Genshin Impact has always been known for its stunning visuals, but it also comes with a price – demanding system requirements. Now, with the latest announcement from miHoYo, the bar might be set even higher. The developers are planning a major graphics and feature upgrade, potentially impacting players with older devices.
Enhanced Visuals Lead to Increased System Demands
miHoYo acknowledges that the upcoming graphical and functional improvements will require more powerful hardware to run Genshin Impact smoothly. However, they are committed to maintaining the minimum system requirements through stricter optimization techniques. This compromise might result in a slight downgrade in visual quality for players on low-end devices.
Identifying Affected Devices
According to the official miHoYo announcement, starting from Genshin Impact version 5.0, the following devices will experience a reduction in graphical fidelity:
- iOS: Devices powered by the A12 chip or older versions.
- Android: Devices equipped with Snapdragon 865, Dimensity 1200 (8050), Kirin 9000SL, Exynos 1080 processors, or lower.
- All PlayStation 4 consoles.
It’s worth noting that miHoYo has already begun optimizing Genshin Impact with the current version 4.6. This update subtly reduced the draw distance, impacting how far players can see into the horizon. The image comparison below showcases the difference between pre-4.6 (left) and post-4.6 (right), where players can no longer see the Inazuma islands from Sumeru.
Minimum Requirements for Gameplay
To ensure a smooth Genshin Impact experience, players need to meet the following minimum requirements:
- Android: 4GB RAM or higher, Android 8.0 or later operating system, minimum 30GB of free storage space.
- iOS: iPhone 8+ or newer, iPad Air 3rd generation or later, iPad 8th generation or later, minimum 30GB of free storage space.
PC Users Breathe Easy
The good news for PC players is that miHoYo’s announcement doesn’t mention any potential downgrades for their platform. This implies that PC users with current configurations can likely expect to enjoy the graphical enhancements without compromising performance.
The Bottom Line: Playable But Potentially Less Pretty
While players can still run Genshin Impact on their existing devices after the 5.0 update, those categorized as “outdated” by miHoYo might experience a dip in visual quality.
Looking Ahead: Balancing Beauty and Accessibility
This news raises questions about the future direction of Genshin Impact’s visuals. While advancements are exciting, they can leave some players behind. Balancing stunning visuals with accessibility for a broader range of devices remains a challenge for miHoYo and other developers creating graphically demanding games.
Potential Solutions and Community Concerns
The community might be curious about potential solutions, such as offering optional graphics settings that prioritize visuals or performance. Additionally, some players might be concerned about the upgrade’s impact on their specific devices.
Staying Informed and Making Decisions
Players with older devices can stay updated on miHoYo’s official announcements to confirm the exact graphical reduction for their specific hardware. This information will help them decide if the trade-off for the new features is worthwhile or if an upgrade might be necessary to maintain the desired visual experience.
Conclusion
Genshin Impact’s upcoming graphics upgrade promises a visual feast, but it comes with a caveat for low-end device users. While the game will remain playable, players might have to adjust their expectations regarding visual fidelity. The future of Genshin Impact’s visuals remains to be seen, but the community will be watching closely to see how miHoYo balances beauty with accessibility in the years to come.
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