Vortex Gaming

· Early Genshin Impact gave the impression of a massive open world where regions seamlessly connected.
· However, over time, the regions have become separated, connected by large empty spaces and narrow passages.
· This change has been criticized for making the overall map look unappealing and diluting the game's core open-world concept.
· Specifically, the numerous meaningless large empty spaces and narrow passages scattered across the map detract from immersion.
· Initially, when adding new regions like Dragonspine, Inazuma, and Sumeru, developers considered connectivity with the existing map.
· However, recent developments show a tendency to prioritize development convenience over this connectivity.
· For example, the Natlan region is isolated from the existing map and, despite having the potential to connect with the desert region, is only linked by a narrow passage.
· This suggests developers prefer adding new regions in empty spaces and connecting them with narrow passages.
· This approach seems to follow the 'law of least effort,' ultimately hindering the open-world experience.

· Although Genshin Impact was marketed as an open-world game, its current map structure feels more like instanced dungeons.
· Each region is connected only by narrow passages, offering a linear experience following set paths rather than free exploration.
· This differs from MMORPGs like World of Warcraft, where travel between continents uses ships or airships. In Genshin Impact, this separation occurs within the same world.
· Of course, some instancing for game optimization or development convenience is understandable.
· However, Genshin Impact started with the interconnected Mondstadt and Liyue and strived to maintain regional connectivity afterward.
· The gradual disappearance of this connectivity and the increase in completely isolated regions like Natlan are inconsistent with the open-world concept.
· As developers choose to add new regions in empty spaces and connect them with narrow passages, players feel like they are moving through closed-off areas.
· This reduces the freedom and enjoyment of exploration, diminishing its appeal as an open-world game.

· The initial Genshin Impact development team considered connectivity with existing regions crucial when expanding the map.
· When Dragonspine was added, its boundaries were naturally connected to the existing map, incorporating exploration elements.
· For Sumeru's release, an intermediate region was created and filled with content to connect it with Liyue.
· Thanks to these efforts, players felt the entire map was like one organic world.
· However, a clear trend has emerged where development convenience is prioritized over connectivity.
· The Fontaine region was initially surrounded by sea, but connectivity was later established by adding an underground map.
· Yet, the Natlan region, despite having the potential to connect with the desert area, is only linked by a narrow passage, which is disappointing.
· This suggests developers prefer creating new regions in 'empty land' and providing minimal connections.
· This approach diminishes the fun of exploration for players and harms the map's design consistency.

· Genshin Impact's current map design consists of a repetition of 'passages' and 'regions.'
· When new regions like Natlan and Fontaine are added, they are often designed as independent spaces rather than connecting to previous ones.
· This causes inconvenience for players who must traverse long passages to reach specific areas.
· This structure is similar to entering an instanced dungeon and hinders the core open-world experience of free exploration.
· Instead of opening the map and freely moving to desired locations, players must follow predetermined paths.
· This dilutes the concept of 'free exploration,' the biggest appeal of open-world games.
· While some regional separation for game optimization is understandable.
· It's disappointing that Genshin Impact, with its ample resources and personnel, adheres to this development approach.
· Consequently, Genshin Impact's map feels like a 'chimera' of stitched-together pieces, and the inconsistent design reduces immersion.

· In World of Warcraft (WoW), the map is divided into continents, but each continent is organically connected internally.
· Players travel between continents using ships or airships, which fits the game's concept well.
· WoW's map is compactly designed, allowing players to easily open the map and travel to desired locations.
· In contrast, Genshin Impact often requires traversing passages even for travel between regions within the same world.
· This inconveniences players and limits the free exploration experience expected of an open-world game.
· Early Genshin Impact expanded the map by connecting Mondstadt and Liyue and adding regions like Dragonspine.
· At the time, the entire map felt like one vast world, and players looked forward to future region additions.
· However, this connectivity is gradually disappearing, and a design repeating empty spaces and passages is becoming common.
· This suggests developers have reduced their efforts in map design, opting for minimal connectivity.
· As a result, Genshin Impact's map gives players the feeling of traversing 'closed spaces,' losing the essence of an open-world game.

· With the release of the Fontaine region, a new underwater exploration mechanic was introduced.
· This generated significant anticipation among players, but it has now become a feature that is rarely used.
· The underwater exploration feature was limited to temporary buffs or events and was not properly utilized in subsequent updates.
· This demonstrates a tendency for the Genshin Impact development team to introduce new mechanics but fail to develop them consistently.
· Furthermore, the map design of the Fontaine region is also disappointing.
· Initially, there was criticism of the map consisting solely of sea, and this was later supplemented by adding an underground map.
· However, this approach compromises map design consistency and can confuse players.
· If the development team had properly utilized the underwater exploration feature and made the Fontaine region richer, it would have provided a better experience.
· The current map design seems to involve minimal effort to fill empty spaces, which lowers the overall quality of the game.

· We hope the Genshin Impact development team will put effort into map connectivity and content expansion, as they did in the past.
· We expect them to create a richer open world by naturally connecting new regions to the existing map.
· We hope they fill empty spaces with meaningful content, not just to fill them, bringing joy to players.
· We hope they increase game diversity by continuously developing new mechanics like underwater exploration.
· We hope to see Genshin Impact map designs again that meet player expectations, similar to past development approaches.
· This will enhance immersion and further strengthen its appeal as an open-world game.
· We hope the development team listens to player feedback and strives to provide a better gaming experience.