HoYoverse

What HoYoverse does

HoYoverse (legally Cognosphere Pte. Ltd., formerly miHoYo) is a Singapore-headquartered interactive entertainment company that develops and publishes free-to-play anime-style video games with gacha-based monetization. Founded in 2012 in Shanghai by Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao, and rebranded to HoYoverse in 2022 to reflect an expansion beyond pure game development, the company now operates offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Seoul. It serves a global, predominantly anime/ACG-literate audience across mobile (iOS, Android), PC (Steam, Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and — as of July 2026 — Xbox. The five core live-service titles are Genshin Impact (open-world action RPG, launched September 2020), Honkai: Star Rail (space-fantasy turn-based RPG, launched April 2023), Zenless Zone Zero (urban fantasy action RPG, launched July 2024), Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis; the announced pipeline adds Petit Planet (cosy life sim), Honkai: Nexus Anima (creature-collector adventure), Varsapura (Unreal Engine 5 open-world RPG), and Genesis (realistic MMO).

The technical foundation combines a proprietary game engine with industry-leading cel-shading and cloud-gaming capabilities, an in-house music studio (HOYO-MiX), and a community platform (HoYoLAB). Distribution is direct-to-consumer across all major app stores, Steam, Epic, PlayStation, and Xbox, supplemented by themed cafés, fan festivals (HoYo FEST across Southeast Asia), and the BML2026 multi-publisher livestream event that drew 45 million peak viewers. Revenue is generated almost entirely through in-app purchases of premium currencies used in randomised gacha pulls for characters and weapons, sustained by six-week content-update cycles; Genshin Impact alone delivers approximately $59.7 million in monthly mobile revenue (January 2024) and three franchises have surpassed $1 billion in lifetime revenue. Secondary streams include brand collaborations (Kura Sushi, UGREEN, Samsung, Sony, Kyuramen, Haidilao), music licensing (Apple Music Classical), co-produced animation (MAPPA), and licensed merchandise. The company has announced a multi-year, $14.6 billion programme to build a vertically integrated AI ecosystem spanning GPU clusters, model training, and content generation, aimed at automating live-service operations and scaling production capacity beyond human-only workflows.

Name

HoYoverse

Legal name

Cognosphere Pte. Ltd.

Website

https://hoyoverse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HoYoverse (Cognosphere Pte. Ltd.) is a Singapore-headquartered interactive entertainment company that develops and publishes free-to-play anime-style video games with gacha monetization — notably Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero — serving global audiences across mobile, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Games

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210), Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Live-Service & MMO Game Studios (MPAFAAAD)

Keywords

• Free-to-play games
• Gacha RPG games
• Anime-style gaming
• Mobile game development
• Live-service gaming

Headquarters

HQ city

Singapore

HQ country

Singapore

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Free-to-Play / Gacha Monetisation: All flagship titles operate on a free-to-play model with gacha-based in-app purchases for characters, weapons, and constlations. Players spend premium currency purchased with real money to acquire random rewards. Genshin Impact alone generates $59.7 million in monthly mobile revenue as of January 2024. Three HoYoverse games have crossed $1 billion in revenue.
2. Merchandise and Product Licensing: HoYoverse generates revenue through official branded merchandise, co-branded collaborations with external brands (electronics, food brands), and licensed product collections sold through retail and e-commerce channels.
3. Apple Music Classical Partnership: Apple Music Classical hosts over 1,400 tracks from Genshin Impact with track-by-track commentary voiced by original voice actors, representing a licensing revenue stream and expanded audience reach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

HoYoverse develops and publishes free-to-play anime-style RPG games with gacha-based monetization, distributed globally across mobile, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. The core portfolio includes Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Zenless Zone Zero, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis, supplemented by the HoYoLAB community platform and HOYO-MiX music studio. Revenue is generated through in-app purchases of premium currencies that enable randomized character and weapon acquisition, with regular content updates every six weeks maintaining player engagement.

