A new game developed by miHoYo, the creator of Genshin Impact, has taken the gaming industry by storm in China. With the recent easing of restrictions on the industry, this highly anticipated release has already become the most downloaded app in the country.
This successful debut sets a positive precedent for other games that are scheduled to launch this summer in the world’s largest video games market.
The strategy game “Honkai: Star Rail” by miHoYo, which features anime characters battling space monsters, has garnered an impressive 20 million downloads across smartphones and personal computers since its release. Within just five hours of publication, the game achieved over 1.6 million downloads on smartphones in China, and a total of 5.8 million downloads worldwide, according to App Magic, a data firm specializing in app analytics.
In addition, “Honkai: Star Rail” has secured the title of most downloaded game on Apple devices in 21 different markets, including the US and Japan, as reported by SensorTower.
Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad praised its success, stating on Twitter that the game has already broken records by reaching the number one spot on the iOS game download chart in more countries than any other game before it.
The publishing license for “Honkai: Star Rail” was obtained in January from Beijing, after a suspension on game approvals was lifted. The gaming industry had faced allegations of contributing to gaming addiction among the country’s youth, leading to the temporary ban in 2021. However, game approvals resumed in April 2022, allowing industry giants like Tencent Holdings and NetEase to prepare for their highly anticipated summer releases.
“2023 is expected to bring significant growth for Chinese gaming companies, especially those with licenses for blockbuster titles,” commented Ivan Su, an analyst at Morningstar.
Tencent, the world’s largest gaming company, faced scrutiny during the crackdown but has rebounded with successful releases. In February, they launched the shooting game “Undawn,” featuring Hollywood star Will Smith as its ambassador. The game has already earned over $20 million since its launch.
Furthermore, Tencent plans to test the action game Valorant in May before its official release later this year. The company also intends to invest in launching an esports league in China for this game.
The release of “Honkai: Star Rail” comes nearly three years after miHoYo’s last major game, Genshin Impact, which became one of the world’s most profitable games, generating over $4 billion in revenue by 2022.
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Basant Kasayap is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Bollywood to regional cinema, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
