HoYoverse’s Epic Rise to Glory: 10 Defining Moments

From Dorm Room Dreams to a Global Vision

From humble beginnings in a Shanghai university dorm room to building a multi-billion-dollar entertainment empire, HoYoverse (formerly miHoYo) has revolutionized the gaming landscape. Driven by a passion for anime, cutting-edge technology, and emotionally immersive storytelling, the company has crafted some of the most iconic interactive experiences of the past decade.

Below are 10 defining moments that chart HoYoverse’s journey from an indie studio to a global phenomenon.

1. Founding of miHoYo – The Birth of a Vision

In 2012, three students-Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao from Shanghai Jiao Tong University launched a small startup with an ambitious dream: to create anime-inspired games that fused technical innovation with compelling storytelling. Their now-famous motto, “Tech otakus save the world,” wasn’t just quirky—it was foundational to their approach.

2. Honkai Impact 3rd Becomes a Breakout Hit

After a few early projects, Honkai Impact 3rd, released in 2016, became their breakout success. With cinematic visuals, tight 3D action combat, and emotionally rich character arcs, it quickly gained popularity in China, Japan, and eventually global markets. This title put miHoYo on the map as a serious game development studio.

3. Genshin Impact Launches Worldwide

In September 2020, miHoYo launched Genshin Impact, an open-world action RPG inspired by anime aesthetics and fantasy exploration. Available on PC, mobile, and PlayStation, it shattered expectations by earning over $1 billion in revenue in just six months—and later surpassed $4 billion. With stunning landscapes, deep lore, and a gacha system that kept players engaged, Teyvat became a virtual home for millions.

4.  The Rise of : Music That Moves Millions

Behind every HoYoverse experience is a powerful emotional soundtrack. With a legacy of memorable compositions, HOYO-MiX has brought Genshin, Honkai, and Star Rail to life through music. Their live orchestra performances, including a sold-out symphonic concert in Shanghai in 2021, have since expanded to Japan and other global venues as part of the Genshin Concert Tour, showcasing the global reach of their music.

5. Rebranding to HoYoverse : Beyond Games

In February 2022, miHoYo transformed into HoYoverse , a new identity meant to reflect its broader ambitions. This wasn’t just a rebrand; it marked the beginning of a metaverse strategy encompassing games, animation, music, AI companions, and interactive digital worlds. HoYoverse now aims to craft interconnected experiences that transcend traditional gaming.

6.  Honkai: Star Rail Launches into Orbit

Launched in April 2023, Honkai: Star Rail took the franchise into a futuristic sci-fi setting aboard the Astral Express. Featuring turn-based combat, animated storytelling, and world-hopping adventures, it drew praise for its strategic depth and narrative maturity. Star Rail expanded HoYoverse’s fanbase further into Western and global markets.

7. Zenless Zone Zero: The Next-Gen Leap

From its initial tease in 2022 to its July 2024 launch, Zenless Zone Zero brought a fresh urban fantasy setting to gamers. Combining roguelike mechanics, stylized anime visuals, and dynamic combat, ZZZ reflected HoYoverse’s ability to evolve with player trends. Its availability on consoles including Xbox signaled a bold step into next-gen markets.

8. Expanding to Xbox and Multi-Platform Domination

Historically focused on mobile, PC, and PlayStation, HoYoverse widened its reach by launching Zenless Zone Zero on Xbox Series X/S. This expansion opened up access to new players and signaled HoYoverse’s intent to ensure multi-platform parity across its future titles.

9. Global Growth & Billion-Dollar Milestones

By the end of 2023, Genshin Impact had amassed over 100 million downloads globally. With hits like Honkai Impact 3rd and Star Rail, HoYoverse rakes in billions of dollars in revenue each year. Founder Cai Haoyu appeared on China’s wealth rankings, and with new studios in Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Singapore, the company established itself as a truly global creative force.

10. Building the HoYoverse Metaverse

HoYoverse isn’t stopping at gaming. It’s actively building a connected digital universe that includes AI companions, virtual influencers like Lumi, AR/VR content, and interactive storytelling platforms. With each release, they edge closer to a world where players can explore, interact, and live within fully immersive digital realms.

A Legacy Still in the Making

From college dorm rooms to the global stage, HoYoverse has become more than just a game developer. It’s a cultural architect of modern interactive entertainment. Whether you’re gliding through Teyvat, strategizing aboard the Astral Express, or fighting Hollows in New Eridu, the journey is just beginning.

Did You Know?

• The “mi” in miHoYo stands for “mobile Internet”, while “HoYo” is derived from the founders’ names.
• HOYO–MiX held its first live concert in Shanghai (2021) and has since expanded to international stages.
• Genshin Impact was the most tweeted-about game worldwide in both 2021 and 2022.
• HoYoverse extensively uses motion capture and AI tools to animate not just playable characters but also NPCs.
• Their game engine is proprietary, built in-house to optimize cross-platform performance.

 FAQs

Q1. Who founded HoYoverse?

Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao, computer science students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, founded the company in 2012, originally as miHoYo.

Q2. What does “HoYoverse” mean?

HoYoverse represents miHoYo’s global transformation into a multi-dimensional entertainment ecosystem, expanding beyond games to include music, animation, AI, and virtual experiences.

Q3. What games are currently operated by HoYoverse?

Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero are among HoYoverse’s most popular games.

Q4. What platforms does HoYoverse support?

Mobile (Android, iOS),PC (Windows),PlayStation 4 & 5,Xbox Series X/S (starting with ZZZ),Mac support is unofficial — available via cloud gaming or workarounds, but native ports are not officially available yet.

Q5. What’s next for HoYoverse?

Expect deeper innovations in:

• AI companions and virtual influencers
• AR/VR entertainment formats
• New IPs and next-gen storytelling platforms
• Deeper metaverse integration with persistent cross-game narratives

Q6. What’s the latest update from Zenless Zone Zero?

Zenless Zone Zero continues to evolve rapidly with frequent content drops and technical upgrades. The most recent major update, ‘The Impending Crash of Waves’ (Version 2.1), brought new characters, dynamic rewards, and significant narrative development to New Eridu—highlighting HoYoverse’s commitment to live-service excellence.

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