Genshin Impact’s incredible journey from a small Chinese studio to a global gaming phenomenon is one of modern gaming’s most fascinating success stories.
The Birth of miHoYo
Genshin Impact was created by miHoYo, a Chinese game development company founded in 2012 by three Shanghai Jiao Tong University classmates. What’s remarkable is how these college friends – Cai Haoyu, Liu Wei, and Luo Yuhao – started by making games in their dorm room before building one of China’s most successful gaming companies.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Success
Before Genshin Impact, miHoYo was known for Honkai Impact 3rd, another successful action RPG. But they had bigger ambitions. The team invested around $100 million in developing Genshin Impact – a massive risk for what was then a relatively small studio. When the game launched in September 2020, it exceeded everyone’s expectations, generating over $1 billion in just six months.
The Magic Behind the Success
What makes this story particularly interesting is how miHoYo broke the mold of typical Chinese game development. They created a game that seamlessly blended anime-style aesthetics with open-world exploration, taking inspiration from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild while establishing its own unique identity.
A Cultural Bridge
Perhaps what’s most impressive about miHoYo’s achievement is how they managed to create a game that appeals to both Eastern and Western audiences. The team carefully crafted a world that draws from various cultural influences while maintaining universal appeal. They’ve shown that a Chinese developer can create a truly global gaming phenomenon.
The Impact on Gaming Industry
The success of Genshin Impact has fundamentally changed how people view Chinese game development. It’s opened doors for other Chinese developers and shown that free-to-play games can deliver AAA quality experiences. The game’s live service model, combining regular updates with gacha mechanics, has become a blueprint for others to follow.
Looking to the Future
Today, miHoYo continues to expand, with offices worldwide and multiple projects in development. They’ve proven that with the right combination of vision, technical expertise, and understanding of global gaming audiences, a small team of college friends can build something truly extraordinary.
The story of who made Genshin Impact isn’t just about a company – it’s about dreamers who dared to think big and revolutionized mobile gaming in the process. They’ve shown that with passion and persistence, you can create something that resonates with millions of players worldwide.
