Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail developer miHoYo has released an AI chatbot on Steam as an experimental project. The chatbot, known as BSide: Olivia Lin, is currently only available on the Chinese Steam storefront. It is presented as Lin Li, a Shanghai student pursuing a piano major and a psychology minor who has a penchant for vinyl records, old movies, and rainy days.
Users can interact with Lin Li by listening to her play music on the piano or by uploading files for her to play specific songs. The chatbot also allows users to write letters to express their emotions, fostering a unique storytelling exchange.
This release follows miHoYo's significant investment in artificial intelligence, with the company announcing plans to invest up to $14.6 billion into AI for in-house tools. The developer has stated its intention to "prioritize AI as a central and primary means of problem-solving."
BSide: Olivia Lin is not the only application of miHoYo's AI research. The company is reportedly integrating AI into several upcoming projects. The upcoming life simulator, Petit Planet, will feature an AI-powered chatbot NPC called the Planet Life Guide. Additionally, its Unreal Engine 5-based MMO, Genesis, is said to be incorporating AI to some extent. miHoYo is also reportedly seeking artists experienced with generative AI for its Pokémon-like auto-battler, Honkai: Nexus Anima. The studio is actively developing at least four new games simultaneously, and the integration of AI tools is expected to help maintain development and update pace across its portfolio, including its established gacha titles.