[hakfoo]

It's funny, but as someone who's played it for a year, and yes, has spent $20, Genshin has remarkably non-in-your-face monetization. Plenty of games launch where the first screen is a sales pitch, but you actually have to look for it there. It's successful because it's a very well-put-together game experience-- smooth controls, plenty of content, a reasonable level of handholding. You've got to convince people they're actually going to have fun before dropping them in front of a credit card entry form.

[kawaiikouhai]

Oh yeah, I played Genshin for a year as well. It is a very well-polished, high-budget game with some good implementations of gameplay mechanics.

Which makes it the quintessential example of the modern AAA skinnerbox game. Polished gameplay, a good initial hook, and an addictive gameplay loop.

Which is what Justin Kan and Co. are trying to create, but have been largely unsuccessful in doing so.