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Genshin Impact nets $2 billion in global player sales in its first year

Genshin Impact has achieved a new feat, accumulating $2 billion in global player spending in its first year of release on mobile platforms, just days following its Anniversary Event launch.

By Ashleigh Klein |

Page Updated November 28, 2021, 19:10 | First Published October 1, 2021, 11:23

Genshin Impact nets $2 billion in global player sales in its first year

Genshin Impact has had an incredible first year on the global markets, dominating gaming sales across console, PC and mobile gaming platforms. While millions of players are currently participating in the game’s first anniversary celebrations, the developers, miHoYo, had another reason to be celebrating.

Genshin Impact nets $2 billion in global player revenue

According to a report from Sensor Tower, miHoYo’s action RPG, Genshin Impact, smashed a new milestone this week, revealing accumulated revenue of $2 billion, derived from global player spending across the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

This latest insight places Genshin Impact as the third highest-grossing mobile game since its release on mobile devices on 28th September 2020, with Tencent’s Honor of Kings and PUBG Mobile taking the first and second place, respectively.

Genshin Impact continues its momentous run as one of the highest-grossing mobile games as it enters its second year. (Picture: miHoYo)

To further prove the game’s popularity, the mobile version of Genshin Impact surpassed Niantic’s Pokémon GO and Roblox in global sales. This is a monumental achievement, considering that developers miHoYo accomplished this within its first year of release.

It is noted that the data reported by Sensor Tower does not include global sales derived from third-party platforms (nor from global sales on its console and PC versions), which further demonstrates miHoYo's success in releasing an innovative cross-platform title in the presently saturated market, particularly as a free-to-play model.

Genshin Impact nets $2 billion in global player revenue. (Picture: miHoYo)

Reflecting back on the past year, Genshin Impact's release was one of the most financially successful launches for mobile games, reaching the $1 billion milestones within its first six months; a feat that was previously accomplished by Pokemon GO only after nine months. Comparing the accumulated revenue in the first year for both games, Pokemon GO grossed $1.1 billion in relation to Genshin Impact’s $2 billion.

.@miHoYo's #GenshinImpact has had one of the most successful mobile game launches ever, taking less than 6 months to reach its first $1 billion! 🚀Read about it in our latest blog post: https://t.co/4K169GsSGP pic.twitter.com/VnEQztOV1Q
— Sensor Tower (@SensorTower) September 29, 2021

Genshin Impact: 1st Year Anniversary blunder

As Genshin Impact enters its second year of life, the upcoming Special Program live stream for Version 2.2 will give players a look at what they can expect going forward.

Dear Travelers,

It's announcement time! The special program for Genshin Impact's new version will premiere on the official Twitch channel on 10/03/2021 at 08:00 (UTC-4)!
>>>https://t.co/iSfDaE9iy6 #GenshinImpact pic.twitter.com/h1kdKdpGEz
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact) September 29, 2021

This news may have been a welcoming sight days after its Anniversary Event sparked widespread criticism from the dedicated community of players.

With the next Special Program live stream commencing this weekend, miHoYo are not letting this recent backlash deter them from delivering more content news and updates as the game enters its second year.

You can watch the stream live on the Official Genshin Impact Twitch channel, embedded below.