Let’s dive into the October earnings report for Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. If you’re following both games, you’ve probably noticed each has its own devoted fanbase and a unique approach to keeping things fresh. Even though they come from the same studio, the differences between the two make them both cash cows for HoYoverse—and there’s always a little competition between their communities over who’s doing better each month.
A Closer Look: Who Earned What in October?
Sensor Tower Monthly Revenue Report (Oct 2024)
byu/numberlockbs ingachagaming
Genshin Impact pulled in around $27 million in revenue last month, keeping a pretty steady pace. On the flip side, Honkai: Star Rail saw a slight drop, going from $36 million in September to $24 million in October. What’s the reason for the change? Well, it could be down to character hype—or lack of it. In September, Honkai had a major release with Feixiao, a fan-favorite character who brought in tons of players. But as Feixiao fever wore off, October’s releases didn’t have quite the same buzz.
Characters That Made (or Missed) October
So, what about the characters? Genshin Impact dropped two big five-stars: Kinich and Xilonen. Kinich’s grappling hook brought something new to gameplay, especially for exploration, while Xilonen’s Geo support abilities gave players a versatile buff. Fans are already calling her a must-have, saying she’s practically a Kazuha alternative for Geo teams. You’ll even hear folks claiming she’s stronger in some comps than other Geo support characters!
In Honkai: Star Rail, Lingsha and Rappa took the stage. Although they got a warm welcome, they didn’t cause the frenzy Feixiao did last month. Plus, with Topaz and Imbibitor Lunae returning in a re-run banner, longtime players were excited to see their favorites back but maybe weren’t throwing cash at the screen quite as eagerly as they did for the new releases.
Fan Reactions: Excitement or… Meh?
What’s the verdict from the fanbase? In the Genshin community, reactions are mostly positive. One Reddit user called Xilonen “the support we’ve been waiting for!” But some players pointed out that while Kinich’s mechanics are fun, he doesn’t bring the same combat value, so he’s more of an exploration buddy than a battlefield powerhouse.
Over on the Honkai side, fans were lukewarm on Lingsha and Rappa. Don’t get me wrong—people liked them; it’s just that after September’s Feixiao craze, anything was bound to feel a little low-key. As one player put it, “After Feixiao, anything else was gonna feel like a cool-down.” Fair point!
But if you’re already looking to next month, Genshin Impact has a rumored five-star Anemo DPS named Chasca set for a 5.2 debut. Fans are saying she could easily rival the top DPS characters, and hype is already building. Meanwhile, Honkai: Star Rail players are looking forward to a double banner in November featuring Aventurine and Acheron—two characters with dedicated fanbases who might just turn things around.
What This Means for HoYoverse’s Revenue
The earnings numbers show how character releases drive player spending. Genshin Impact held its ground in October with some smart banners, while Honkai: Star Rail saw a dip, likely because last month’s high came from Feixiao. If HoYoverse plays its cards right, though, November could give both games a boost. Genshin’s steady earnings, combined with a highly anticipated character release, are likely to keep the game solid, while Honkai fans are hoping that upcoming re-runs of popular characters will keep them pulling (and paying).
Wrapping It Up
October was a solid month for Genshin Impact and a bit slower for Honkai: Star Rail, but that’s just the way the gacha game goes. November’s releases will give us even more to talk about, especially with the hype around Chasca and the double banners in Honkai. HoYoverse clearly knows how to keep us coming back for more, and if you’re a fan of either game, buckle up—there’s plenty more excitement to come.