Genshin Impact Developer miHoYo Pursues Realistic Graphics for Its Unreal Engine 5 Open-World MMO
Chinese developer miHoYo, best known for creating Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero, has revealed that it is developing a new open-world MMO using Unreal Engine 5. The project represents a major shift in the studio’s creative direction, emphasizing realistic visuals, advanced artificial intelligence systems, and large-scale multiplayer gameplay.
According to details shared on the ResetERA forums, the game is described as a fantasy open-world MMO featuring player-versus-player combat, large-scale boss encounters, and a complex AI-driven ecological system. The title will reportedly feature an intelligent world design where wildlife, environments, and NPC behavior evolve dynamically in response to player actions, offering a deeply immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of the genre.
miHoYo has also released an early technical showcase video that demonstrates the visual fidelity the studio is aiming for. The footage highlights photorealistic character models, advanced environmental detail, and natural lighting that take full advantage of Unreal Engine 5’s technologies such as Lumen global illumination and Nanite virtualized geometry. This presentation marks a clear departure from the stylized anime-inspired art direction of miHoYo’s previous titles, establishing a new standard for the studio’s future productions.
While the project’s official name, release platforms, and launch window have yet to be revealed, it is evident that miHoYo intends to elevate its development capabilities to rival those of established AAA studios. The inclusion of AI-powered NPC systems, dynamic ecosystems, and large-scale multiplayer interactions suggests that the company aims to create an evolving and reactive world that reflects real player influence.
This announcement comes amid a broader industry trend in China toward highly realistic and technically ambitious open-world titles. Other developers, including the creators of Where Winds Meet, have also pursued this direction, signaling a new era of free-to-play experiences that aspire to match the visual and narrative standards of premium console and PC games.
If miHoYo succeeds in achieving its technical and artistic goals, this Unreal Engine 5 project could redefine expectations for the next generation of online open-world MMOs, blending realism, immersion, and innovation on an unprecedented scale.
Do you think miHoYo’s transition to realistic visuals and AI-driven systems will set a new benchmark for open-world MMOs, or should the studio continue refining its signature art style? Share your perspective below.
