What Gaming's story taught me about parental conflict

Never have I had such a transformative experience with a Genshin Impact quest before, and I wanted to tell you about it.

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[wen_shu]

The parental relationships in Chinese culture (from the perspective of me, a chinese person) is one that is more closed off. Parents that are so forward and stubborn with what they want for their children, and any change in that persute is not welcomed easily. Success if a very important part of the culture. It's the fear that comes from failure, not only of the dreams of the child but also the failure of the parent to bring that child to success. Gaming is a relatable character since there is a sense of being tied down from what he really wants to do. Zhongli's words to Gaming's father really hit because many chinese kids (or really anyone with these kinds of parents) see others with that freedom, and how the set path made for them has restricted their growth as a person and it really hurts as that kid really wants to live up to the expectations laid out but also would like to cut off that binding rope.

That's just from my point of view though. me and my friends talk about this a lot, actually.

[miirooYT]

This is why I love this year's Lantern Rite more than anything. As a Filipino, some parents don't listen to us nor would even give us the chance to speak our mind. In our culture, "having a conversation" to your parents equates to "talking back" which they will take high offense and they will start spitting this foul words; will say how "ungrateful and disrespectful" we are for speaking and sometimes can lead to violence. I, for one, had been physically, emotionally and mentally abused by my dad for having my own dreams and told me that I wasn't good enough and choosing a career that supports my passion will lead me nowhere. Hence Gaming story had me bawling and happy-depressed after doing it.

Also, Zhongli made me tear up too. Some parents need someone who has more authority than them to start putting sense into their head. That's the only way for them to see things on different light since some of them are so close-minded to their old ways and ideals and they never understands what it feels like to be their own "child" and living into someone else's plans and dreams.

[Rainthority]

As an Asian myself, the unrealistic part of this quest is actually Gaming and his father having a conversation at all about the issue. At least in my family, things will just get swiped under the rug, never to be discussed ever again.

[dennisdamenace]

All you need is Zhongli to talk to you parents

[EnloTheRover]

I've never had a huge personal relationship with my parents, so when Xianyun jumped into auntie mode after hearing from Paimon what happened, it felt so warm to me. Like something I always craved but never got to experience. Seeing the concern from Xianyun and the concern from just everyone really made me quite emotional. Even the advice from Zhongli was realistic and supportive for both Gaming and Yip Tak. It really healed a small part of my inner child ❤

Great video Dish! I really enjoyed seeing you open up and hear other perspectives as well!

[devilwaitss]

zhongli's part in this quest was extremely relatable to me. i needed someone to intervene, a mediating party, so that my parents would hear me. many parents think they know what's best for their kids, and it's hard to get a point across when they won't even consider your side of things. zhongli being that bridge, rephrasing the things gaming feels, and being an outside eye helps yip tak recognize that it's not just gaming who feels the way he does, that there's other perspectives. it's very refreshing!

edit: things are a lot better with my parents now, we have repaired our relationship by working with mediators!

[Pudding]

This hit hard as a chinese person and knowing that Hoyo is a chinese company with the parent-child culture we know typically surrounds it. Was nice getting to hear everyone share in the safespace.

This is what makes a great event, to bring us together like we were actually there. Not one person trying to cause problems. Whatever the writers wanted to evoke in us and aim for, they nailed it.

[jellybonesmasterfue]

Gaming needs to be protected at ALL COST

[miiinkus]

calling out your own prejudice, realizing a point of privilege, and having a humble enough heart to respond in empathy/understanding. genuinely incredible. rare.
thank you for sharing. you give me hope for others.

much love always

[KoalaTeaGuy]

Being Filipino American I was confused by why some people were upset with the story. Now seeing the other perspective I can understand why others would feel that way. 🙏 Let's all learn together

[alterluin]

No, but for real: The cutscene in Xianyun's story quest made me cry. Just having a parental figure seeing the traveler in distress and being emotionally there to care for them really just hit my in the feels.

[haamta]

i didnt realise many ppl had your reaction initally to the quest, its very interesting to hear! im Chinese with a large part of my family hving a Cantonese background. Gaming's story and character resonated so much with me, from all the dim sum references to the way he pursues his artistic dreams under pressure of familial expectations. i burst out in tears during the cutscene as soon as Gaming started performing (and continued sobbing throughout HAHA). i felt like he was able to show his artistic worth to everyone with that dance, most importantly dad, who was there thanks to our help. it felt like such a triumphant moment for Gaming. the buildup of his struggles and others helping him before rlly sold this cutscene for me. 10/10 Lantern Rite i showed it to my sister and she cried too🥹❤

[divinaaee]

As someone from a First-Generation Immigrant family, this quest hit extremely close to my heart. I myself saw Gaming's position in wanting to pursue a creative career and being told that it wasn't enough. I felt his pain and his experience with his father's rejection. Something I've learned through family therapy is that our parents want the best for us. They bring us the opportunity of easy life that already has guarantee success. Our parents, especially those who are immigrants, have experienced pain and disappointment and they don't want their kids to feel that as well. Gaming's father was scared of the rejection that could be thrown toward Gaming through his passion, so he tried to give Gaming that easy path to success. Initially, I was reminded of my white friends who grew with supportive parents and tried to help me with my family situation when I watched the group tried to intervene. They tried so hard to give Gaming a voice and while it could be irritable that it takes an outside voice to have your voice be heard, it is refreshing to see that Gaming got this help and accepted it because he saw a light at the end of the tunnel.

