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Genshin Impact, the open-world RPG from miHoYo, has captivated millions with its expansive landscapes, dynamic combat system, and rich lore. But behind its beautiful aesthetics and engaging gameplay lies a more contentious issue—Original Resin, a key in-game resource, has become a point of frustration for many players. This hidden economy has not only shaped how the game is played but also raised questions about balance, progression, and player satisfaction.
Introduction: The Role of Resin in Genshin Impact
In Genshin Impact, Original Resin is the game's energy system, used to claim rewards from boss fights, domains, and certain world activities. As a finite resource that regenerates slowly, Resin serves as a bottleneck for players trying to gather essential materials for character and weapon upgrades. This system has sparked debate among players, especially those who wish to engage in content more frequently without being forced to wait or pay. This article delves into the energy Resin issue in Genshin Impact, exploring its impact on gameplay, the community’s response, and potential solutions miHoYo could implement to address these concerns.1. The Introduction of Resin: A Double-Edged Sword
When Genshin Impact launched in September 2020, Resin was introduced as part of the core gameplay loop. Players quickly realized that Resin was required to collect crucial rewards from activities like Elite Bosses, Ley Line Outcrops, and Artifact Domains. Each activity consumes a set amount of Resin, which regenerates at a rate of 1 Resin every 8 minutes, meaning it takes nearly 21 hours to fully replenish a player's Resin cap of 160.Initial Player Reactions
Initially, many casual players found the Resin system manageable, as it provided a reasonable check on progression. However, as players reached higher levels and began to engage with endgame content—such as farming for 5-star artifacts—the limitations of Resin became more apparent.A Systemic Limitation
For players who wished to progress faster or experiment with different character builds, the Resin system was viewed as a frustrating barrier. This bottleneck limited players' ability to farm for materials and increase their characters' potential without resorting to real-money transactions.2. Impact on Progression: Stalling Players' Growth
As players leveled up and entered the game's more advanced stages, the energy Resin issue became increasingly problematic. To level up characters, ascend weapons, or improve artifact stats, players need to farm materials from bosses, domains, and weekly events—all of which consume Resin.The Grinding Paradox
The paradox lies in the fact that the higher the player’s Adventure Rank, the more resources they need, yet they are met with the same 160 Resin cap. This creates an unsatisfying loop, where players are often forced to prioritize certain characters or activities while neglecting others, slowing down overall progression.Endgame Pacing
The Resin system also inadvertently dictates how long a player can engage with the endgame content. Instead of being able to consistently work toward their goals, players are subject to periods of inactivity unless they purchase Fragile Resin or refill Resin using Primogems, the premium currency.3. Resin vs. Free-to-Play Players: A Contentious Divide
One of the most vocal groups affected by the Resin system is the Free-to-Play (F2P) player base. While Genshin Impact prides itself on offering a free experience with microtransactions, the reliance on Resin to progress in endgame content has led many F2P players to feel as though they are at a disadvantage compared to those willing to spend.F2P Frustrations
For F2P players, Resin refills are a luxury. With limited Primogems, they are often faced with the choice of spending their gems on gacha pulls or Resin refills. This can make the progression feel especially slow, leading to frustration for those who want to compete at higher levels or try out new builds.Inaccessibility to Competitive Players
Many players who prefer to optimize their characters and take on challenging content have expressed that the Resin system punishes those who do not spend. This divide has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of the game's player base.4. The Role of Fragile Resin: A Temporary Solution
Fragile Resin, an item that grants 60 Resin upon use, is one of the few ways players can bypass the time gate imposed by the Resin system. Fragile Resin is typically awarded sparingly through events or Adventure Rank rewards.Scarcity of Fragile Resin
However, Fragile Resin is a limited resource. Once players have exhausted their initial supply, the only remaining options are to either wait for Resin to replenish naturally or use Primogems to refill their Resin.MiHoYo's Approach
miHoYo has attempted to address some of these concerns by offering Fragile Resin as rewards during special events, but this only temporarily alleviates the issue without addressing the underlying problem of Resin scarcity.5. The Community's Call for Reform
The Genshin Impact community has been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the current Resin system. Many players have taken to social media platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and the official miHoYo forums to share their grievances and suggest changes.Popular Player Suggestions
- Increase the Resin cap: Many players feel that raising the Resin cap from 160 to 200 or even 240 would provide more flexibility without breaking the game’s balance.
