Ahead of its participation in G-STAR 2026, HoYoverse held a media briefing at Grand Hyatt Seoul on November 6. Returning to G-STAR for the first time in four years since G-STAR 2022, HoYoverse plans to welcome visitors with two new titles: 'Petit Planet', scheduled for release on December 4, and 'Honkai: Nexus Anima', which is currently recruiting final beta testers. Following recent updates shared via official livestreams and videos, Lan Huang, Country Manager of HoYoverse Korea, Sam, Global PR Lead at HoYoverse, and Seven, CEO of Global Business at HoYoverse, presented what experiences they aim to deliver to players at G-STAR.
Returning to G-STAR After 4 Years: Introducing 2 New Titles Targeting a Wider Audience
Ahead of the presentation, Global PR Lead Sam emphasized the importance of the Korean market and player community, stating, "Korea has always been a vital pillar of HoYoverse's global community, and the interest, feedback, and support from Korean players have been an immense source of strength for us. Thanks to your interest and love, the worlds and experiences we create can continue to flourish."
Seven, CEO of Global Business, shared the company's vision, noting, "Even as HoYoverse has grown into a company that stands alongside global gamers, our goal remains unchanged. We continue to pursue our mission of delivering fresh, enjoyable, and fun experiences for everyone." He then proceeded to highlight HoYoverse's major achievements.
First, 'Genshin Impact', released in September 2020, is an open-world RPG enjoyed by over 40 million global players. Beloved over the past six years, it has won major honors at events such as the Golden Joystick Awards and The Game Awards. The journey across Teyvat continues, with all seven nations now revealed. The game plans to continue its adventure by introducing even more diverse content going forward.
'Honkai: Star Rail', launched in April 2023, surpassed 10 million pre-registrations prior to release and earned multiple major accolades, including Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards. Cumulative downloads have exceeded 150 million, with over 1 million followers on each of its major social media channels.
HoYoverse's urban fantasy action RPG 'Zenless Zone Zero', released in July 2024, has surpassed 100 million cumulative downloads across PC, console, and mobile platforms. Well-received for its fast-paced action and stylish combat, the game embodies a new aesthetic for HoYoverse featuring distinct visual presentation and cartoon-style animation. It boasts over 19 million global followers across major social media platforms and communities, introduced new content and launched on Steam in 2026, and has received nominations and awards at events such as the PlayStation Partner Awards and gamescom.
Next, HoYoverse introduced two new titles under the slogan "More World, More Story, More to Discover." 'Petit Planet', which focuses on cozy, everyday stories, will officially launch on December 4 for PC, iOS, and Android. Meanwhile, the studio is also preparing 'Honkai: Nexus Anima', a collectible creature-raising adventure strategy game that features a rich, deep world and mechanics to unlock new powers through 'Nexus Battles'.
Country Manager Lan Huang then delivered the presentation on the two upcoming titles. First, 'Honkai: Nexus Anima' is the latest entry in the 'Honkai' series, set in a world where humans co-exist with mysterious creatures called 'Anima'. It is an Anima-collecting and creature-raising adventure strategy game, representing HoYoverse's first foray into this genre.
The world of 'Honkai: Nexus Anima' begins with the key concept of "Bonds." Bonds represent the force that connects paired concepts. Following the occurrence of the "Honkai," these bonds broke down and their ties were severed. The scattered power of these bonds was reborn into creatures known as "Anima" through mysterious principles. Players take on the role of a Planestrider, forging bonds with Anima found across the realm as they embark on a new adventure.
The Anima featured in the game are distinct entities deeply connected to people's daily lives. Notable Anima include 'Tsumei', born from plum branches; 'Umbrella', an unpredictable cat-like Anima that transforms into an umbrella based on weather changes; and 'Shadow', which appears only at night and moves freely through darkness. Together with these diverse Anima, players will engage in battles against other Anima Masters, explore uncharted worlds, uncover truths buried in the past, and navigate storylines involving various factions. Key characters introduced include 'Bai Mei', the current Novarch of Reality elected through a unique electoral system, and 'Olympia', the acting director of True Nexus Group's Iya branch who brought order to Iya Village.
