HoYoverse’s ‘Starry Sky Valley’ Game Rumors Explained

HoYoverse has notched several hits under their belts with Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and now Zenless Zone Zero. But reports have suggested that another installment, Starry Sky Valley, is on its way. Starry Sky Valley also seems to diverge from HoYoverse’s roster so far genre-wise, making it an interesting addition to the brand.

Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero have all skyrocketed in popularity since their respective launches. All of these games from Chinese developer HoYoverse, formerly known as miHoYo, fall somewhat under the action-adventure role-playing genre. However, information on Starry Sky Valley suggests that it won’t follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and instead shift genres entirely.

How Starry Sky Valley Was Uncovered

Starry Sky Valley’s title was first leaked after the phrase was trademarked by HoYoverse with the Chinese government. It should be noted that this name may change once the game is officially announced by HoYoverse as Starry Sky Valley is a rough and literal translation of the Chinese trademark. The leak and translation came from known HoYoverse leaker @hxgdiluc on X (formerly known as Twitter). The X user also posted screenshots of a Bilibili account, a popular Chinese streaming platform, registered with Starry Sky Valley.

HoYoverse has yet to officially announce the game or comment on any leaks relating to the alleged title. Rumors of an Animal Crossing competitor from HoYoverse have been raging since a series of leaks back in 2023. It seems that Starry Sky Valley is this alleged simulation game, adding yet another cozy game to the genre.

Considering the increased popularity of cozy games and the mass revenue HoYoverse receives from its other titles, creating a simulation game seems like a smart move for the Chinese developer. Starry Sky Valley leakers might not benefit from the buzz they’re generating for HoYoverse, as the company is known for taking legal action against leakers. Nevertheless, these rumors have generated intense excitement among HoYoverse’s fan base which the developer may lean into.

New Developments in Starry Sky Valley

A select few HoYoverse fans have received mysterious emails from the studio, inviting them to a confidential play test for an unknown game. Reports list the playtest to occur the weekend of November 16 and 17 onsite in Los Angeles, California. No information on the game’s content is mentioned in the email, meaning the playtest could be for a new HoYoverse title or a preexisting one. Regardless, the contents of the game seem fairly juicy as players will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement if they participate. They will also receive an Amazon gift card as compensation.

With rumors about Starry Sky Valley circulating for over a year, it seems reasonable that HoYoverse would try to release the game as soon as possible. At the very least, testing for the game seems like a move that would quench the thirst of leakers in Hoyoverse’s fanbase.

Images from Starry Sky Valley Have Been Leaked Previously

Leaked images from the game have shown avatars in HoYoverse’s classic chibi art style frolicking through an open field to chop down trees. These chopping animations and leaked images of the game’s crafting interface are incredibly derivative of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, further evidence that HoYoverse may be trying to compete with the longstanding Nintendo franchise.

However, unlike the Nintendo property, Starry Sky Valley’s visuals seem to feature a movable camera. This is a mechanic that Animal Crossing does not have, with cameras always being fixed. Perhaps Starry Sky Valley will focus on improving upon established parts of Animal Crossing as part of the game’s draw.

Ultimately, this upcoming play test will either confirm or negate Starry Sky Valley’s leaks. HoYoverse fans will have to wait until the playtest begins on November 16 for new leaked information about the developer’s next title.