I mean this with my whole heart when I say this quest is beautifully written in conveying the complexity within us. I left this quest hoping for it to be this easy for all of us, to all be able to soar like the kites that use the wind to fly among the stars. I hope you all have amazing futures. Remember, you are all an important part of the universe and deserve all the love in the world. Your problems are valid and seen.

[dontevale]

I called this storyline immediately when Gaming's backstory came out, as Mihoyo has tackled stories with increasing complexity for past few Lantern Rite events. This story hit terribly hard as a Southeast-Asian Chinese.

I've always had a very rough relationship with my parents and will always keep them at a distance - I make personal life choices with input from my close friends, and it is a struggle to navigate adulthood (late 20s) without the guidance of someone who knows more about the world. I wish I had parents that I could confide in and trust but I have accepted that this would never be the case for me. My closest 'parental' figures have been people that I met at work or teachers that I still keep in contact with. My friends gave me a home and a pillar of support when I can't count on family - they have tried to speak out many times on my behalf but will always be shot down by my parents.

Family is such a core value in asian/chinese culture, where I struggle to live life on my own terms without being restricted, but at the same time having to consider that my 'rebellion' is considered an attack against the family values. The kite analogy brought up by Gaming made me cry, as I have always felt that my experiences related heavily with that analogy.

I work in the Engineering field, doing art on the side. I have never felt seen or heard from my parents for my successes in my creative ventures, and was never taken seriously about it. To have such a core part of your identity being dismissed as a casual interest and being told I would never be good enough has hurt me, and will continue to hurt me for the foreseeable future. It is hard to reconcile recognising that your parents only want the best for you (a more cushy, stable job), when they constantly put you down for your efforts. I continuously strive for creative improvement and bigger projects, but till this day very little accomplishments have made me feel enough for them, despite not forsaking my 'stable' day job per their requirements. You're right, the desire to please your parents never really go away - I think deep down I still wish they could approve of me, and I think that keeps coming back to hurt me. But giving that up would essentially be cutting family ties.

I have accepted that I will never get true reconciliation and happiness with my family where they fully accept me for who I am, so I live vicariously through stories like Gaming's quest, Turning Red, and hopefully being able to convince myself that I am enough, not for my parents, but for myself.


Thank you for your thoughtfulness and being open to our experiences and our struggles Ms Dish. It means a lot to those of us in the community.

[crimsora]

I was in the chat when this happened and I still loved that the Liyue music in the background made the whole discussion so profound and philosophical.
As an individual, I genuinely did feel weird about how some people actively disliked this quest and called it the weakest Lantern Rite. Maybe it is subjective, but I felt it was the strongest Lantern Rite and it hit home the most out of all the Lantern Rites so far. My family environment was mostly stable but I could still empathize with Gaming’s situation, yet still feel like the intervention from the Traveler, Paimon, and Xianyun was still well-founded.

[percyscam]

Wow, I didn't realise there were actually such polarising opinions on this quest. As a chinese singaporean, i knew of many people with such family situations (mine included) and I know how much it feels that parents mean well but don't listen or understand their children. Many parents believe their way is the best way, so to have someone else who is on your side come and convince them to open their minds just a little is really cathartic to watch.

I think this lantern rite quest is really a "wish come true" for many people. To have your parents actually open their mind and start to accept you, and even feel proud seeing you doing your best is something so many would live for. It may not be entirely realistic (many won't get such an opportunity), but to see it happen gives us hope that it could be possible, and maybe some courage to try.

[victorialeliveld]

I had a very similar experience to yours during this quest. At first I felt quite uncomfortable and that we were invading Gamings privacy. I was thinking about my personal experiences and how violated I would feel if my situation was being told to others without my consent. It was astonishing how my feelings changed as the quest played out and provided insight on a completely different perspective. Silly little video game quests continue to surprise me with the learning opportunities they contain and I can’t wait for more!!

[thanksglowingcoral]

It is also important to note that even though the Traveler and Xianyun did open the door for Gaming to talk to his dad it was Gaming in the end who recognised his dad's efforts and decided to stay at the table to hear him. Otherwise Gaming had already ran away before, and he was willing to immediately leave again the moment he thought they were going to have the same tired conversation. Like Xianyun said in her SQ she may be an adepti but she cannot guide though who dont want help

[tbonemuscle]

My experience with this quest pretty much mirrored yours tbh. On my initial playthrough I really bounced off the way everyone was trying to 'fix' Gaming and his dad's relationship without permission since it's something I would feel deeply disrespected by. Watching your vod and seeing the differences in culture from chat really opened my eyes to a perspective of it being welcome to some when tensions reach an impasse. Honestly a really cool experience and I learnt a lot thanks to you & your community! <3 Happy Lantern Rite ms Dish and everyone! :)

[vortexwriting]

I think it's really interesting because as someone who is estranged from my family if someone did what the traveler and paimon did to me, I'd stop being their friend. Like you said it just isn't their place, especially if we just met.

*However*

Gaming's situation is also very different, his deals with a more malleable person and a reasoning that is based a lot more on worry rather than hatred for what Gaming is doing.

I think it's just really important to ask your friend before you go and do something like this, or even reach out to the people they are away from