Product overview

HoYoverse is an interactive entertainment brand providing immersive virtual world experiences through a portfolio of free-to-play games with gacha monetization. The core product lineup includes Genshin Impact (open-world action RPG), Honkai: Star Rail (space fantasy RPG), Zenless Zone Zero (urban fantasy action RPG), Honkai Impact 3rd (anime action game), and Tears of Themis (romance mystery visual novel). Expanding titles include Honkai: Nexus Anima (creature-collector adventure) and Petit Planet (cosy life simulation). Announced upcoming games include Varsapura (Unreal Engine 5 open-world RPG) and Genesis (realistic MMO with AI). The ecosystem is supported by HoYoLAB community platform and HOYO-MiX music studio. The company is investing $14.6 billion over three years in AI development for game production tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HoYoLAB: Community forum platform featuring official game information, fan art, tools, exclusive perks, and player anecdotes.
• HOYO-MiX

Products and services

• Genshin Impact Free-to-play open-world action RPG featuring elemental magic system and gacha monetization, set in the magical world of Teyvat with multiple regions representing different nations.
• Honkai: Star Rail Space fantasy turn-based RPG featuring gacha mechanics and narrative-driven gameplay across multiple worlds in the Honkai universe.
• Zenless Zone Zero Urban fantasy action RPG with gacha mechanics set in New Eridu City, featuring fast-paced combat and agent collection gameplay.
• Honkai Impact 3rd Anime-style action game with hack-and-slash combat mechanics and character collection, one of HoYoverse's flagship titles.
• Tears of Themis Romance mystery visual novel game featuring lawyer protagonists and card-based gameplay mechanics.
• Honkai: Nexus Anima Creature-collector adventure strategy game expanding the Honkai franchise universe with original characters and mythical creatures.
• Petit Planet Cozy galactic life simulation game featuring fishing, farming, cooking, and beachcombing activities in interconnected galaxies.
• HoYoLAB Community forum platform featuring official game information, fan art, tools, exclusive perks, and player anecdotes for HoYoverse's global player base.

