Why Genshin Impact Publisher Has Changed On Epic Games Store

Eagle-eyed Genshin Impact fans were quick to spot that Genshin Impact’s publisher had changed on Epic Games Store from miHoYo, the game’s developer, to Cognosphere PTE. LTD. Genshin Impact was added to Epic Games Store in early June 2021, but the change, announced by the game’s developer in late November 2021, caught many players unawares, leaving some concerned about what it may mean for the game’s future. As miHoYo was slow to announce the news itself, fans were confused when they saw Cognosphere listed in their transactions, with some Genshin Impact players even worrying that their accounts had been hacked or scammed.

Fortunately, the change appears to only have one purpose: facilitating more eligible payment options globally. miHoYo is registered in China, with headquarters in Shanghai, whereas Cognosphere is miHoYo’s new proxy publishing label registered in Singapore. Upcoming miHoYo title Tears of Themis also had its publisher updated to Cognosphere. Singapore is often used by game companies as a location for proxy publishing. Tencent recently circumvented India’s banning TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps by publishing its titles under its proxy publishing company, Proxima Beta, located in Singapore, whereas Tencent’s headquarters is in Shenzhen, China.

On Youtube, Genshin Impact‘s publisher name change was dramatized for content with clickbait titles like “the end of Genshin Impact” and “miHoYo is pulling out of Genshin Impact”. In these videos, some speculated that the new proxy publisher’s location was outside of China in order to avoid regulations or censorship. However, this theory hasn’t been backed up by evidence and carries little weight as Genshin Impact is still subject to regulations in countries where the game is available, such as new regulations per China’s recent changes to gaming laws. The change seems solely focused on improving payment options for Genshin Impact fans globally, especially in-game transactions made through the Epic Games Store.

Genshin Impact Publisher Is Now Cognosphere On Epic Games Store

Much of the discourse around Genshin Impact’s publisher changing on the Epic Games Store can be summed up by a post in the Genshin Impact subreddit by user Yamusauce. Although there were rumors that the game’s publisher change was for reasons that weren’t publicized, they appear to only be rumors. The official post from miHoYo outlined the reasons for the change but it appears many players didn’t see the announcement posted on miHoYo’s website, rather than Genshin Impact’s in-game “Notice” area.

Genshin Impact’s publisher change on Epic Games Store currently appears to be no cause for concern for Genshin Impact fans. Players can continue to download Genshin Impact through Epic Game Store with a free gift. However, it’s clear that miHoYo could have announced the news in a better way. Reddit user TheWorldIsFullOfWar posted to let fellow fans know that Cognosphere was a new proxy publishing label of miHoYo’s. The comments were filled with relieved Genshin Impact players who had seen charges with the new publisher name on their statements and were concerned. Clickbait and rumors seemed to spread faster than the truth, which was much less exciting: Genshin Impact’s publisher change will allow more players globally to make in-game transactions through Epic Games Store.

Source: Yamusauce/Reddit, miHoYo, TheWorldIsFullOfWar/Reddit

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Suki Newell
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Suki Newell is a game features writer for Screen Rant and live streamer on Twitch. She resides in Upstate New York with her husband and two rescue dogs.

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