Former Employees of Genshin Impact Developer Sentenced to Prison

Genshin Impact developer miHoYo has confirmed that four former employees were sentenced to prison for bribery and corruption activities. Since its release in 2020, Genshin Impact has seen a significant increase in popularity and is arguably miHoYo’s most recognized work. For this reason, the game hasn’t been exempt from legal controversies, but miHoYo has been known for its determination to tackle any fraudulent act that could potentially harm its IPs or business.

Otherwise known as HoYoverse, miHoYo has created some of the most prominent games in the gacha genre, including Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero. The developer isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon, with new titles such as Honkai: Nexus Anima and Varsapura already in the works. Earlier in 2025, miHoYo even revealed its plans to work on Genshin Impact for at least ten years or more. However, the company recently revealed that not all staff members have been working with the company’s best interest at heart.

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With his beta testing coming to an end, Genshin Impact players can take a detailed look on what to expect from Varka as an Anemo DPS in Version 6.4.

Why Four Former MiHoYo Staff Members Were Sentenced to Prison

Through a translated February 6 official statement on WeChat, miHoYo has confirmed that four former employees were sentenced to time in prison following internal investigations. Per the pronouncement, the members were abusing their authority and requesting bribes from partner companies for illicit gains. After being tried, they were found guilty of “accepting bribes as non-state personnel” and sentenced to time in prison. One former employee was sentenced to one year and four months, two received one year and three months, and the last was sentenced to six months imprisonment. The Genshin Impact developer reinstated its zero tolerance towards bribery and embezzlement to promote a fair business environment.

MiHoYo also mentioned a fifth former member of the Genshin Impact marketing team who was abusing their power to “seek benefits for his own company.” The developer has shared all its findings with the authorities for further investigation and also added the worker to local anti-fraud alliances’ blacklists, “permanently barring him from employment.” Finally, miHoYo shared a lengthy blacklist of former ally companies that were involved in bribery. This isn’t the first time that HoYoverse has fought fraudulent activities with an iron fist. Shortly after its release, some Genshin Impact creators were sent to jail after miHoYo found out they shared cheats.

HoYoverse is no stranger to illegal activities surrounding its IPs. The company once filed a lawsuit against one of the Genshin Impact community’s most famous leakers, UBatcha, and their large Discord server. MiHoYo’s publisher, Cognosphere, has also protected its other games thoroughly in the past. In 2025, the Honkai: Star Rail team sued a player for $150,000 after they had shared unreleased gameplay of the 5-Star character Castorice. Sometimes, leakers are able to obtain the inside information through employees working on specific games, but tracking down the culprit can be difficult for the developers. Regardless, it seems HoYoverse remains determined to continue shielding its IPs from fraudulent acts.

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On the other hand, some of HoYoverse’s titles have been quite busy in recent months. For example, Honkai: Star Rail surprised many players with a Fortnite collaboration for February 2026. The crossover will feature Kafka and Blade skins and could become one of HoYoverse’s biggest to date. Meanwhile, Genshin Impact‘s ongoing Luna IV update recently launched its Lantern Rite, one of the most anticipated annual events. The game’s current Nod-Krai storyline is far from over as well, and the next patch is expected for later this month. There are rumors that Genshin Impact‘s next character banners could bring back fan-favorite Skirk and Flins alongside Varka’s debut. Players will be able to find out more about the update during the next official livestream, set for February 16.