Unpacking the Lantern Rite Rewards Fiasco: How Did It Start?

In Version 4.4, Genshin Impact Is Set to Celebrate the Fourth Lantern Rite Festival, a Traditional Chinese New Year Event. This Event Also Coincides with the Game’s Third Anniversary. the Outrage Was Triggered When It Was Announced That Only Three Intertwined Fates Would Be Given as Rewards, a Much Too Insignificant Number According to the Player Base. Comparisons Are Being Drawn to a Similar Situation During the Game's First Anniversary When Only 10 Intertwined Fates Were Distributed.

Review Bombing and Social Media Fallout

The Repercussions Extended Beyond in-Game Protests. Chinese Players Took to Various Platforms to Voice Their Discontent. the Discontent Has Spilled over to Other Social Media Platforms, Including Weibo and Bilibili, Where Users Are Actively Unfollowing the Game. Moreover, Fans Are Also Unfollowing Companies That Have Collaborated with Genshin Impact over the Year's, Such as Kfc, Pizza Hut, and Hey Tea.

In Response to the Discontent Surrounding Genshin Impact's Meager Chinese New Year Rewards, Frustrated Fans Have Taken Their Protest to Twitter/X as Well, Coining the Hashtag #3Years3Rolls. This Hashtag Serves as a Digital Rally Cry, Echoing the Words Said During the Special Program Livestream for Version 4.4 on January 19, 2024, Where They Justified the Distribution of Only Three Rolls by Citing the Game's Three Year's of Existence.

The International Impact: Accusations and Anger

In a Surprising Twist, miHoYo's Subsidiary, Hoyoverse, Is Now Facing Accusations of Buying Bot Accounts to Artificially Maintain Its Follower Count on Bilibili. Evidence Presented Includes Examples of Accounts with Usernames Containing "Bili" and Random Numbers, Following Only One Page—Genshin Impact. This Alleged Attempt to Manipulate Follower Numbers Has Added Fuel to the Already Intense Backlash.

Has It Happened Before?

Similar Discontent Emerged During the First Anniversary of Genshin Impact When Only 10 Intertwined Fates Were Given Out, Emphasizing the Recurring Nature of Discontent Within the Genshin Impact Community. the Incident at the Time Barely Passed by After the Rewards Were Changed, and Genshin Added a New Wind Glider and a Furnishing Item to the Rewards. This, However, Did Not Satisfy the Players They Were Insignificant Items in-Game.

Why Is Genshin Impact Getting Canceled in China? Explained

By Sophia Al-Mansoor

• Oct 8, 2026 • 4 min read

Why Is Genshin Impact Getting Canceled in China? Explained

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

Genshin Impact, the Popular Open-World Rpg (Role-Playing Game) Developed by miHoYo, Is Facing a Wave of Significant Backlash After Its Recent Announcement of the Lantern Rites Rewards on the 4.4 Livestream. the Threat of Cancellation Within Its Home Market of China Is Looming Overhead, as Fans Have Begun to Express Their Frustration Using Review Bombings and Mass Unfollowing of Their Official Social Media Pages. Accusations of Unfair Treatment and Bot Usage Have Also Been Made. Here Are the Details and Everything You Need to Know.

Sophia Al-Mansoor

Global Business & E-Commerce Reporter

Sophia analyzes international trade, startup ecosystems, retail transformation, and supply chain logistics for modern digital publications.

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