The popular mobile, PC, and console game Genshin Impact has expanded its payment options to include Russian Mir debit cards. This update was reported by VGTimes. Players will notice the Mir logo among the available methods for in-game purchases, displayed alongside Visa and MasterCard. In addition, players can now complete purchases through the Tinkoff banking app, though reports from VGTimes indicate the service can be unstable.
Meanwhile, another miHoYo title, Honkai: Star Rail, did not show support for World maps and the Tinkoff service. In that game, Russian players continue to rely on QIWI for in-game transactions for the time being.
The reason for the changes in Genshin Impact remains unconfirmed, and there is no official statement from the developers about whether Honkai: Star Rail will receive similar updates in the future. Both games come from the same studio, miHoYo, and are part of a broader lineup set within the same universe. Genshin Impact is a role-playing online experience known for its expansive open world, exploration, gacha mechanics, and ongoing content updates, while Honkai: Star Rail offers a different cinematic adventure with its own mechanics and storylines.
Genshin Impact is set in the fantasy world of Teyvat, a realm where seven distinct nations correspond to different elemental powers and are presided over by unique deities, often described as archons within the game’s lore. The title first launched in 2020 and has since become a major benchmark in the industry for free-to-play models, cross-platform play, and live-service game design. It is available across iOS, Android, Windows, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, with a broad player base across North America and other regions. In the first year alone, the title generated an astonishing revenue that underscored its global impact and financial scale for a free-to-play title, illustrating the power of in-game monetization coupled with ongoing, evolving content updates.
Commentary from the industry sometimes touches on the rarity of certain items and how players chase them, highlighting unique drop rates, event rewards, and the long-term value of rare gear and collectibles within western markets as well as in other regions. These discussions reflect a broader curiosity about item collection, progression systems, and the strategies players use to optimize their in-game economies. The dialogue around item scarcity in Genshin Impact has become part of the game’s cultural footprint, contributing to player engagement and ongoing conversations about value, time investment, and strategy across platforms and communities.