Honkai: Star Rail Lead Designer Says It Will Take ‘Far Beyond Just a Few Years’ to Realize Game’s Full Potential

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2023 saw the debut of Honkai: Star Rail, a game developed by HoYoVerse, which quickly gained popularity with over 20 million downloads within a short timeframe. This initial success translated into hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues over subsequent years. Interestingly, many players embarked on this Astral Express journey following their enjoyment of another HoYoVerse production – Genshin Impact. However, the roots of Honkai’s global success trace back to a much earlier period.

The Honkai series originated back in 2011 when miHoYo introduced FlyMe2TheMoon on iOS. Since then, the team’s popularity and size have expanded significantly, with Chengnan An, the lead game designer of Honkai: Star Rail, being one of the additions. An joined the Honkai team for Honkai Impact 3rd, which debuted in 2016, a precursor to Star Rail. After a decade of development and multiple generations of Honkai games, An has valuable insights into the series’ philosophy and why it gained popularity when Star Rail was released in 2023, despite being relatively unknown in the West. We caught up with An following GDC 2025 to discuss the Honkai series as a whole, Honkai: Star Rail, and the future direction of the Astral Express.

iggn.ru: Can you tell me a bit about your role in Honkai’s origins? When did you join the team working on Honkai, and how have you seen Honkai evolve as a series since you came on board? What’s the difference between Honkai in the early days (FlyMe2TheMoon, etc) and Honkai now (Star Rail)?

As a dedicated fan, I had the privilege to step aboard the Honkai Impact 3rd team, serving as the Lead Combat Designer. My primary mission was to polish and perfect the game’s exhilarating action mechanics. It was an electrifying period filled with innovation, as we relentlessly pushed the limits of what a swift-moving action game could feel like in players’ hands. The sheer joy on players’ faces when they experienced our carefully crafted combat was immeasurably fulfilling, and it continues to influence my approach to game design to this day.

By about 2019, I moved into a more encompassing strategic position as the Lead Game Designer for Honkai: Star Rail. This shift broadened my viewpoint on game development, going beyond just combat mechanics. With this expanded outlook, our team began pondering over possibilities: Could we capitalize on our existing skills and venture into new directions for gameplay? Being avid enthusiasts of turn-based games and having honed action gameplay design skills, we posed an intriguing question – could we blend the dynamic elements from action games with the strategy and depth of turn-based combat to generate something innovative?

Honkai: Star Rail emerged as a result of a gradual development process, not only for the series itself but also for us as creators. The fundamental traits that define Honkai—compelling narratives, rich character dynamics, and immersive combat—have been preserved.

Could you share some insights into the inception and development process of Honkai: Star Rail? What factors influenced the creation of a third Honkai title? Was there any inspiration or guidance drawn from Genshin Impact or other Hoyo games during this process?

As a devoted fan, I’m eager to share insights about our team behind Honkai: Star Rail at HoYoverse. While each title we create is developed by distinct teams, the knowledge we’ve gained from previous projects in areas like technical pipelines, project development, content output, localization, and more, plays a crucial role in shaping and refining Honkai: Star Rail. This expertise has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our journey with this fantastic game.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but delve deeper into why Honkai: Star Rail stands out as a captivating space fantasy. This marks HoYoverse’s initial foray into the science-fiction realm of an “intergalactic voyage,” offering players an epic odyssey as they sail through the cosmos, discovering diverse planets, resolving conflicts, and relying on extraordinary companions for assistance. What sets Honkai: Star Rail apart is the blend of science-fiction with fantasy and mythological elements like [Aeon] and [Stellaron], crafting a rich and foreboding narrative that’s as captivating as it is perilous.

Could you tell me about the most significant difference between the initial concept and the final release of Honkai Star Rail? Were there any elements or concepts that you intended to include but ultimately had to remove?

During the game’s development, the combat system underwent significant changes. Numerous mechanics were tried out, polished, or discarded altogether until we arrived at the current version. For instance, one notable example is the transformation of the “Weakness Break Quick Time Event,” a topic we discussed at GDC.

Initially, I got excited about a concept: exploiting an enemy’s vulnerability would grant us control over selecting an action, be it an assault, healing, or assistive move. On the surface, it seemed logical, but when put into practice during actual gameplay, it ended up hindering the rhythm of battle instead.

Instead of making users input manually each time, we implemented self-activating triggers, which resulted in what is now known as “Follow-Up Attacks”. For instance, character Herta will attack automatically when an enemy’s health falls below 50%, instead of waiting for a vulnerability window.

In a chain reaction, Herta’s initial attack can lower an opponent’s health to less than half, triggering her own subsequent move. This subsequent move then exploits another weakness, sparking Himeko’s follow-up action. With just one click, a potent sequence of events is initiated.

This transformation significantly enhanced the tactical nature of fights, making them more interactive, instinctive, and satisfying. It kept the combats exciting, offering room for intricate strategies to unfold. Moreover, this is merely one of the numerous modifications the system underwent throughout its evolution.

Why do you suppose “Honkai: Star Rail,” unlike its predecessors, has gained such widespread international acclaim? What sets “Honkai: Star Rail” apart from the others in the series?

It’s been gratifying and slightly surprising to observe the warm reception our game has received. Our aim was to develop a game that was user-friendly yet rich in depth, and it’s heartening to see both seasoned players and newbies appreciating it. The blend of space-fantasy setting with turn-based combat offers a novel experience while retaining the charm that defines our series.

