Heartopia continues to face controversies after only nine days of launch.
What was meant to be a cosy, heart-warming experience hasn’t felt that way for many players, as Heartopia has become plagued with issues just over a week after its launch on 17 January.
The Animal Crossing-esque title offers an aestheticaly pleasing life-simulation experience with gacha elements. Players can craft their homes, customize outfits, interact with others, and take part in various world activities–a staple for the genre.
Developed by Chinese studio XD Inc., the game attracted a massive audience in its opening week, breaching 10 million players just days after launch. Despite the impressive achievement, players were left disappointed by the milestone rewards, as the developers released a redeem code granting only 10 Wishing Stars–a value many considered to be underwhelming.
The announcement post on X was bombarded with widespread backlash and disappointed comments. “You guys do not appreciate your players enough,” one user commented, while another added, “I can buy absolutely nothing with that.”
The criticism was not without reason. The reward barely allows players to purchase items in the in-game shops, as few items cost less than 10 Wishing Stars. Decorative items such as the Cash Register cost 70 WS, the Simplistic Mountain Bike costs 48 WS, and the Paper Slip Tray costs 80 WS.
Since the announcement on January 23, XD Inc. has yet to respond to disappointed fans–a surprising move, considering that many gacha developers typically follow up on such backlash with rewards as an apology.
Heartopia suffers back-to-back controversies
This recent backlash only added fuel to the fire, as the game was already facing criticism over its use of generative AI. The use of AI was not initially disclosed until players discovered AI-generated content, and pressured the developers to label it properly.
In response, the developers posted in the game’s Discord server to explain their AI usage, stating that AI was only used to redraw puzzles and translate in-game chat. XD Inc. also emphasized that AI was not used in any monetized content.
Nonetheless, the damage appears to have been done. Many players have stepped away from the game due to its AI usage, leaving negative reviews on Steam and vowing to return only if all AI content is removed. However, XD Inc has largely ignored these concerns.
Heartopia has also been heavily criticized for its awkward PC controls, with some players likening the experience to playing on an emulator. Others have called out the game for its poor free-to-play experience and aggressive gacha monetization.
