Is Genshin Impact coming to Xbox?
Best Answer: Finally, the answer is yes! Confirmed at Gamescom 2024, miHoYo and Microsoft revealed that Genshin Impact will launch on Xbox Series X|S consoles for free on November 20, 2024. You can pre-download Genshin Impact on Xbox Series X|S consoles here: Genshin Impact (Xbox).
When is Genshin Impact coming to Xbox?
HoYoverse confirmed at Gamescom 2024 that Genshin Impact is coming to Xbox Series X|S consoles on November 20, 2024.
Back in 2020, a HoYoverse spokesperson specifically stated that "we aren't planning on creating an Xbox version of the game." Microsoft reportedly passed on licensing Genshin Impact when they originally saw it, effectively handing its competitors across iOS, Android, and PlayStation a massive win. The game has gone on to be one of this generation's biggest success stories, making hundreds of millions of dollars turning HoYoverse (miHoYo) one of the most successful independent gaming companies on the planet.
Microsoft clearly regretted its decision, as Xbox has returned to give Genshin Impact another look in 2024. Microsoft and HoYoverse are partnering up to market the game, with huge ads in New York and even a pop-up event in London, UK over the summer. There will also be some kind of Xbox Game Pass benefit to playing Genshin Impact with a subscription, although there's not much information on exactly what the benefit will be as of writing.
So far, Genshin Impact has only been confirmed for Xbox Series X|S. We're unsure at this time if Genshin Impact will come to Xbox One, but we'll be sure to update this article as soon as we find out. We've asked HoYoverse to comment.
UPDATE: Genshin Impact is not coming to Xbox One. It is only coming to Xbox Series X|S, but it'll be available on Xbox One via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming.
What is Genshin Impact?
Genshin Impact is a free-to-play action RPG at its core, available across Android, iOS, PC, PlayStation, and soon, Xbox. The game was also announced for Nintendo Switch, but that version is nowhere to be seen as of writing.
- Pre-download for Xbox here: Genshin Impact (Xbox).
- Or on Android: Genshin Impact (Google Play)
- On PC: Genshin Impact (HoYoverse)
- On your iPhone: Genshin Impact (iOS)
- And on PS4/5: Genshin Impact (PlayStation).
The game is free to play, funded by microtransactions and in-app purchases. Known as a "gatcha" game, Genshin Impact revolves around collecting playable character heroes, which you can use in a party of four to perform combos and battle magical creatures in a massive open world. Players effectively "gamble" on banners (think loot boxes) for a chance to earn characters they like, using currency earned in-game via performing daily activities, or via purchased premium microtransactions. There's a chance Genshin Impact's Xbox Game Pass tie-in will have some material impact on how players can earn characters. Perhaps either with free Primo Gems, or perhaps instantaneous character access. We'll have to wait and see on that.
Genshin Impact has some co-operative online features, but it's not quite an "MMO" comparable to the likes of World of Warcraft or Elder Scrolls Online. You can interact with other players and build a friends list, and undertake challenges together across the game's world.
Is Xbox going to get more gatcha games?
Microsoft has notoriously missed out on some of the biggest "zeitgeist" busting games of recent memory, with titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, and others included. It has also has some big wins, with games like Roblox, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, Palworld, and Vampire Survivors hitting Xbox first. While it sucks to have waited so long to get Genshin Impact on Xbox (particularly given how popular it has been with younger audiences), the fact it's finally on the way is hugely encouraging.
Gatcha titles have historically been popular in East Asia but have gained a ton of traction in the West owing to Genshin Impact in no small measure. Similar titles like Wuthering Waves and Zenless Zone Zero have yet to break cover on Xbox, however, while others that were slated for Xbox, like Blue Protocol, are now actually being shut down completely.
In any case, we'll be sure to keep you updated on all things Genshin Impact once it finally hits Xbox on November 20, 2024.
