HoYoverse's Expanding Universe: New Updates, Releases & a Steam Debut

HoYoverse is firing on all cylinders in mid-2026, delivering a wave of major updates and new ventures across its flagship titles while also branching out into entirely new territory. Zenless Zone Zero kicked things off with its Version 2.8 Special Program reveal, announcing a fresh gameplay mechanic set to shake up team compositions — and, perhaps most notably, confirming the beloved action RPG is finally making its way to Steam, dramatically expanding its potential player base. Shortly after, Genshin Impact unveiled its Luna 7 update, a landmark moment for the game as it introduces the first-ever playable member of the Hexenzirkel, the enigmatic witch council, alongside a new chapter in the ongoing Sumeru storyline. Meanwhile, Honkai: Star Rail is gearing up for Version 4.3, titled "The Lethe Below the Living," which dives deeper into the mysterious World in Canvas and makes the fan-anticipated Mortenax Blade a playable character at long last.

Beyond its live-service juggernauts, HoYoverse is also taking a bold step in a completely new direction with Petit Planet, the developer's first foray into family-friendly gaming. Early previews describe a cozy, life-sim experience that draws inevitable comparisons to Animal Crossing, though the game plays it safe by closely following established genre conventions. Together, these announcements paint a picture of a studio aggressively expanding both the depth of its existing worlds and the breadth of its gaming portfolio.

Sources