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While that is true, in Genshin Impact at least, the main game is so easy it's not really an issue unless you choose to be a min-maxer, and there's no PvP competitive aspect. You can beat the abyss full f2p, but it will take a bit longer to get there (as someone who has been a denegerate min-maxer in other games, I have no interest in pushing for it myself). The worst whales I've seen are those who get emotionally attached to a character.

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The other thing is that there's no meaningful leaderboard or PVP situations. Some gamers will whale to acquire or preserve a position as #1-on-the-charts, so hyperoptimizing for single player doesn't scratch that itch, unless you're doing some Rube Goldberg setup like self-promoting video streams demonstrating your overpowered build.

I've tossed a little money (probably about USD40 over three years) on Genshin, but I'd rather express my attachment to characters by buying an Arataki Itto oppai mousepad off of Aliexpress. TBH, I found my interest waning when I realized I had a sufficiently capable team of characters I liked, so there wasn't really any reason to go chasing characters I didn't want.

That's why I pay for Genshin impact despite I generally don't like such monetize system. There's no anxiety for the game, so I can just pay for my satisfaction.

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