin Impact has made Sony a lot of money. As the only console with the game right now, it’s safe to expect a lot of investment and deals between Microsoft and Chinese developers. The console wars could be back, with the growing population of China’s gaming industry as the battleground.
For more Genshin Impact articles, check out our breakdown of Genshin Impact version 3.2 updates, release dates, and more, as well as our Genshin Impact Free Codes page!
