Genshin Impact Developers May Be Developing a New HoYo Game But with New Direction

HoYoverse’s bold new direction.

By Ali Usama

HoYoverse, the developers of the smash hit Genshin Impact and its siblings Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, seem to be planning to probably cook up something new that we haven’t ever seen from the company.

Since Genshin Impact’s major launch in 2020, HoYoverse has been on a roll, and released a lot of. Honkai: Star Rail hit the scenes in 2023, followed quickly by Zenless Zone Zero in 2024. All these titles offer a signature anime vibe that fans adore but things might be taking a sharp turn.

Hoyoverse hiring for a New AAA game
byu/Yenuzu inGamingLeaksAndRumours

A Reddit thread by Yenuzu hinted that HoYoverse dropped a job posting that has stirred up quite the chatter. They’re looking for a 3D modeler and they want someone who can whip up “realistic character and monster production.” Moreover, they’re specifically shouting out to 3A game enthusiasts. It hints that HoYoverse is dipping its toes into the more realistic waters of typical AAA games.

While this posting isn’t exactly explaining about HoYoverse’s exact plans, it’s a big clue. And there’s more on the horizon. Another project, rumored to be called Astaweave Heaven, seems to be brewing, and it’s pitched as a Stardew Valley-esque farming delight. But, the new job posting is totally unrelated. That means HoYoverse might be juggling at least two new games.

As for this mystery game with a realistic art style, details are thinner than a pixel, but by connecting the dots, it’s clear HoYoverse wants to veer off from its usual path. Don’t expect another open world like Genshin, a turn-based RPG like HSR, or an action like ZZZ. And while the studio’s been pretty cozy with the gacha system, this new genre shift might be the sign of a fresh start from the company.