CultureThe Genshin Impact studio built a new fantasy nation. Players say it’s just modern Russia

miHoYo’s “Merciless Frost” update adds Snezhnaya, a fictional country drawing on Russia, Eastern Europe, and Slavic culture. Players say its corruption, high prices, shortages, and fuel-crisis references resemble contemporary Russia; some also see Alexey Navalny in the character Alyosha.

Genshin ImpactSnezhnayaRussiagaming culture

MMeduza★★☆☆☆2026-08-18 17:49Original