What it is
Genshin Impact is free to download and you can wander, fight, and finish a lot of the story without paying. The shop sells currency for a random chance at a character or a weapon. That chance is the expensive part. People spend far more than they meant to, because the next pull is always “one more”.
What it costs: anything from nothing, if you ignore the banner, to a serious amount of money if a card is saved. Co-op and chat mean other players, not just a pretty world.
What to look out for
- Crystals, a Blessing, or a battle pass on a statement.
- A child chasing a character and hiding the total.
- Co-op play and chat with people they cannot name.
- A move from the game to Discord.
Ways to stay safe
These steps are for Genshin Impact. The house rules still apply on every app.
- Do not put your card details on their device. Not in the App Store, Google Play, the game, or PayPal. If you choose to pay, type the card in yourself for that purchase, then remove it.
- They can play the free story. The banner is off limits unless you have set a hard amount and removed the card afterwards.
- Co-op with friends you know, not a public request.
- No card on the device. “One more pull” is the sentence that means stop.
In the news
Published reports you can read yourself. A headline is the proof, not a set of instructions, and this page does not repeat graphic detail.
- Top-selling mobile games breaking rules on loot boxes The BBC report is about random paid prizes in mobile games. Genshin Impact sells a chance at a character, and there is no ceiling if a card is saved.
A way to start the conversation
You can say: "The world is free. The character banner is a paid lucky dip, and it can cost more than a whole game. We are not putting my card on your device for it. If someone in co-op wants another app, you leave."
Video
Parent briefing
A short video for this guide can be added by an editor. Until then, the written briefing above is the one to use.