The rich lore ofGenshin Impacthas spanned across six regions so far, but it is far from finished. Since launching in 2020, the HoYoverse title has captivated fans with its immersive exploration and a vibrant roster of characters that help push the story along.Genshin Impactis also part of the ever-growing HoYoverse multiverse, sharing a universe withHonkai: Star RailandHonkai Impact 3rd.
Given the vastness ofGenshin Impact’s world, it only makes sense for HoYoverse to maximize this through different forms of media, be it through the official manga or theupcomingGenshin Impactanimeproduced by Ufotable. It could also be looking at other ways to immortalize the game in other ways, especially if it’s true that the endgame is near. Perhaps an MMO approach could be the next step inGenshin Impact’s evolution.
A Genshin Impact MMO Could Has More Wiggle Room For Gameplay and Lore
MMORPGs allow players to customize their characters' appearance, choose their preferred class, and explore maps to accomplish missions. In some ways,Genshin Impacthas already achieved this experience, apart from the fact that players can’t customize the Traveler’s appearance. Plus, with theTraveler wielding different elemental abilities and fighting styles, it’s like they have built-in classes that players can switch out depending on their combat needs. Of course, an MMO format still gives more room to properly build a character based on one’s preferences, and even take inspiration from existingGenshin Impactcharacters. For something completely different, perhaps they could play as Archons protecting their regions and traveling across Teyvat to make themselves stronger.
In terms of setting,Genshin Impact’s Teyvat regionis primed for a potential MMO title because of its detailed surroundings and the NPCs that add personality to each location. These could be translated into a wider map, where HoYoverse could introduce new locations that are exclusive to the MMO to give players a newer experience while exploring Teyvat.
As for the story, it would be interesting to see if HoYoverse could tackle events from the past or in the future in a possible MMO. It could follow the lead ofDiablo Immortal, which happens between the events ofDiablo 2: Lord of DestructionandDiablo 3, featuring a hero who will face formidable foes and Archons in order to save Teyvat’s lands. If the MMO were set in the past,Genshin Impactcould showcase the lives of previous Archons, setting it about a hundred years before the present events. The advantage of this is utilizing already available information from the game’s lore to build its foundation.
Meanwhile, if it’s going to be set in the future,Genshin Impactwould be in a unique position to craft stories that fans haven’t encountered before. This would raise questions about the future of certain lands after the Traveler visited and helped its people, and if the appointed Archons of this era turned out to be just or corrupt decades or centuries later. Also, fans would surely like to know if the Fatui Harbingers continue to be a powerful villainous group that’s hunting down the Archons' power for different reasons this time.
How a Genshin Impact MMO Could Fit in the HoYoverse Multiverse
HoYoverse is known for character crossovers and references across all of its games, creating a multiverse that includes individual worlds with alternate versions of characters. AGenshin ImpactMMO could definitely continue the growth of the multiverse with new stories, while also featuring versions of characters fromHonkai: Star Rail,Honkai Impact 3rd, and evenHoYoverse’s rumoredAnimal Crossing-inspired gamecalledStarry Sky Valley.
The possibilities are endless ifGenshin Impactends up taking the MMO route once the main game’s story comes to an end. It’s still unknown when and if that might happen, but it’s also clear that HoYoverse is preparing to sustain the IP through different forms of media.Genshin Impactcould even capitalize on its mini-games, such as its auto battler, to retain its relevance.
