Hi, I'm James. I'm 12 years old, and I play Genshin Impact. A lot.
I know what many parents think. "It's just a game." "It's a waste of time." Or worse, "It's gambling." But hear me out. For me, Genshin isn't just about fighting monsters. It's actually taught me a lot about the world, math, and managing money.
1. It's a Geography Lesson
Did you know Genshin's world is based on real countries? Liyue is basically ancient China (where I was born!), with stone forests that look just like Zhangjiajie. Inazuma is Japan, Mondstadt is Germany/Europe, and Sumeru has vibes from India and the Middle East.
Because of this game, I learned about different architectures, food (like Adeptus' Temptation which is basically Buddha Jumps Over the Wall), and music styles. The soundtrack is performed by real orchestras like the London Symphony and Shanghai Symphony. It's culture class without the boring textbooks.
2. The "Gacha" Teaches Budgeting
Okay, let's talk about the "gambling" part. Yes, you wish for characters. But here's the thing: Primogems are limited (unless you're a "whale," which I am not).
I have to save up for MONTHS to get the character I want (like Arlecchino or Neuvillette). I have to calculate:
- "If I do my dailies, I get 60 primos."
- "Events give me 420."
- "Soft pity is at 75 pulls."
This is literally budgeting. If I spend it all on a banner I don't really want, I go broke. It taught me delayed gratification better than any allowance ever did.
3. Team Building is Strategy
You can't just mash buttons. You need to understand Elemental Reactions. Pyro (Fire) + Hydro (Water) = Vaporize (2x damage). Electro + Dendro = Aggravate.
Building a team is like solving a puzzle. You need a Main DPS, a Sub-DPS, a Support, and a Healer. You have to manage cooldowns and energy recharge. It's complex! It makes my brain work way harder than watching TikTok.
Conclusion
So, Mom and Dad (and other parents), next time you see your kid playing Genshin, maybe sit down and watch for a bit. Ask them about the lore. Ask them how they're saving their Primogems. You might be surprised at how much thinking is actually going on behind that screen.
(But yes, please still remind us to touch grass occasionally. I like basketball too!)