There are various ways to forge bonds with Anima. While strolling through the main setting of 'Iya Village', players can encounter different Anima by chance and establish a bond by defeating them in battle, though some Anima require advance preparation. Players can also encounter Anima while talking to townspeople on the streets, reaching mysterious locations, or completing challenge content to meet rare Anima. Once a bond is formed, players can take photos together or give them custom names, and certain Anima can evolve after completing specific challenges to deliver even more powerful combat capabilities.
The game's key features were highlighted in three main pillars: multi-branching stories with diverse endings, a vibrant Iya Village filled with everyday life, and strategic battles alongside Anima.
First, 'Honkai: Nexus Anima' offers no fixed correct path. Every decision made by the player influences story branches and endings. As players become involved with various factions such as 'True Nexus Group' and 'Nexus Association', the plot unfolds differently depending on whom they choose to align with. While implementing a multi-branching system is a bold move for a live-service game, 'Honkai: Nexus Anima' has decisively embraced this design.
The primary setting, 'Iya Village', is realized as a lively space complete with new residential districts, commercial areas, and local landmarks. Players can dispatch Anima to operate shops and manage businesses, or ride Anima like mounts to fly through the sky or roam around town to solve puzzles.
The combat system adopts an auto-battler format where players harness the power of "Principles" to combine various Anima into automatic battle lineups. Activating synergies between Principles to unleash powerful effects and gain the upper hand is crucial, and deploying up to three characters while timing their skills appropriately serves as a key strategic element. In particular, deploying a character alongside their designated 'Companion Anima' grants further empowerments to that Anima.
'Honkai: Nexus Anima' will conduct its Final Beta Test starting November 25, with an official release planned for spring next year.
Set for global launch on December 4, 'Petit Planet' is HoYoverse's first planet life simulation game. In the 'Starsea', where connected stars form galaxies, players take on the role of a 'Planet Tender' who owns their own small planet, experiencing the joy of cultivating their planet, exploring the Starsea, and shaping a heartwarming daily life.
The core keyword of 'Petit Planet' is "Connection." Without a rigid set of rules, the core experience centers on decorating one's planet in one's own style, building relationships with colorful Neighbors, and interacting with other players. As a 'Luca Seed' grows into a tree, the planet expands, introducing new farmland, mountains, and seas, thereby expanding the lifestyle content available every day. It is designed not as a space merely to observe, but as a living environment players actively tend and inhabit.
The game features a flexible building and decorating system that lets players style their own space. Rare outfits and furniture can be obtained through 'Loomi Home Shopping', while 'Idea Cards' earned through various activities allow players to craft custom furniture themselves.
The planet is home to colorful Neighbors with distinct personalities, such as 'Winki', 'Isaki', and 'Saphir'. Talking to Neighbors or exchanging gifts increases intimacy, leading to helpful assistance and deeper bonds as players uncover their hidden backstories. Even more diverse Neighbors will continue to be added in future updates.
Through the 'Starsea Voyage' system, players can experience the fun of venturing into the unknown by exploring new regions, meeting diverse characters, and gathering new resources. Furthermore, lifestyle and exploration activities such as farming, bug catching, fishing, and mudflat shellfishing allow players to fill out their encyclopedias and encounter fresh surprises daily. Collected organisms can be displayed in the 'Curio Emporium' or used for cooking.
In the social space called the 'Galactic Bazaar', players can interact with other Planet Tenders. They can communicate and enjoy the game in their own ways, such as gathering around a campfire to chat or enjoying a dance game on stage.
Offering a fresh experience distinct from previous HoYoverse titles, the two new games—Honkai: Nexus Anima and Petit Planet—can be experienced early at G-STAR 2026, where a variety of on-site events will be hosted for visiting gamers.
Q&A
'Petit Planet' is known to be an all-ages title. How are you establishing your live operations strategy to encompass all age groups?
Design Lead Murphy: As an all-ages game, we built three systems to protect players within social features. First, even in the Galactic Bazaar, chat is only enabled when sitting in designated seats. Second, the friend system strictly distinguishes between strangers and friends. Finally, to protect minors, we implemented an opt-in/opt-out toggle switch; toggling on minor protection restricts social features, ensuring minor accounts are safely managed.
