Genshin Impact, the popular open-world RPG known for its gacha system, is now asking players about their monthly income.
This question is part of the game’s routine surveys that gather demographic data and player feedback, often rewarding participants with Mora, the game’s in-game currency.
The latest survey specifically asks Japanese players to specify their net monthly income, offering options ranging from below $250 to over $5000.
“Please select your monthly net income. Choose the range that corresponds to your monthly net income.”
Income Brackets:
- Less than 40,000 JPY
- 40,000 to 80,000 JPY
- 80,001 to 120,000 JPY
- 120,001 to 180,000 JPY
- 180,001 to 250,000 JPY
- 250,001 to 500,000 JPY
- 500,001 to 800,000 JPY
- More than 800,001 JPY
- I would rather not say (opt-out option)
While the survey provides an option to opt out with a “I would rather not say” response, the nature of the question has led to a flurry of speculation and discomfort among the game’s community.
Players are concerned that miHoYo, the developer behind Genshin Impact, might use this financial data to tailor and potentially increase the pricing strategies within the game’s gacha mechanics.
The question’s phrasing is invasive and may be less intrusive query should have been used—such as “How much money do you spend on hobbies monthly?”— which might have been more appropriate and less pointed. This aspect of the survey has particularly stood out as unsettling.
In contrast, players of Wuthering Waves, another game recently launched by a related developer, received a survey that primarily focused on game quality and user experience.
