If you’re aware of Genshin Impact, chances are, you’ve heard about its recent competitor, Wuthering Waves. If so, in the next breath, you’ve probably heard Wuthering Waves cursed into oblivion for its obvious similarities to Genshin Impact. It’s an old gripe, given scale thanks to the nature of fandom.
Practically any time even a distant comparison is brought between the two games, the Internet turns into a firestorm of anger. It doesn’t matter what social platform you’re on, the unadulterated disdain for perceived knock-offs is everywhere, but it’s often unfair and unwarranted. There are formulaic inspirations in both; a traceable pattern of taking tried-and-true design decisions and successful service models and implementing them into something new.
The reality is that both games are similar. I’ve played both. A lot. Genshin since release and Wuthering Waves for too many hours in its last CBT and into its launch. They are similar. This shouldn’t be seen in a negative light though. It is good for a monolithic game like Genshin Impact to have competition in the space, forcing excellence through a natural market shift. It is a positive thing that customers, the players, get to decide which of the two games is superior as they sustain those live service models. If the players decide that Wuthering Waves is the better of the two games, then Genshin Impact will eventually be forced to make changes.
Think about this. When multiple games vie for a player’s attention, developers are automatically incentivized to push boundaries and enhance gameplay experiences. This ultimately benefits us players as we get to enjoy more high-quality games. It benefits the developers too, because they are then given crucial feedback for gameplay elements, directly from their competitors without a word being uttered. It is crucial for all in the space to remember that constructive criticism and feedback help elevate developers to improve their games. Instead of resorting to hatred spawned from “High School Mentality” toward a perceived rivalry, an open dialogue can lead to positive changes and genuine advances in the gaming industry as a whole.
When comparing these two games, players shouldn’t rush to take sides like they’re choosing teams in high school sports. I get it, with the Gacha system, it’s tough not to feel invested. Still, let’s pause and look at each with an open mind. Who cares if they’re similar? They still have enough differences to be their own thing, appealing to different parts of the same crowd in the end. There’s no need for all the hate when both games can learn from each other, especially since they’re live service titles. They can iterate on changes at any given moment based on the competition. Isn’t that what everyone wants in the end?
We often see these perceived “copycats” in gaming because successful game mechanics and concepts tend to inspire other developers to create similar experiences. What determines the meaning of success? The players do. This phenomenon is driven by the desire to capitalize on proven formulas that have captivated audiences, reducing the risk associated with innovation. The iterative nature of game design encourages active refinement and evolution of popular ideas, leading to new titles that, while similar, often introduce unique twists and improvements. Wuthering Waves is he literal example of this concept. The competitive market further fuels this trend, as developers strive to meet player expectations and industry standards, which are often set by groundbreaking games, I.E: Genshin Impact.
While it’s natural for fans to feel protective of their favorite games, fostering healthy competition and embracing diversity in the space benefits everyone involved, from developers to players. So instead of pooling up all this disgusting hatred, let’s celebrate the abundance of creativity, the freedom of game choice, and the innovations that come from consumer choices in the gaming industry as a whole.
Regardless of your allegiance to either community, it’s time to abandon the notion of Genshin Impact or Wuthering Waves being adversaries. Instead, let’s embrace the competition between them, as it promises to enrich the gaming landscape for all involved. I’m committed to this mindset, and if someone as headstrong as myself can adopt it, surely you can too.
