Redesigning Genshin Impact’s Open World Exploration: Waypoints & Currency
Image source: https://www.jeumobi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/genshin-impact-screenshot-7.jpg
· Problem: Genshin Impact is advertised as an open world game, but there is little reason to explore the open world by foot after teleporter waypoints have been unlocked. This is bad for players who want an immersive story-based experience. Furthermore, the resources used to develop an open world are undermined when most players essentially experience the game as instance-based. With a simple addition, we can increase immersion for players who love story.
· Summary of Genshin Impact:
· Genshin Impact is a fantasy action RPG that is best known for its open world and Gacha character-building elements, where players play pre-made characters but customize them using items and randomly dropped level-up materials.[ii]
· It can be played single-player or co-op with up to four people.
· Quests and self-directed exploration allows players to reveal the map and unlock Teleport Waypoints. Once unlocked, except for in dungeons, the waypoints will be accessible from any location at any time, including during combat.
· There is a tension in the game between grindy/farming-type gameplay and story-based play. Existing narrative quest types and reputation systems encourage roleplay and story immersion, but the core gameplay loop encourages fast farming.
· Players rarely travel across the open world landscape “by foot.” This loop contributes to a fast pace, but undermines environmental design and story immersion in favor of utilitarian gameplay. I would like to develop the narrative immersion of the game.
· Random open world events do happen, but they give few rewards compared to directed play.
· Solution: add a new currency, World currency, to reward players who explore the open world by foot rather than through teleportation. World currency would be earned from exploring the open world and be spent on story-based events to encourage exploration of the world even after Teleport waypoints are unlocked. The way World currency focuses on story would mean that players who want the fast experience are not penalized, while those who want to explore are rewarded.
· Genshin has plenty of currencies, so 1 more will integrate easily. As of late April 2021, there are around 10 currencies for gacha, housing, limited events, and more.
· More open world events could also be added to generate interest in exploration “by foot,” such as:
· Hidden resources that give more bonuses
· Special fiercer enemies
An existing random open-world quest that could give players World currency in my proposal.
· World currency would be spent on:
· Unlocking more story-based events like the existing Hangout events, a quest type that emphasizes learning more about a character and exploring branching narrative with them
· Exchange for currency of immersive story systems like reputation, which ask you to do favors for a region’s citizens
· The way World currency focuses on story would mean that players who want the fast experience are not penalized, while those who want to explore are rewarded.
· Conclusion: this system gives players more reason to explore the open world and encourages players who like the narrative “living-world” aspect of the open world. The way World currency focuses on story would mean that players who want the fast experience are not penalized, while those who want to explore are rewarded. This additional currency can increase engagement with the open world without altering too much of the game, and still encourage many playstyles.
Do you play Genshin Impact for the grind or the story? What do you think of this system?
[i] Img source: https://www.jeumobi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/genshin-impact-screenshot-7.jpg
[ii] https://www.inverse.com/gaming/genshin-impact-gacha-game-meaning-definition
