The English voice actor for Genshin Impact character Tighnari, Elliot Gindi, has been accused of grooming underage fans, transphobic behavior, and emotional abuse by moderators of his Twitch and Discord server. Gindi has since admitted that numerous screenshotted chatlogs demonstrating him engaging in such behavior are real, and both he and Genshin developer HoYoverse have issued statements.
The chatlogs were posted to Twitter by FretCore and phiotan, two of Gindi’s moderators. FretCore shared a 21-page Google Doc containing screenshots that show multiple victims coming forward to mods about Gindi’s behavior, which included asking for inappropriate photos and videos, pursuing relationships with underage individuals, sending sexual content, and making diminishing or invalidating remarks toward multiple individuals for being transgender or asexual, including refusing to acknowledge their pronouns. He was also accused of streaming in his underwear repeatedly, allegedly standing up and stretching on camera while in this state in one situation.
In a Twitlonger apology post, Gindi has acknowledged that all of the screenshots were real, and affirmed that he also engaged in emotional manipulation by threatening suicide if victims came forward. He admits to streaming in his underwear, though he denies it had a sexual intent. Gindi also denies “knowingly” engaging in inappropriate behavior with those who were underage, or disrespecting pronouns changes. Gindi has since stepped away from social media.
Genshin Impact developer HoYoverse has issued a statement to GamesRadar+:
We deeply regret the harm and damage that happened to our fans, gamers, community and anyone affected. Both our internal teams and external partners including our voice acting studio have been working together on an urgent solution. And we will keep you posted on the progress.
Since the accusations came to light, a number of Genshin Impact voice actors have come forward to denounce Gindi’s behavior and support victims, including Aether voice actor Zach Aguilar, Hu Tao actor Brianna Knickerbocker, Raiden Shogun actor Anne Yatco, Xiangling actor Jackie Lastra, Cyno actor Alejandro Saab, and Kaeya actor Josey Montana McCoy.
“Disappointed and angry,” said Aguilar. “I have removed the stream with Elliot and will no longer be associating with him. I refuse to give someone like this a platform in any way. To use your power this way over fans is disgusting and shameful. My heart goes out for the victims of this situation.”
Tighnari was added to Genshin Impact in the most recent major patch 3.0, which added the continent of Sumaru, the Dendro element and featured Tighnari as one of the first playable characters to use Dendro. It is unclear at this time whether or not he will be recast.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.