HoYoverse, the studio behind Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, has released a short teaser for a new open-world MMO built with Unreal Engine 5.
The 19-second clip on RedNote showcases a vast, hyper-detailed fantasy landscape built in Unreal Engine 5 — featuring golden rock formations, flowing water, tiny moving creatures, and distant riders and dragons that highlight the scene's massive scale and realism.
(Translated from Chinese | Source: RedNote - miHoYo Talent Introduction Agency)
The project marks a major creative shift for the company, moving from its familiar anime-inspired art style toward realistic fantasy visuals.
Project "Genesis"
According to recruitment materials, the game is internally known as "Genesis" (创世), though the name appears to be temporary.
Descriptions mention PvP combat, large-scale boss fights, and advanced systems powered by artificial intelligence—such as an "Intellectual NPC" framework, "All-Terrain Battle AI," and an "AI-Stimulated Ecosystem."
The recruitment text also hints at a narrative centered on restoring a fallen world and challenging divine forces, suggesting a darker tone and more mature fantasy setting than the studio's previous titles.
AI & Technology
Nvidia Partnership
HoYoverse appears to be using Nvidia's Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE), a tool that allows developers to create lifelike NPCs capable of natural conversation and expressions.
The studio began experimenting with ACE in 2024 to improve immersion and dynamic world interactions.
HoYoverse has clarified that AI will not replace artists or voice actors. Instead, these tools are used to make NPC behavior, environments, and game systems more responsive and believable.
Visual Evolution
The project is powered by Unreal Engine 5, enabling realistic lighting, texture, and physics effects.
This visual direction marks a major departure from HoYoverse's anime-style roots, signaling a new creative phase focused on realism and atmosphere.
Development & Progress
Early Stage
The MMO is still in early development, with no official title, platform, or release window announced.
HoYoverse began hiring UE 5 specialists in 2024, suggesting that development has been ongoing for roughly a year.
Given the scale of the project, a release is likely several years away.
Expanding Portfolio
This new game joins several other in-progress HoYoverse titles, including the upcoming Honkai: Nexus Anima and life simulation game Petit Planet.
The studio currently supports five active live-service games and continues to expand its global presence.
Market Outlook
MMO development remains one of the most difficult challenges in gaming, with many studios struggling to maintain success.
However, HoYoverse's strong financial position from its live-service titles gives it a rare advantage.
If the company can blend its storytelling strength with large-scale online systems, this project could set a new benchmark for open-world MMOs built with advanced AI and Unreal Engine 5 technology.
Editor's Comments
HoYoverse's move toward a realistic MMO is a bold but logical next step.
After years of success with anime-style worlds, the studio seems ready to challenge Western titles like Black Desert Online and New World.
The use of AI-driven NPCs and ecosystems could give the game a dynamic edge—something few MMOs have achieved despite attempts in Starfield and Cyberpunk 2077. If these systems work as intended, HoYoverse may set a new standard for immersive worldbuilding.
The teaser's visual quality has also sparked debate. Some players worry that the high level of detail might demand powerful hardware, making it harder to reach HoYoverse's large mobile audience.
The studio will likely need scalable graphics or cloud support to keep the experience accessible across platforms.
Overall, "Genesis" represents more than a new game—it hints at a shift in the MMO market. As more developers explore AI-assisted design and photorealistic visuals, HoYoverse's experiment could influence how the next generation of online worlds is built and played.
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