- Faster Resin regeneration: Another common suggestion is to reduce the time it takes for Resin to regenerate, perhaps to 5 minutes per Resin instead of 8 minutes.
- Alternative ways to earn Resin: Players have also proposed that miHoYo introduce methods for earning extra Resin through daily tasks or special challenges.
6. Developer Response: Balancing the Economy
miHoYo has responded to player feedback in various updates but has been cautious about making significant changes to the Resin system. The developers have repeatedly stated that the Resin system is essential for maintaining game balance and preventing players from exhausting content too quickly.Update 1.1 Adjustments
In the game's first major update (Version 1.1), miHoYo addressed some of the community's concerns by reducing the cost of weekly bosses from 60 Resin to 30 Resin. However, this did little to ease the burden for players who frequently engage with daily and weekly content.Long-Term Vision
miHoYo has emphasized that they are constantly reviewing the game's economy and are open to making adjustments based on player feedback, but Resin has remained largely unchanged despite ongoing dissatisfaction.7. Psychological Impact: The Feeling of Missing Out (FOMO)
The Resin system has contributed to a phenomenon known as "fear of missing out" (FOMO) among players. Since Resin is tied to important rewards that players need to progress, many feel compelled to log in daily to ensure they do not miss out on resources.Daily Rituals
For many players, this creates a routine of logging in, spending their Resin, and logging out, rather than exploring the open world or engaging in other game activities. This repetitive loop has led some to argue that the system detracts from the game's intended freedom and exploration.Burnout and Frustration
The pressure to optimize Resin usage can also lead to burnout, as players feel forced to play at specific times or miss out on valuable rewards. Over time, this can erode the enjoyment of the game, especially for long-term players.8. Genshin's Monetization Strategy: Primogems and Resin Refills
Part of the controversy surrounding the Resin system stems from its connection to Genshin Impact's monetization strategy. Players can refill their Resin using Primogems, which are obtained through gameplay or purchased with real money.Monetization Tactics
While the game is free-to-play, the ability to speed up progression through microtransactions creates a pay-to-win perception. Players who are willing to spend can progress faster, widening the gap between casual and paying players.Balancing Fun and Profit
miHoYo must strike a delicate balance between ensuring the game remains fun for F2P players while encouraging those who wish to spend money. However, the reliance on Resin refills as a core monetization method has left many players feeling alienated.9. Alternative Energy Systems in Other Games
To better understand the criticisms of Genshin Impact's Resin system, it's helpful to compare it to other games that employ similar energy-based mechanics.Energy Systems in Gacha Games
Many gacha games, such as Honkai Impact or Fate/Grand Order, use energy systems to limit how much content players can access at one time. However, these games often offer more generous ways to regain energy or feature systems that do not bottleneck progression as heavily.Lessons from Other Games
Games like Warframe or Destiny 2 offer more lenient energy systems, allowing players to grind for rewards at their own pace, which has led to greater player satisfaction in the long term.10. Potential Solutions and the Future of Resin
As Genshin Impact continues to evolve, miHoYo has the opportunity to make meaningful changes to the Resin system. The following are potential solutions that could improve the experience for both F2P and paying players:Possible Adjustments
- Introduce more free ways to earn Resin, such as through daily tasks, weekly events, or even world exploration.
- Rework the Resin regeneration rate to make it more accessible without completely removing the time gate.
- Offer alternative progression systems that do not rely on Resin, allowing players to enjoy more of the game’s content at their own pace.
The Long-Term Future
Ultimately, the future of Genshin Impact depends on miHoYo’s willingness to listen to its player base and implement meaningful changes. The Resin system, while initially designed to maintain balance, has become a sticking point for many players. Addressing this issue could lead to a healthier, more enjoyable game for all.
