Since its global release in 2020, Genshin Impact has grown from an open-world ARPG curiosity into a cultural phenomenon. With its ever-expanding roster, breathtaking regions, and frequent events, it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of Teyvat. But for veteran players, a new challenge emerges: how do you stay engaged in a game without traditional MMO-style endgame content?
Spiral Abyss and the “Hardcore Gap”
The Spiral Abyss has long been the primary benchmark for late-game players. It requires highly built teams, precise rotation timing, and deep elemental synergy. Yet, it resets biweekly and offers limited rewards. While this satisfies competitive players for a time, many argue it’s not enough to sustain hardcore interest.
As a professional Genshin player, I believe the challenge isn’t just difficulty—it’s replayability. Genshin doesn’t have PvP, nor true dungeon raiding, and the lack of build diversity in higher floors limits creativity. The current Abyss meta leans heavily on Bennett, Kazuha, and Xingqiu, which signals a stagnation that may frustrate theorycrafters.
New Modes, Same Problem?
Recent additions like Genius Invokation TCG, combat domains, and events such as “Theatre Mechanicus” show that miHoYo is experimenting. But none fully replace the sense of a high-stakes, scaling endgame. Hardcore players want content that pushes account synergy—not just single-team optimization.
The upcoming Natlan region may shift this narrative. Rumors suggest new mechanics, elemental systems, and even boss tiers that scale with player progression. If implemented correctly, this could reinvigorate the high-level community.
The Role of Community Challenges
To keep the flame alive, many top Genshin creators have turned to self-imposed restrictions: F2P-only accounts, mono-element Abyss clears, or speedruns. These community-led innovations are admirable but reveal a structural gap in official content support for high-skill players.
What miHoYo must consider is a “soft leaderboard” system—maybe an Abyss scoring board, timed boss challenges, or even seasonal gear tweaks to keep things dynamic. These wouldn’t alienate casuals but would give veterans a reason to log in daily.