The
economic impact of waifus is real and quantifiable. Digital entertainment
company HoYoverse has been awarded the HoYoverse award
for "Excellence in High-Quality Development during the 14th Five-Year
Plan" by the Xuhui District Government in Shanghai. This recognition
highlights a cumulative tax contribution of approximately 150 billion
yuan (about 22 billion U.S. dollars) over the past five years.
The award
was presented during the "Investment Attraction Recognition Conference
2025", held on January 26, 2026. The award, shared with tech
giant Tencent, underscores how the company has evolved from a local
startup to an economic pillar of the region.
HoYoverse
Award Details and Reactions
According
to the commemorative plaque, the tax figure reflects not only the commercial
success of titles like Genshin Impact, but also the impact on the
local economy. Analysts estimate that the company's global revenue in this
period could have reached 2 trillion yen (approx. $13
billion).
Board
Statements
The
company's CEO expressed his gratitude after the ceremony, highlighting the
government support:
Liu Wei (CEO of HoYoverse):
"Since we started in Xuhui in 2011, we have been supported by a favorable
business environment. This district has played a crucial role in our
growth."
Strategic
Diversification: Beyond Video Games
In addition
to its core in digital entertainment, HoYoverse has invested in futuristic
sectors to diversify risks and leverage its technology:
- Artificial Intelligence: Investment in MiniMax (2022)
for language models and interactive narrative.
- Energy and Space: Financing for controlled
nuclear fusion projects, brain-machine interfaces, and civil
space rockets.
- Merchandising: Investment in Suplay for
the expansion of physical products of its IPs.
About
HoYoverse
Founded in
2011 by a group of enthusiasts in Xuhui District, the company maintains a
robust portfolio with active titles such as Genshin Impact, Honkai:
Star Rail, and the recent Zenless Zone Zero.
Currently,
the developer is working on new projects such as Varsapura, a
fantasy title with innovative mechanics, aligning with its strategy of
combining immersive narratives with highly profitable free-to-play models.
