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miHoYo, now operating globally under the HoYoverse brand, has confirmed that four former employees have been sentenced to prison following bribery and corruption charges. The ruling was disclosed through an official statement published on February 6 via the company’s WeChat channel, marking another high-profile legal case tied to one of the world’s most successful game developers.
Since the launch of Genshin Impact in 2020, miHoYo has grown into a dominant force in the gacha and live-service space. With that growth has come increased scrutiny, and the company has repeatedly emphasized a zero-tolerance stance toward activities that threaten its intellectual property or business integrity.
Details Behind the Convictions
According to miHoYo’s statement, the four individuals abused their positions of authority while employed at the company. They reportedly accepted bribes from partner companies in exchange for illicit benefits. Following internal investigations and legal proceedings, all four were found guilty of accepting bribes as non-state personnel.
The sentences vary by individual. One former employee received a prison term of one year and four months. Two others were each sentenced to one year and three months. The final individual received a six-month sentence. miHoYo stated that these actions violated company policy and undermined fair business practices, prompting the firm to fully cooperate with authorities throughout the investigation.
Additional Findings and Blacklists
Beyond the four convictions, miHoYo also revealed information regarding a fifth former employee from the Genshin Impact marketing team. This individual allegedly abused their role to benefit their own company. While their case remains under further investigation, miHoYo has already taken action by reporting the findings to authorities and adding the individual to local anti-fraud alliance blacklists, permanently barring them from future employment within the network.
The company also released a list of former partner companies involved in bribery-related activities. These entities have likewise been blacklisted, reinforcing miHoYo’s broader effort to promote a clean and transparent business environment.
A History of Strict IP Enforcement
This incident is not an isolated case. HoYoverse has consistently acted against fraud, cheating, and data leaks tied to its games. In the past, individuals distributing cheats for Genshin Impact were prosecuted shortly after the game’s release. The company has also pursued legal action against major leakers, including prominent community figures and Discord servers.
More recently, the Honkai: Star Rail team filed a lawsuit in 2025 over the unauthorized sharing of unreleased character content. These actions highlight HoYoverse’s long-standing commitment to protecting its games and development pipeline.
Business Continues as Usual for HoYoverse
Despite the controversy, HoYoverse’s development roadmap remains active. Genshin Impact continues to roll out major updates and seasonal events, while Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero expand their own content offerings. New projects, including Honkai: Nexus Anima and Varsapura, are also in development.
While internal misconduct has drawn attention, miHoYo’s latest actions signal a clear message. The company intends to safeguard its operations and intellectual property, even when that means taking decisive action against former employees.
