Genshin Impact Creator miHoYo Releases AI Companion on Steam
Genshin Impact creator miHoYo has released an AI companion on Steam, an eternal student cursed to never obtain her piano degree. The project, titled BSide: Olivia Lin, is currently available only in China and represents the first tangible outcome of the studio's ambitious $14.6 billion investment in AI technology. This move highlights miHoYo's commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its development processes, aiming to use it as a "central and primary means of problem-solving."
Meet Lin Li, the AI Chatbot
At the heart of BSide: Olivia Lin is Lin Li, an AI chatbot designed to mimic a Shanghai student who is "majoring in piano and minoring in psychology." According to the Steam description, she loves vinyl records, old movies, and rainy days. The AI companion offers users a unique experience where they can interact with her in various ways. For instance, users can listen to her play music on the piano or upload files for her to play specific songs. Additionally, they can write her letters to "express your current emotions in words and exchange a story that belongs only to you."
The integration of ChatGPT into this project has sparked some reactions from the community, particularly on forums like r/PetitPlanet. However, the focus remains on the innovative use of AI to create a more immersive and interactive experience for users.
Expanding AI Integration Across Projects
BSide: Olivia Lin is just the beginning for miHoYo. The studio is already using AI-powered tools to develop its upcoming life simulation game, Petit Planet, which features the Planet Life Guide chatbot NPC. Similarly, Genesis, miHoYo's upcoming MMO built using Unreal Engine 5, is reportedly incorporating AI in some capacity. The developer is also reportedly hiring artists with experience in generative AI for Honkai: Nexus Anima, its Pokémon-like auto-battler.
This expansion into AI is part of a broader strategy that includes working on multiple new games simultaneously. miHoYo is currently developing at least four new titles, in addition to providing regular, substantial updates for its existing gacha games. With this level of activity, it's no surprise that the studio is looking to AI tools to help maintain its development pace and innovation.
