I had a viewer recently ask me, "How do you do it?"—in reference to how I've maintained my passion for Genshin Impact after four years. The best answer I could give them is this: I don't love Genshin Impact, I love Teyvat. I began playing Genshin Impact because the world intrigued me. I have every recorded piece of content on this game, from Day 1 up until now, and I’ve maintained a steady enthusiasm for it. The reason for this is simple: I know the world of Teyvat so well, and yet there’s still so much more left to uncover. I’ve read more in-game books than real-world ones. Though I never went to college, I have four years' worth of notebooks filled with names, places, historical events, and musings about a world that continues to captivate me. I’ve even created Google spreadsheets to catalog weapons, artifacts, and items just so I can nerd out and share the lore on stream with my community. I’ve also conquered my fear of reading out loud by streaming myself reading every single world quest, despite struggling with dyslexia. I’m not blind to the flaws of the game, and I’ve never claimed it’s perfect—because no game is. But perfection is not what I seek. What I’m after is a game I can care about, a world to explore, characters to bond with, lore to dive into, music to replay endlessly, and a community with whom I can have deep conversations about the world of Teyvat—beyond just the latest voiced content. A few years ago, I was known in the RWBY community for my reactions and reviews on the animated series, to the point where I was acknowledged and shouted out by the production studio, Rooster Teeth (RIP). The series in its beginning, although low-budget, was something I fell in love with for its world and characters. As the show gained mainstream popularity, the same enthusiasm I once had was met with criticism, with people questioning how I could enjoy it when they no longer did. I was no longer allowed to simply enjoy something on my own terms. I was expected to join the chorus of complaints. It became apparent that my genuine excitement was a problem for others simply because it didn’t align with their frustrations. That sentiment, unfortunately, has resurfaced in the Genshin Impact community. Whenever a new Archon quest comes around, it feels as if any praise or enjoyment of the game is met with cynicism, especially now that vocal factions of the community voice their discontent with certain aspects of the game. The recent criticisms surrounding Natlan’s Archon Quest were a prime example. I liked it, but to some, that makes me the problem. Why? Just because I continue to find joy in the game while others may not? Why is that my issue? To be clear, my voice as a Genshin content creator is far from the loudest. I fully acknowledge and respect the criticisms others have of the game. Every change in Genshin Impact has been in response to the community’s concerns, from resin issues and adjustments on weapon banners to the annual free 5-star selector. These changes may not have come as quickly as some would have liked, but they have always been appreciated in the context of my journey through the game’s world and story. Constructive criticism has always been valid. But what frustrates me is the assumption that because I’m not on the "Genshin Sucks" bandwagon, I must be a shill, driven by anything other than a genuine love for the game. I’ve been doing my thing, for four years, enjoying the game on my own terms, with my own perspective. Natlan’s Archon quest resonated with me because of the depth I’ve cultivated over time—reading the text, talking to NPCs, piecing together lore. Act 5, with its character cameos, was a reward for years of investment into the story. For me, that’s what truly matters in Genshin Impact. I’m not your average player. I’m a streamer and content creator, yes, but I was here long before this was my job. I’ve sacrificed viewership and trends to remain true to myself and my passion for this game. I worked in food service for seven years before becoming a full-time content creator. I know what it’s like to grind just to make ends meet. I wouldn’t continue creating content for a game I didn’t enjoy—because I’ve been doing this out of love for Teyvat, not for profit. TL;DR - I truly love Genshin Impact. My opinions and enjoyment of it are my own. If you dislike the game, that’s completely valid, and I sincerely hope things improve for you. But don’t rain on my parade just because I continue to find joy in a game that has given me so much. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Let me have my treasure.