米哈遊推《BSide：林離》AI美女桌面陪伴軟體，搶攻74億鎂中國陪伴經濟

MiHoYo has launched an AI desktop companion software, BSide: Olivia Lin, on Steam, aiming to tap into China’s $7.4 billion companionship economy, and plans to invest 100 billion RMB in developing AI over the next three years.

MiHoYo releases new desktop companion software BSide: Olivia Lin

According to Bahamut, MiHoYo has recently unveiled a new desktop companion software, BSide: Olivia Lin, on the Steam store. It was developed by its Shanghai MiHoYo Daohai Sangtian Technology. The product is classified as an application software rather than a traditional game, and is currently in early access.

The main character is Lin Li (Olivia Lin), a Shanghai girl created by AI. She majored in piano and minored in psychology. Users can listen to Lin Li play the piano—for example, performing songs by singer Ringo Sheena—and they can also upload MIDI files for the system to automatically generate music videos.

The software also supports text communication. Users can write letters to share their feelings with Lin Li and receive replies, and they can also enable the dynamic wallpaper feature so the character stays on the desktop to keep them company.

Image source: Steam MiHoYo unveils new desktop companion software BSide: Olivia Lin

Bringing in Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail music, focusing on an urban feel and emotional value

Chinese media Game Tora believes this slow-paced product can provide healing functions and emotional value for modern young people who are facing loneliness.

BSide: Olivia Lin focuses on AI character companionship. It is similar to MiHoYo’s previously released virtual character yoyo Deer Miao, as well as Whisper of the Stars from Cai Haoyu’s new company. However, this software places a stronger emphasis on an urban aesthetic and music, and in terms of technology, showcases natural body movements and subtle lighting effects.

The outlet noted that the software incorporates classic tracks from MiHoYo’s games, including “Fires of the Eclipse” from Genshin Impact and “Let a Heart Not Be Ashamed” from Honkai: Star Rail. The feature that generates videos from uploaded MIDI files has potential for community expansion, but it may also involve copyright disputes.

Image source: Steam BSide: Olivia Lin includes classic tracks from MiHoYo games, including “Fires of the Eclipse” from Genshin Impact and “Let a Heart Not Be Ashamed” from Honkai: Star Rail.

China’s companionship economy is growing rapidly, reaching $7.4 billion

Due to the rise in China of the awareness trend of not marrying and not having children, the country’s worsening low birth rate problem has also been accelerating. China’s companionship economy has therefore flourished as well.

According to Reuters, a recent trend in China has been paid services for having someone accompany you to go mountain climbing, for someone to run with you, or to have someone accompany you to eat hot pot. The people offering the services are often students or young gig workers, providing emotional value through social media.

Data from China’s official media indicates that the market size of the companionship economy in 2025 is estimated to reach 50 billion RMB, or about $7.4 billion. Researchers say that as many young people move away from home and work long hours, demand for emotional consumption is increasing.

Psychotherapist Sami Wong said that paid companionship gives clients certainty and helps them avoid social rejection. 24-year-old college student Tang Junxing also said that as a travel companion, he can earn 3,000 to 5,000 RMB per month, and the core need from clients is emotional value.

Planning to spend 100 billion RMB within three years—MiHoYo fully deploys AI

Besides launching companion software, MiHoYo previously participated in an investment in China’s AI model MiniMax, and founder Liu Wei also revealed at a technology sharing session in May that the company is making AI development its development focus. It plans to invest up to 100 billion RMB in the next three years to develop its own large-scale foundational models.

Liu Wei’s goal is to let AI have the ability to evolve on its own through self-developed models, thereby changing the game experience. The plan is to build fully personalized game content within three years. And the highest-level decision-makers must be on the front line of code and training to ensure technological sharpness.

However, spending huge amounts of money does not mean MiHoYo’s gamble will succeed. In the face of enormous uncertainty, Liu Wei is also candid: “If it ultimately doesn’t succeed, then I accept it—just treat it as having launched a big fireworks show.”

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