Additionally, there’s an unique charm in how players interact with the game’s characters and narrative. We’ve put great effort into blending humor, emotion, and excitement, and it’s heartwarming to witness these elements harmoniously unfold. Of course, top-notch production quality, cross-platform compatibility, and a dedicated team have significantly contributed to this experience, but ultimately, it’s the players’ responses that truly breathe life into our creation.

How long into the future or how extensive is your storyline planning? What strategies do you employ when balancing the need for a compelling narrative with the continuous development of the world and its characters?

In order to enhance the gaming experience for our players, we’ve carefully designed a system that governs both the narrative and gameplay development. Our stories are meticulously planned at least a year in advance, considering future planets and tales we wish to share. Honkai: Star Rail is a labor of love that we’ve been working on for five years – an ambitious endeavor aimed at revolutionizing Role-Playing Games (RPGs) for a wider audience. Currently, we’re immersed in Amphoreus, a world we’ve dedicated significant resources to. From Version 3.0 to 3.7, this is an ongoing story arc that will span across eight versions. We eagerly anticipate players embarking on this Fire-pursuit journey with us as it unfolds.

Beyond the primary narrative of Trailblaze Mission, our Adventure Missions function as much more than mere side quests. They provide a unique perspective into each realm, its inhabitants, and their journeys. For instance, Amphoreus was originally a group of city-states, yet due to the encroachment of the Black Tide, these cultures merged in the final sanctuary, Okhema. Through missions like “Where Shall We Go?”, we delve not only into the history of Amphoreus but also the aspirations, sorrows, and fortitude of its people. These narratives enrich the world-building process and significantly foster an emotional bond between players and the characters and societies they interact with.

Is it feasible to continue expanding this vast universe, plot, and numerous characters for an extended period? Does the concern arise that the game might become too complex or challenging for newcomers to grasp over time?

Creating a new universe like Penacony or Amphorious, complete with its multitude of inhabitants, usually requires over a year’s worth of work.

At GDC 2025, during the Core Concept speech for Honkai: Star Rail, it was underscored that the game is based on three fundamental design principles – Simplicity and Expandability being two of them. While emphasizing simplicity, we have designed our battle mechanics in a turn-based format, allowing players to make thoughtful decisions at their own pace. To keep things straightforward, we’ve narrowed down the selection of skills accessible to players, and even included an Auto Combat option for those who might feel overwhelmed when starting or adjusting to a new strategy. This feature ensures a smooth gaming experience for all.

Instead of just adding content, as a live-service game, Honkai: Star Rail regularly updates its universe with new worlds, characters, and gaming features. While we’re growing the game, we’re mindful not to make it overly complex or hard to understand. We prioritize simplicity by using various tools, such as streamlined character leveling and a guiding system that makes progression more straightforward. In fact, with version 3.0, players can immediately dive into Amphoreus and start the latest Trailblaze Mission without any delay.

Are you looking at the Switch 2 at all for Honkai: Star Rail? What about Xbox?

From the very start of its launch, our goal has been to draw in more gamers to our space-themed RPG by making it accessible across multiple platforms, including PC, mobile devices, and later, PS5 in version 1.4. As a live-service game, we’re dedicated to continually offering new experiences for our players, so keep an eye on our official sites for the latest news.

Are you noticing an increasing number of video games originating from China gaining popularity worldwide? Is this influencing your strategies in game development in any way?

For the first time, I went to GDC, and it was exciting to witness developers from various parts of the world interacting, exchanging ideas, and working together to elevate the gaming sector. Furthermore, I got a chance to encounter fans who were deeply invested in our game, which was truly humbling.

In my preparations for the GDC 2025 Core Concept, I spent a lot of time revisiting past development records and player feedback. This journey brought back memories of our time in this space fantasy world, but more importantly, it highlighted the vital role we play in consistently listening to our players. It’s crucial to remember that a live-service game isn’t just about delivering new content through updates; it involves a lasting promise to enhance and meet the expectations of our players.

1. How long do you anticipate supporting Honkai: Star Rail for? Are there plans to develop a fourth Honkai game in the future? What might the Honkai franchise evolve into over the next decade?

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2. Can you share your plans for Honkai: Star Rail’s longevity and any thoughts on potential future Honkai titles? What can we expect from the Honkai franchise in the next ten years?

Honkai: Star Rail offers a grand, complex universe for players to traverse. Frankly, it’s not something that can be completely uncovered or fully appreciated in just a couple of years; its potential unfolds over the long term.

What am I not asking you that you want me to ask you?

An: How about asking how I feel about the title as of right now?

We’re about to mark the 2nd anniversary of Honkai: Star Rail, coinciding with the unveiling of Version 3.2. While the game was officially released on April 26, 2023, its conception dates back to 2019. To put it in terms of a few team members, including myself, this means we’ve been deeply immersed and enthusiastic about this space fantasy RPG for over five years now.

Besides making it clear that we’ve always valued and engaged with our players, I’d like to highlight that this is a practice we plan on maintaining. We’re excited to announce some thrilling advancements – fresh content and gameplay enhancements – which we can’t wait to unveil for our community. A sneak peek at these innovations was given during the 3.2 Special Program on March 28, and we’re diligently working on refining them for future releases. Keep an eye out for further announcements and thank you for your ongoing patronage!

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2025-05-19 20:44