It’s no secret that HoYoverse is one of the most accomplished developers in the gacha niche, boasting some of the highest-rated releases in the category’s history. The likes ofGenshin ImpactandHonkai: Star Railhave shattered glass ceilings in recent years, and judging from the latest news coming out of the rumor grapevine, the Chinese developer still has more ideas to add to its already impressive lineup. A new game,Starry Sky Valley, is rumored to be in the works at HoYoverse, and although not much is known about its direction in terms of narrative or gameplay, speculation is rife as to howHonkai: Star Railand other titles from the studio could influence the upcoming game.
WhileGenshin Impact,Zenless Zone Zero, andHonkai: Star Raileach have unique mechanicsthat have propelled them to global relevance, they share the umbrella of a blend between adventure and action-based gameplay.Genshin ImpactandZenless Zone Zerofavor a fast-paced RTC approach, withStar Railopting for a turn-based strategy. HoYoverse tends to work with patterns in its titles, and based on the order of its major releases –Genshin ImpactbeforeStar Railand finallyZZZ– it seems the developer employs an alternating focus. AlthoughStarry Sky Valley’s premise is still unclear at the moment, HoYoverse going down a similar route toStar Rail,or even staying the courseGenshinandZenless Zone Zerohave carved out, has ramifications for the developer’s future.
HoYoverse’s Direction for Starry Sky Valley Needs to Be Distinctive
HoYoverse’s titles typically rake in millions of dollars in revenue each month, andHonkai: Star Railhas witnessed a few months when it leapfrogged the developer’s flagship,Genshin Impact, in this area. Although the title’s financial performance is prone to fluctuation, evidenced by the$12 million drop between September and October, the underlying reasons forStar Rail’s overall success lie in its refreshing appeal as a turn-based gacha game. There aren’t many of those in existence, and as such, it would be in HoYoverse’s best interests to maintain that novelty instead of creating competition for itself.
Genshin ImpactandZenless Zone Zero’s competitive atmosphere can form a case study for HoYoverse to consider.Genshin Impactis the established figurehead of the developer’s franchises, and while it has maintained a revenue stream ranging between $20 and 30 million on a month-to-month basis,Zenless Zone Zero,despite its smaller scope, has had a tougher time living up to its lofty standards. Setting upStarry Sky Valleyin a similar manner toHonkai: Star Raillimits its potential and also lowers the titles' entertainment value.
Furthermore, in the event thatStarry Sky Valleydoesn’t go the turn-based route and instead opts for an action-based gameplay system, it may have a difficult time presenting itself as a unique option to be explored.Genshin ImpactandZZZhave that niche covered, and although the prospective new game could find innovative ways to build an identity for itself, joining the already beefy ranks HoYoverse has built in that category doesn’t bode well for originality.
Starry Sky Valley’s Rumored Simulator Premise Could Be the Perfect Solution
However,Starry Sky Valleymight not have nearly the same basis as any of HoYoverse’s blockbuster lineup. In 2023, rumors emerged of a cozy simulator title in the works at the Chinese developer to compete withAnimal Crossing. Given that cozy sims have seen a rise in popularity, with games likeTales of the Shireat the forefront of the boost, it stands to reason for HoYoverse to explore the genre at its peak.Leaked images ofStarry Sky Valleyseem to support the simulator theory, with visuals depicting a movable camera and avatars chopping down trees in an open field.
If the leaks are to be believed, then HoYoverse would neatly sidestep the watering down problem looming by following in theturn-based footsteps ofHonkai: Star Railor that ofGenshin ImpactandZenless Zone Zero. A shift in focus from the traditional action gameplay the developer’s titles tend to employ would be a breath of fresh air if it materializes, and it’s a direction that could hold promise for the future.
Honkai: Star Rail
WHERE TO PLAY
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