Novel Game System for Existing Game (Genshin Impact)

This project explores the design of a new gameplay system and character concept for an existing game. I chose Genshin Impact, a globally successful live-service action RPG built around elemental combat systems, and created a proposal addressing one of its long-standing design issues: the low viability of the Geo element in time-gated combat content and current meta.

My design introduces a new 5★ character, Medren, and a new Geo reaction variant, Lunar Crystallize. Lunar Crystallize transforms Geo’s traditionally defensive reaction into an offensive–defensive hybrid by converting absorbed damage into reflected and detonated Geo damage. The goal was to modernise Geo’s gameplay identity, expand team-building flexibility, and increase Geo’s relevance in reaction-focused team compositions.

The system was developed through analysis of Genshin Impact’s existing mechanics, iteration on scaling and cooldown rules, and paper prototyping to test survivability, damage contribution, and team synergy. The project focuses on system integration, balance awareness, and player experience across beginner and advanced skill levels.

Please view the complete game design document PDF at the bottom of the page for details.

The following screenshots highlight key parts of the design process, including RMDA breakdown, problem analysis, system goals, narrative integration, and paper prototyping.

RMDA Framework

The diagram highlights that Genshin’s core mechanics (weapons, artifacts, elemental reactions, character progression) directly feed into complex dynamics such as team composition decision-making, pull strategy influenced by gacha monetisation, and long-term resource planning. These in turn generate the aesthetics players experience: fantasy, challenge, fellowship, discovery, and narrative immersion.

Identifying the problem

Geo’s lack of offensive relevance in modern Genshin Impact combat.

Core system explanation

Lunar Crystallize turns Geo’s defensive reaction into an offensive–defensive hybrid, adding new tactical depth.

Medren, the new Geo character, was designed to showcase the system and provide players with fresh team-building options, increasing engagement with the Geo element.

Narrative design & character concept

Medren’s narrative was written to directly support his gameplay identity.

His shield-focused kit, damage reflection, and bear-spirit burst are rooted in themes of protection, comfort, and resilience. The goal was to ensure the new Geo mechanic did not feel purely mechanical, but emotionally grounded, reinforcing how Genshin Impact uses character stories to give meaning to combat systems.

Medren

Boss

Paper prototype testing

Team A

Pure Geo - doesn't work very well for Medren

Team B

Team full of elemental synergy (vaporize reaction)

Results

ChatGPT was given all the characters stats and the rules of the prototype to run 40 simulated games, 20 for Team A and 20 for Team B. The results proved that Medren functions well with elemental synergy.

The full PDF includes the complete design breakdown, research, iterations, and paper prototype testing outcomes.

GenshinImpact_DesignDoc.pdf

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