When discussing some of the most popular and played games released recently, Genshin Impact doesn't really pop up in people's minds. Despite being a massive deal globally, it perhaps doesn't get the attention it deserves, especially in terms of accumulating viewership on live-streaming platforms. However, make no mistake about it; it has quite a large presence on such services, mainly coming into the spotlight thanks to its Special Program streams, whose numbers back up how famous the game is.
This action role-playing title, developed by the Chinese company miHoYo, is known for its stunning open-world design, vibrant visuals, and diverse characters. However, what sets it apart is the free-to-play model and that it's available on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and smartphones.
Moreover, the game's gacha system, where players can unlock new characters and items through virtual currency, contributed heavily to its financial success. Players love the thrill of pulling for their favorite characters, and miHoYo has done a great job keeping it engaging with regular updates and new content.
It is the anticipation for this new content that also sees this title make quite the splash on social media and streaming sites every so often. Every time an update is released, the official channels organize 'Special Programs' that reveal all the latest additions and changes, keeping fans in the loop and creating a buzz within the community that sometimes takes over the video games world.
On November 3, one such live broadcast was held for audiences and gamers as the developer disclosed details regarding the highly-anticipated Version 4.2. It dropped on November 8 and features Furina and Baizhu in the first phase and Cyno and Ayato in the second, with their signature weapons accompanying them in each phase, reiterating once again why Genshin Impact remains one of the most beloved gaming titles today.
What has also slipped under the radar is that GenshinImpactOfficial has been among the most popular official organization channels over the past two full years. This year, too, it is in the top 15, with only the usual suspects like Valorant, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter-Strike, and Dota 2 above it.
The most popular live broadcast of the year is from January 6, when details regarding Version 3.4 were revealed. It also sneaked into the top 15 most-watched streams for the official account in terms of peak concurrent viewership.
There are a few dedicated Genshin Impact content creators who help make the game and its various Special Programs a success. The likes of Putupau, Nerumero, Enviosity, and モスラメソ regularly keep up with happenings related to the game and relay them to viewers and fans via their live videos.
These internet personalities also play every update thoroughly, exploring every nook and cranny of the map, including any new areas, and often streaming these playthroughs live. This helps the community come together and fosters a sense of togetherness, with the game’s followers often touted as being some of the best in the industry. They often help each other by sharing guides, tips, and tricks for solving various puzzles and levels so that everyone can feel part of the ride and contribute to the success of the game.
This also means influencers who are not readily associated with the game jump on the bandwagon and play the game, helping it reach thousands of followers. The likes of Rubius, Mizkif, and Hikaru Nakamura are some prominent examples of this trend, with these names also becoming some of the games’ most popular broadcasters across the year so far.
When it comes to the overall list of the channel's most popular live streams, most are from 2022 and 2021. The former contributes four entries to the top five, all coming within a six-month phase. What is interesting is that the highest number of peak viewers and the biggest watch time number are almost the same, suggesting that while these streams are not watched for long, they are viewed by lots of viewers simultaneously.
What has struck a chord with players worldwide is a combination of gorgeous graphics, a compelling storyline, and a monetization model that doesn't feel predatory. Moreover, Genshin Impact has impressively managed to break through cultural and linguistic barriers to become a global phenomenon.
Even though it has a large following in Asia, this open-world action RPG has a massive fanbase globally. However, given it's a Chinese game, it is unsurprising that this title has a strong following in its home country. Moreover, its art style and design have resonated well with Japanese players, contributing to its success there as well.
However, it's important to note that Genshin Impact didn't stop at Asia — it quickly became a hit in the West too, as North America, Europe, and other regions embraced the game enthusiastically. The various features abovementioned allowed players from different regions and gaming preferences to come together in the fantastical world of Teyvat.
What might still surprise readers is the fact that over its lifetime on Twitch, this title has been most prevalent among European audiences. Apart from English (the most watched language), Spanish and Portuguese viewers have been watching a lot of content on the game since 2020.
Korean, another major market for Genshin Impact, is the best-performing Asian language taking up 5.6% of the overall watch time. Chinese and Japanese are the only other languages from the continent to make this top ten, showing just how diverse a player and viewer base the game enjoys.
The dynamics are similar when only looking at the 2023 language watch time as well. However, there have been significant increases for Chinese and Korean, as the slew of updates have been well-received by users in these regions. Of course, the recent Version 4.2 led to high interest among all users, especially its Asian consumers.
One aspect the developers will hope to improve is the coverage Genshin Impact gets across streaming platforms. For now, Twitch and YouTube are its hotbeds, and with future updates, they should look to broadcast these Special Programs on more such services, including Kick, to reach a wider audience and more popular influencers.
As users and broadcasters are busy getting to grips with all the new content that came with the 4.2 update, it remains to be seen if the viewership numbers continue to rise. Until then, they can enjoy the new content, including Cyno and Ayato's rerun banners, wishes, weapons, characters, and a whole lot more.
