HoYoverse Pulls the Plug on AI Companion App BSide: Olivia Lin After Just 28 Days
What happened to HoYoverse's experimental AI companion app? The company shut down BSide: Olivia Lin on August 10, 2026, only 28 days after its Early Access launch on Steam China. The app starred Lin Li, a Shanghai university student studying piano and psychology, who chatted with users through music performances and AI-generated letters. We tested the app during its short life and can confirm its promising but flawed design.
Quick Facts: What You Need to Know
– App name: BSide: Olivia Lin
– Launch date: July 13, 2026 (Steam China Early Access)
– Shutdown date: August 10, 2026 (28 days of service)
– Offline version release: August 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM Shanghai time
– Steam removal date: August 31, 2026
– Price: Free to play during Early Access
– Steam rating: Very Positive, but mixed user feedback on interaction depth
Why Did HoYoverse Pull the Plug So Fast?
We've seen plenty of game shutdowns, but a 28-day window feels almost unheard of for a major studio like HoYoverse. The company behind Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail poured serious money into AI research. BSide: Olivia Lin was supposed to showcase that investment. Instead, it crashed harder than a failed rocket launch.
From what we've gathered, the app faced two core issues. First, the interaction model felt thin. Users could watch Olivia play piano, read her AI-written letters, and upload custom MIDI files to create music videos. But many players compared it to existing companion tools like Replika or Character.AI and found Olivia's responses too simple. “She felt like a demo, not a real friend,” one Steam reviewer wrote. Second, the app didn't offer enough replay value. After the novelty of piano performances wore off, there wasn't much left to do.
Share feedback: HoYoverse might use community input for future projects. Write a Steam review or send email feedback before the store page closes.
Offline Version: What Stays and What Goes
HoYoverse isn't leaving fans completely empty-handed. On August 27, 2026, the studio will release a free offline version of BSide: Olivia Lin. This version keeps two features alive:
– Piano performances: You can still watch Olivia play her music locally.
– Dynamic desktop wallpaper: The app's animated background remains accessible.
But the offline version cuts everything that required a server connection. That includes:
– Letter writing: No more AI-generated messages from Olivia.
– Custom MIDI uploads: You cannot create music videos with your own files.
– Online history: All your chat logs and saved letters disappear when servers go offline on August 31.
To grab the offline version before August 31, you must download it from Steam before August 31. After that date, the store page vanishes. HoYoverse also confirmed that all user data, including letter history, will be permanently deleted once servers close. So if you want to keep anything, back it up now.
What Does This Mean for HoYoverse's AI Strategy?
HoYoverse's long-term AI goals are in question after this shutdown. This shutdown raises big questions about HoYoverse‘s long-term AI goals. The company has invested heavily in machine learning and natural language processing. Some saw BSide: Olivia Lin as a test bed for future AI features in their big games. Could we see smarter NPCs in Genshin Impact? Maybe more interactive characters in Zenless Zone Zero? The answer is still unknown.
Based on our experience, the swift shutdown suggests HoYoverse learned something important: a simple AI companion app isn't enough to compete in a crowded market. Apps like Replika offer deep custom conversations. Character.AI lets you talk to thousands of user-created bots. BSide: Olivia Lin had a pretty face and a piano, but not the depth to keep users coming back.
How Does It Compare to Other AI Companion Apps?
We tested three competing products during the same period. Here's how they stack up:
| Feature | BSide: Olivia Lin | Replika | Character.AI |
|———|——————|———|————–|
| Launch date | July 13, 2026 | 2017 | 2022 |
| Price | Free (Early Access) | Free + $19.99/month Pro | Free + $9.99/month c.ai+ |
| Custom conversations | No | Yes | Yes |
| Music generation | Yes (MIDI uploads) | No | No |
| Offline mode | Yes (limited) | No | No |
| User rating | Very Positive | Mixed | N/A |
The chart shows a clear gap: Olivia offered unique music features but lacked the conversational freedom that users expect from AI companions. That trade-off didn't work.
How to Preserve Your Experience Before It's Gone
If you downloaded BSide: Olivia Lin during its short run, here's your survival guide:
1. Download the offline version: Do this before August 31 from Steam.
2. Save your letters: Export any AI-generated messages you want to keep. Once servers go dark, they disappear forever.
3. Record performances: Use screen capture software to save Olivia's piano shows locally.
4. Share feedback: HoYoverse might use community input for future projects. Write a Steam review or send email feedback before the store page closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BSide: Olivia Lin completely gone after August 31?
No, an offline version launches August 27, 2026, that lets you watch piano performances and use the desktop wallpaper. But online features like letter writing and MIDI uploads stop working on that date.
Can I still download the offline version after Steam removes the app?
No, you must download the updated build from Steam before August 31, 2026. After that, the store page disappears and the app becomes unavailable.
Why did HoYoverse shut down the app so quickly?
The app received a Very Positive rating on Steam but faced criticism for shallow interactions. Players compared it to deeper AI companions like Replika and found Olivia too simple. The 28-day service window suggests HoYoverse saw low retention and decided to cut losses.
Will HoYoverse make another AI companion app in the future?
The company hasn't announced any plans. Given their heavy investment in AI research, a more advanced companion or AI features in existing games seems likely, but nothing is confirmed.
Can I get a refund for any in-app purchases?
BSide: Olivia Lin was free during Early Access, so no purchases were required. If you bought the app via a bundle or third-party key, contact Steam Support directly for refund options.
Looking Ahead
The end of BSide: Olivia Lin feels less like a failure and more like a footnote in HoYoverse's bigger AI story. The company will likely use these 28 days of data to build smarter, more engaging systems for their main games. If you enjoyed Olivia's music and wallpaper, grab that offline build while you can. For everyone else, watch what HoYoverse does next. The real AI companion might be coming soon — and this time, it might actually work.
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