Quantifiable outcome

• Genshin Impact generates $59.7 million in monthly mobile revenue (January 2024)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KyuramenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 July 2026Zenless Zone Zero collaborated with renowned Japanese ramen chain Kyuramen in the US market, offering limited-edition themed meals and exclusive collaboration merchandise as part of the annual food collab event 'Operation Yum'.
• HaidilaominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 July 2026Zenless Zone Zero partnered with well-known hotpot brand Haidilao in Singapore for a collaboration as part of the annual 'Operation Yum' food event.
• BilibilicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2026BILIBILI MACRO LINK-PLAY! 2026 (BML2026) brought together China's leading anime-style gaming franchises — Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, Arknights, Wuthering Waves, Zenless Zone Zero, Azur Lane, and Arknights: Endfield — on a single stage at Hong Arena in Shanghai. Concert drew over 110,000 pre-registrations, sold out nearly instantly, with simultaneous livestream reaching 45 million peak viewers. Represents rival publishers collaborating commercially.
• UGREENcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2026Official Honkai: Star Rail co-branded product collection featuring five charging and tracking devices (power banks, charger brick, retractable USB-C cable, Apple Find My compatible tracker) plus a limited collectible gift box priced at $249.99. Products sold through Amazon, UGREEN Official Store, and TikTok Shop, with display and sales at Anime Expo Los Angeles (July 2-5). UGREEN participated as official partner at HoYo FEST 2026 across six Southeast Asian countries.
• Kura Sushi USAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2026Limited-time Honkai: Star Rail-themed dining experience at all Kura Revolving Sushi Bar locations nationwide in the US from June 24 through July 31, 2026. Features character-inspired menu items (Sparkle's Shrimp Lover Monaka, Aventurine's Tamago Mayo Crispy Chicken Monaka), collectible capsule prizes via the Bikkura Pon prize platform (served over 600 million plates in the US), and exclusive giveaways for rewards members with minimum $85 spend.
• MAPPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Honkai: Star Rail co-producing an animation project with MAPPA (the anime studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan Season 3), announced alongside Version 4.2 third anniversary celebrations.
• Hatsune MikucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026Honkai: Star Rail collaborated with Vocaloid sensation Hatsune Miku to release a music video titled 'I'll make you HoYoHoYo' featuring the game's character Silver Wolf LV 999 at an arcade setting. Collaboration announced April 22 and released April 23 on Hatsune Miku's official Japanese YouTube channel. Represents one of Honkai: Star Rail's most significant music partnerships.
• Epic GamescoreTechnology or Integration · 26 February 2026Fortnite and Honkai: Star Rail crossover collaboration launching February 26th, featuring characters Kafka and Blade with their own combat powers, outfits, and UEFN island content. Collaboration includes special outfits compatible with Fortnite Lego styles and a creator-involved tournament connecting users from both gaming communities.
• Sony Interactive EntertainmentcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 December 2025Sony announced a limited edition Genshin Impact-themed DualSense Wireless Controller with preorders opening December 11, 2025 and shipping starting January 2026. Controller features design elements inspired by the game and released in multiple regions.
• DuolingominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 December 2025Genshin Impact and Duolingo collaboration from December 8 to 27, 2025 involving a limited-time in-app quest where users complete language learning exercises to earn in-game items including character avatars, namecards, and special dishes, with codes redeemable in both apps.
• LINE FRIENDScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 December 2025LINE FRIENDS and HoYoverse launched the Genshin minini POP-UP at the LINE FRIENDS flagship store in Times Square, New York from January 22 to February 2, 2025, decorated in the Inazuma theme. Event featured exclusive merchandise including collectible figures, plushies, and snow globes. This marked the first Genshin minini pop-up in the US, following an initial launch in Seoul, South Korea in Fall 2024.
• Apple Music ClassicalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2025Apple Music Classical exclusively hosts over 1,400 tracks from Genshin Impact with track-by-track commentary voiced by original voice actors. Marks Apple Music Classical's entry into gaming music while HoYoverse gains exposure to classical music audiences worldwide. Partnership coincides with Genshin Impact's fifth anniversary.
• SamsungminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 August 2025Samsung participated at Gamescom 2025 in Cologne, Germany showcasing Galaxy gaming devices with joint innovations alongside HoYoverse, Google, and Qualcomm. Features included Vulkan Engine adoption, chipset optimizations, and interactive tournaments aimed at enhancing mobile gaming experiences on Galaxy devices.
• HyteminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 August 2024Hyte partnered with HoYoverse for Honkai Impact 3rd PC designs, creating themed gaming PC cases and related merchandise.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Kuro Games: Kuro Games is a Chinese game studio best known for Punishing: Gray Raven and Wuthering Waves, an open-world anime-style action RPG that directly competes with Genshin Impact for the same gacha-driven anime audience and player spending.
• Hypergryph: Hypergryph develops Arknights and Arknights: Endfield, a tower defense and open-world anime RPG respectively, both using gacha monetization and targeting overlapping anime-style gaming demographics. Featured alongside HoYoverse at BML2026.
• Cygames: Cygames is a Japanese game studio known for Granblue Fantasy, Princess Connect Re:Dive, and Uma Musume, all anime-style gacha games with mobile-first live-service models that compete for similar anime RPG players globally.
• Yostar: Yostar publishes Azur Lane and Blue Archive, anime-style gacha mobile games popular globally. Operates as both publisher for Hypergryph and own-title developer, competing for anime gacha player spending.

Broad incumbents

• NetEase Games: NetEase is a major Chinese gaming conglomerate publishing titles like Naraka: Bladepoint, Onmyoji, and Identity V. Operates globally and competes across multiple genres with HoYoverse, including in the anime-style RPG space.
• Bandai Namco Entertainment: Bandai Namco publishes major anime-licensed game franchises including Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece games with gacha mechanics, competing for the anime fan gaming audience globally.
• Square Enix: Square Enix publishes major JRPG franchises including Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and NieR with gacha mobile spin-offs (Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, etc.), competing for the anime RPG audience at premium price points.
• Tencent Holdings: Tencent is the largest gaming company globally and owns significant stakes in Riot Games, Supercell, and others; it operates the largest PC/mobile gaming platform in China and competes with HoYoverse for player time and spending through published and invested titles.

Others

• miHoYo (legacy entity): HoYoverse was rebranded from miHoYo in 2022; the original Shanghai-based miHoYo entity remains the historical operating company that built Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, and the original Honkai franchise.

Emerging players

• Epic Games: Epic Games operates Fortnite, which has expanded into anime and live-service crossover content (e.g., the Honkai: Star Rail collaboration). Represents a cross-platform live-service competitor with strong cross-IP collaboration capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HoYoverse
• Facebookfacebook.com/HoYoverse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hoyoverse

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HoYoverse