A recent leak fromGenshin ImpactdeveloperHoYoversereveals the studio may be working on anAnimal Crossing-like game as its next major project. While many fans will recognize HoYoverse as the developer of the massively successfulGenshin ImpactandHonkai: Star Rail, the studio has several other successful games in its lineup. HoYoverse has beensupportingHonkai Impact 3rdfor seven yearssince its initial Chinese launch in 2016 and debuted visual novel adventure gameTears of Themisin 2020. Now, the developer is reportedly taking inspiration from a popular Nintendo franchise for its next project.Since the release of the initialAnimal Crossingon the GameCube more than two decades ago, the easygoing franchise has grown into one of Nintendo’s most beloved properties. Each new console released by Nintendo has eventually been joined by its own exclusiveAnimal Crossingtitle. The most recent game in the franchise,Animal Crossing: New Horizons, also proved to be the franchise’s most successful, becoming the second best-selling game on the Nintendo Switch. Now,HoYoverseis reportedly looking to capture the franchise’s magic with a new project.RELATED:Genshin Impact Report Reveals HoYoverse’s Impressive Revenue for 2022A leak shared by Twitch streamer SipSipStefen first revealed screenshots of the new HoYoverse game earlier this week, tentatively referring to it as “HoYoworld.” While an official title has not been revealed, the new project is said to be a life simulation game meant to stand as adirect competitor toAnimal Crossing. The tweet would share images of the new game, though the images would end up being removed due to a copyright claim. A life simulation game from HoYoverse would be the first of its kind from theGenshin Impactdeveloper, primarily focusing on RPGs previously.
While little information was shared about the details of the game, HoYoverse has often been credited with taking inspiration from some of Nintendo’s most popular games.Genshin Impact’s initial reveal and gameplay were heavily likened toThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, with some even initially calling ita clone of theZeldagame. The RPG has also featured some events and mini-games inspired by Nintendo franchises, like itsPokemon-inspired “Fabulous Fungi Frenzy” event.
A new HoYoverse game inspired byAnimal Crossingwould look to further solidify the developer as one of the top studios in the modern gaming industry.Genshin Impactbecame a roaring success for the company following its debut, with itsgacha banners regularly earning tens of millionsin China alone.Honkai: Star Raildebuted with similar fanfare to its predecessor, toppling pre-registration records set byGenshin Impact. HoYoverse’s potential new simulation game would add another highly-anticipated game to its already strong repertoire.
