HoyoVerse gave us some details on how ‘Genshin Impact’ will work with Xbox Game Pass, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming

HoyoVerse gave us some details on how 'Genshin Impact' will work with Xbox Game Pass, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming

What you need to know

  • “Genshin Impact” is a wildly popular action RPG game in the gatcha subgenre, and it’s heading to Xbox Series X|S on November 20, 2024. 
  • The game has been exclusive to PlayStation, Windows PC, and mobile devices up until now, but developer HoyoVerse is partnering up with Xbox Game Pass to sweeten the deal. 
  • Revealed to us directly, HoyoVerse says that Genshin Impact will yield in-game bundles day one for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, as well as in subsequent version updates (think similar to seasons.) 
  • It will not require Xbox Game Pass Core (Xbox Live Gold) to play on Xbox Series X|S, as it is a free-to-play title. 
  • The game isn’t coming to Xbox One sadly, but it will be available there via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate via Xbox Cloud Gaming. 

As an observer with years of gaming experience under my belt, I can say that the news of Genshin Impact finally coming to Xbox is nothing short of exhilarating. I remember the days when I used to long for this game on my console, and now it’s finally happening! It’s like a dream come true for many gamers who have been waiting patiently.


After a long wait, Genshin Impact is finally heading to Xbox on November 20, 2024. 

Genshin Impact is an exceptionally popular action RPG developed by HoyoVerse, based in Shanghai, who are also recognized for Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero. This game falls under the “gatcha” category, meaning players engage in battles across a vast open world and amass character heroes. These characters can be obtained through completing missions, quests, or by spending in-game money acquired via microtransactions

Ever since its debut, Genshin Impact has earned its developer an impressive sum in the hundreds of millions, while continuously providing top-tier free post-launch updates. This has firmly established it as a leader within its genre. The game’s omission from Xbox was significant, especially considering its popularity among younger audiences. Earlier, I mentioned that Genshin Impact might be driving a generation away from Xbox, and it appears Microsoft shares my concern. It’s always better to arrive late than never, right?

In a recent announcement, Microsoft and Hoyoverse have teamed up to offer exclusive perks for Genshin Impact players using Xbox Series X|S through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. More specifics about these benefits were disclosed earlier today

A representative from Hoyoverse clarified that “Genshin Impact is a free-to-play game. This means you don’t have to buy Game Pass Ultimate or Core to enjoy the Co-Op Mode. If you do have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, you will receive in-game bonuses when the game initially launches and after updates, as well as access Genshin Impact via Xbox Cloud Gaming.”

On Xbox’s website this week, there was an error in the message stating that Genshin Impact needed Xbox Game Pass Core (Xbox Live Gold) to play online. However, it has been clarified that Genshin Impact won’t require any payment for online play, just like popular free-to-play games such as Fortnite and Overwatch 2. Additionally, HoyoVerse confirmed that Genshin Impact can be played through Xbox Cloud Gaming

In simpler terms, while Genshin Impact is specifically designed for play on the Xbox Series X|S consoles, Xbox One owners can still enjoy the game through Xbox Cloud Gaming. However, it’s important to note that this access requires an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription

Still uncertain, the contents of the Genshin Impact Xbox Game Pass Ultimate bundles are yet to be revealed. They might include essential items, valuable Primogems, or possibly new characters. Keep an eye out for further updates as we uncover more details

Genshin Impact arrives on Xbox on November 20, 2024

HoyoVerse gave us some details on how 'Genshin Impact' will work with Xbox Game Pass, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming

After some time, we finally arrived, and as they often say, “better late than never.” That adage certainly applies to popular games like Genshin Impact, where arriving late is hardly a disadvantage

Genshin Impact significantly upgraded the standard for free-to-play action RPGs on mobile devices. While the genre has had its following in certain areas for quite some time, the exceptional quality of Genshin Impact has made it a standout title that’s hard to overlook. Similarly successful games like Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero have also garnered significant attention, paving the way for a new era of all-encompassing cross-platform games that can run seamlessly on various devices

Genshin Impact serves as an example of the kind of game that could be a dream for service-oriented companies like Microsoft, whose titles such as Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon haven’t made a significant impact on mobile platforms yet. However, Microsoft has had great success with Age of Empires Mobile, and Blizzard Entertainment, known for World of Warcraft, is working on new mobile projects as well

It’s expected that the collaboration between Xbox Game Pass and Genshin Impact will be appealing enough to attract fresh subscribers to the service, which Microsoft has been keen on doing ever since the inception of its gaming subscription model akin to Netflix

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2024-09-04 19:11