Genshin Impact is one of the most popular mobile games ever made, along with a handful of other hit titles, such as Call of Duty: Mobile, Candy Crush Saga, Among Us, Subway Surfers, Pokémon GO, Roblox, Hearthstone, Angry Birds 2, PUBG Mobile [PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), and EA Sports FC Mobile, to name a few. 

Although a console version of this game is available on Sony Playstation 4/5 systems, it’s still not available on the Microsoft Xbox Series S/X. The question being asked here is, why are the developers behind Genshin Impact creating an Xbox console version?

Also, why is it available on PlayStation 4/5 when the mobile version is so popular? 

Let’s dive in to find out. 

What is Genshin Impact?

Genshin Impact is an action RPG (role-playing game) that was first released on iOS, Android, Windows, and PlayStation 4 platforms in September 2020. Since its release, it has become one of the world’s most popular mobile games. It’s just, if not more popular, as progressive jackpot slots like Mega Moolah and Diamond Mine Megaways Jackpot King are to mobile casino players worldwide. 

This hugely successful anime-themed open-world game was developed and published by Chinese game developer miHoYo. It’s a free-to-play (F2P) game that uses gacha game mechanics and earns revenue via in-game/app purchases made by players. 

When playing this game, your interchangeable character is a traveller from another world who embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries of Teyvat and reunite with your long-lost sibling. 

You can switch between any of the characters that you unlock during battle scenes to use a variety of attacks and skills to progress. Payers can also participate in limited-time activities, complete in-play quests, and defeat enemies. 

Although the game wasn’t received as well on consoles as it was on mobile, it eventually gathered a huge following and is now one of the biggest PS4/5 [non-exclusive] titles. The majority of people who enjoyed playing Genshin Impact still prefer playing on mobile. 

This multi-award-winning game has won the following prestigious accolades:

• Year: 2020. Awards: TapTap Game Awards. Category: Game of the Year. Result: Winner
• Year: 2020. Awards: App Store Best of 2020. Category: iPhone Game of the Year. Result: Winner
• Year: 2020. Awards: Google Play Awards. Category: Best Game. Result: Winner
• Year: 2021. Awards: Apple Design Awards. Category: Visual and Graphics. Result: Winner

Genshin Impact also won the Best Audio / Visual Accomplishment and Game of the Year awards at the 2021 Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards. In the same year, it won the Grand Award at the PlayStation Partner Awards and the Best Mobile Game award at The Game Awards. 

It also went on to win a further five major awards in 2022 and 2023 at some of the world’s most prestigious gaming awards ceremonies. 

Why is Genshin Impact being made for Xbox?

The reason the blockbuster online game Genshin Impact is being made for the Microsoft Xbox Series X/S consoles is pure and simple – money. Despite its popularity on mobile, there’s still a huge market of console users to be tapped into. 

In April 2021, Genshin Impact was released on PS5 and achieved relative success (although nowhere near as successful as the mobile version), and in November 2024, it’s set to arrive on Xbox Series X/S consoles to respond to the demand. 

Final thoughts

When Genshin Impact arrives on the Xbox, it will likely receive good reviews, and most people who have enjoyed playing from their smartphone but prefer playing games on their Xbox will no doubt love it. 

The upcoming Xbox Series S/X console version may even win more awards at these same well-known awards ceremonies. We will have to wait and see how well the console version of Genshin Impact is received by Xbox users.