Why Genshin Impact is Missing on Steam?
Genshin Impact is not downloadable on Steam. However, it is possible to run the title’s software through the gaming platform. Yet, running Genshin Impact on a Steam Deck might get you banned.
Furthermore, it’s important to note that Genshin Impact is only supported under Windows. If you play under SteamOS, the anticheat mechanism will think you’re cheating and ban your account.
Instead, you can download Genshin Impact from the Epic Games Store.
Is Genshin Impact Worth Playing Outside of Steam?
When considering whether Genshin Impact is worth playing outside of Steam, it’s important to note that the primary launcher for the game is the ‘HoYoPlay’ launcher developed by miHoYo (now HoYoverse). There are technically no alternative launchers to access Genshin Impact directly; however, if you want to play a similar game from the same developer, you can try launching ‘Honkai Impact 3rd’ through the HoYoPlay platform.
Key points about Genshin Impact launchers include:
- Primary launcher: HoYoPlay
- Other games on HoYoPlay: Honkai Impact 3rd
Furthermore, you can play Genshin Impact on multiple devices, such as your smartphone, PC, MacBook, and Chromebook. Using GFN Cloud Gaming eliminates the need to install the game and save disk space, as the game is ready to launch instantly.
Additionally, the HoYoPlay launcher has advanced features that enhance the gameplay experience. For example, you can choose your voice-line language during initial installation, avoiding the need to download it in-game. Moreover, the launcher allows you to repair game files—including game caches, cutscenes, audio packs, and persistent files—outside of the game.
How to Add Genshin Impact to Your Steam Library?
To add Genshin Impact to your Steam library, follow these steps:
- Open your Steam client and click on the ‘Games’ menu.
- Select ‘Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library…’. This opens a new window.
- Navigate through your files to find the Genshin Impact launcher. It is usually located where you installed the game, such as in your Program Files.
- Once you find the launcher, select it and click ‘Add Selected Programs’.
Voila! Genshin Impact will now appear in your Steam library, and you can launch it directly from Steam.
By adding Genshin Impact to Steam, you streamline your gaming experience. You will have all your games in one place and can utilize Steam’s overlay feature, allowing you to chat with friends, take screenshots, and access the Steam community without minimizing your game.
Additionally, if you are on desktop mode, download the Genshin Impact installer from the official website. Then, add the executable (Genshin Impact installer executable) to Steam using the ‘Add non-Steam games’ option found in the left-down corner of the Steam UI in desktop mode. Finally, find the Genshin Impact installer in your Steam library.
Although Genshin Impact is not available on Steam directly, you can still enjoy it within the Steam ecosystem by following these steps. This feature also allows you to run practically any game on the platform while gaining access to chat and unique controller setups.
Will Genshin Impact Ever Come to Steam?
Genshin Impact remains unavailable on Steam. The only way to get the free-to-play title is through publisher miHoYo’s website, which does come with a launcher of its own. Currently, you will find only Honkai Impact from Chinese developer MiHoYo on the Steam Store.
This limitation is particularly troublesome for Steam Deck users, as there is no legal method to access the game. Instead, various workarounds must be used if you plan to play Genshin Impact on the Steam Deck.
At the moment, it’s unlikely that Genshin Impact will come to Steam anytime soon. Instead, PC users are required to access the game through a direct download via the official website or the Epic Games Store.
While the game remains unavailable on Steam, adding it to your Steam Library is still possible if you already have it downloaded. Here are the steps to add Genshin Impact to your Steam account:
- Download Genshin Impact via Mihoyo.
- Launch Steam and click on the Games button at the top left.
- Select ‘Add non-Steam Game.’
- Select and add Genshin Impact to your list of games.
One of the main reasons why miHoYo decided not to release Genshin Impact on Steam could be related to its monetization policies. By not relying on a third-party platform, miHoYo has greater control over how it monetizes its game.
Chinese developers are, however, putting more of their games on Valve’s platform, so it could be possible to see Genshin Impact eventually arriving on Steam.
Currently, Genshin Impact is one of the most popular and successful games in the gaming industry. Developed by miHoYo, this open-world role-playing game has captivated millions of players around the world with its stunning visual design, expansive exploratory world, and immersive gameplay.
What are the Implications of Genshin Impact’s Epic Games Exclusivity?
Genshin Impact will not be moving to the Epic Games store; rather, it’ll also be available on that platform. You won’t need to use the Epic Games launcher, and you shouldn’t notice anything different. No one will be forced to change their current arrangement.
While one can seek out Genshin Impact from miHoYo’s website, showing up on another storefront like the Epic Games store is just advertising. Many find this hard to believe, but most players for most games are super casual. The kinds of players who wouldn’t stumble on the game otherwise may see the listing while browsing the Epic Games store and be compelled to play.
Having it on a general storefront like Epic Games grabs players who otherwise wouldn’t have heard of it. This brings in a huge demographic. Moreover, the Epic Games store is known for its free giveaways and popular games like Fortnite. There are tons of players on the Epic Games Store, and everyone of those players will see Genshin Impact.
Opting for Epic Games might be a good choice if you already use the platform for other games. It keeps all your games in one spot, making gaming management easier. Epic Games sometimes offers exclusive deals or in-game items, so keep an eye out for those. However, the primary goal is diving into the vast world of Genshin Impact, and you can do that from any platform.
A hefty exclusivity deal between miHoYo and Epic Games to bring the PC version of Genshin Impact to the Epic Games Store is our best guess. Many ‘Epic exclusive’ games have released on some other platform alongside Epic, but Steam was left behind. This can be annoying and disruptive; it undermines their narrative that they want to secure games for their launcher.
They likely have an exclusivity deal just to stop Steam from gaining access. Epic’s targeting of a younger demographic with their giveaways aims to build a long-term library of users.
Certain perks come with different platforms, such as exclusive promotions or ease of use based on the user’s existing game libraries. Nevertheless, the core game remains unchanged, ensuring a high-quality experience no matter where you download it.
