Chinese game developer HoYoverse is expanding its presence in the South Korean market with two new titles targeting different genres: life simulation and creature collection and development.
HoYoverse Korea held a media briefing last week to introduce the key gameplay systems and release plans for its upcoming titles, Petit Planet and Honkai: Nexus Anima.
Seven, HoYoverse’s global business CEO, expressed expectations for the new titles, while Ran Huang, head of HoYoverse Korea, outlined their main features and service plans for Korean players.
HoYoverse will also showcase both games at G-STAR 2026, which will be held at BEXCO in Busan. The company is returning to the event for the first time in four years, with an exhibition space spanning 100 booths.
Asked about the company’s decision to participate in G-STAR this year, Huang said, “HoYoLAND is an event for our existing fans. We are participating in G-STAR to introduce differentiated new titles to Korean players first.” She added, “Rather than focusing on the number of G-STAR visitors or booth visitors, we are concentrating on allowing Korean players to experience the games firsthand and provide feedback.”
One of the new titles, Petit Planet, is scheduled for release on Dec. 4. It is HoYoverse’s first life-simulation game. A version for Nintendo Switch 2 is also planned for next year.
Players can create their own planets and engage in farming, building structures, and crafting furniture and clothing. The game also offers social features, including interactions with other players and space exploration. Players can obtain more than 1,000 types of clothing and furniture for free through gameplay.
The company has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) technology into the game. Using its proprietary AI model and memory system, HoYoverse has developed non-player characters (NPCs) that remember players’ actions and provide personalized responses. Players can also engage in AI-powered conversations with selected characters, including Nalo, a cafe manager.
HoYoverse said NPC interactions received the most positive feedback during recent testing. Players responded particularly well to the feature that allows NPCs to remember their actions. The company is adjusting how frequently NPCs initiate interactions to accommodate players who may find frequent engagement burdensome, while also working to strengthen each character’s individuality.
HoYoverse planner Murphy said, “The game can be played in its entirety without spending money. Interactions with NPCs and neighboring characters are also available for free.” He added that the game includes social feature restrictions to protect minors, as well as settings that allow players to turn AI features on or off.
The other new title, Honkai: Nexus Anima, is a collection-and-development adventure strategy game based on the existing Honkai intellectual property (IP). Players explore the world while collecting and raising creatures known as Anima.
Anima can be obtained through battles, missions and exploration. They evolve into new forms as they grow. Key gameplay features include strategic combat combining the individual characteristics of different Anima and branching storylines that change according to players’ choices.
HoYoverse will begin the game’s final test on Nov. 25. The company plans to release the title in spring 2027.
HoYoverse is the global gaming brand of miHoYo, a company founded in Shanghai, China, in 2011. It established its Korean subsidiary in 2020. Its major titles include Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, primarily targeting the subculture gaming market.
According to market research firm Sensor Tower, Genshin Impact generated 52 billion won in mobile revenue in South Korea during its first three months after launch. Honkai: Star Rail, released in April 2023, generated approximately 44 billion won in the Korean market during its first three months.
The two new titles differ from HoYoverse’s established core genres. Petit Planet centers on player creativity and interaction with other users, while Honkai: Nexus Anima combines creature collection, strategic combat and life-simulation elements. Unlike the existing Honkai series, which focuses on action role-playing games (RPGs), the new title aims to offer a different gameplay experience.
Industry observers view HoYoverse’s latest strategy as an effort to retain its existing subculture gaming audience in South Korea while attracting additional players interested in life simulation and casual games.