'Petit Planet' recently ran an extended test period ahead of its launch. What content received the most positive response, and what areas are being improved based on feedback?
Design Lead Murphy: The element that received the best response during the recent test was the NPC interaction experience. Players praised how Neighbors remembered player actions and engaged with them. In terms of improvements driven by feedback, we adjusted the frequency with which NPCs approach players first, ensuring introverted players do not feel overwhelmed. Additionally, while the game features many cute and friendly characters, many requested NPCs with even more distinct personalities, so we are refining character designs accordingly.
The dialogue system with AI-powered NPCs in the Galactic Bazaar was impressive. How were the freedom of interaction and safeguards designed, and how do you plan to develop this further in the future?
Art Lead Yinli Huang: Key AI features include systems such as casual dialogue with 'Shopkeeper Nalo'. We collect data only to the extent required by local laws and regulations while maintaining rigorous security measures, and players retain the right to request corrections or deletions of their personal data. We have also put safety measures in place, including options to manually toggle AI features on or off. Beyond Shopkeeper Nalo, more AI-powered NPCs like 'Amira the Rabbit' are prepared, and as we roll out these NPCs, we will listen to player feedback and continuously refine them.
'Petit Planet' has a different target demographic compared to existing HoYoverse titles, and 'Honkai: Nexus Anima' also offers a distinct feel. How do you view the target audience for these titles?
Country Manager Lan Huang: As 'Honkai: Nexus Anima' is still actively in development, it is difficult to share extensive details at this stage. We plan to collect player feedback through the Final Beta Test starting November 25 and continue refining the game.
Art Lead Yinli Huang: 'Petit Planet' certainly targets a different and broader audience compared to existing HoYoverse titles. It stands apart by catering to players who love life simulations, those who prefer cozy/healing content, and those who enjoy social activities with others. In particular, as full-fledged social features are being introduced by HoYoverse for the first time, we ask for your high expectations.
HoYoverse is returning to G-STAR after four years. What is the background and main objective behind this? Furthermore, having recently held your standalone event 'HoYoLand', why are you participating in another offline event so soon?
Country Manager Lan Huang: G-STAR is Korea's flagship gaming expo, bringing together domestic and international gamers as well as industry professionals. While 'HoYoLand' was a festival celebrating existing fans, our participation in G-STAR stems from our desire to introduce these two distinct new titles to Korean gamers first. We want to hear raw, direct feedback on site regarding the charms, strengths, and areas for improvement of both games. At this G-STAR, rather than focusing on metrics like booth visitor numbers, listening to player feedback is our top priority.
My young daughter loved looking at photos of 'Petit Planet' characters taken during last gamescom. It feels like a social game families can enjoy together, but being a mobile/online title, the monetization model (BM) is a concern. How are you approaching this?
Design Lead Murphy: All core gameplay content can be enjoyed without spending money, and NPC interactions as well as Neighbor content are provided free of charge. Families will be able to enjoy the game with total peace of mind.
Since this game involves decorating your own planet, is there a Workshop-like feature allowing players who aren't adept at design to download and use creations from others? Also, as a HoYoverse game, is there any possibility of characters from other IPs appearing?
Design Lead Murphy: A core tenet of 'Petit Planet' is that all players enjoy it equally. Decorating a planet is a means of self-expression, so we implemented a "Blueprint" system that allows players to freely apply UGC and furniture layouts to their planets. Blueprints can be shared with others, so even players who feel less confident in design can download shared blueprints from others and apply them effortlessly to their own planet.
Art Lead Yinli Huang: We are currently focused on refining the quality and completeness of the game itself, so there are no current plans for collaborations with internal or external IPs. If concrete plans are set in the future, we will make a separate announcement.
Finally, do you have a message for Korean HoYoverse fans?
Country Manager Lan Huang: We are deeply grateful for the love you have shown us, and we are pouring our hearts into preparing both new titles. We ask for the continued interest and anticipation of our fans.
