MiHoYo’s open-world anime game Genshin Impact was just launched last year, and it already broken many records.

The video game had an estimated US$3 billion in earnings in its first year since release. It now holds the record for the highest-earning video game in in terms of first-year revenue.

Genshin Impact tops the charts with its billion-dollar revenue

Genshin Impact wallpaper featuring Aether and Paimon. Genshin Impact is now a billion-dollar game, with an estimated US$3 billion earnings during its first year.
Credit: miHoYo

Genshin Impact has dominated not just the gacha market, but the whole video game market as well with an estimated US$3 billion earnings.

Genshin has now beaten the first-year revenues of Fortnite, which earned an estimated US$2.8 billion, and Grand Theft Auto V’s US$2.1 billion.

A huge chunk of Genshin’s first-year revenue came from mobile, with US$2 billion combined generated revenue from both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store, according to a report by Sensor Tower.

Note that Genshin’s US$3 billion-figure is only an estimate, “but is quite likely the actual amount earned based on the data available” according to data collector blaze_nijima. MiHoYo has not yet released any official data about their revenue or profit.

Taking a trip down memory lane, the game also had a successful launch back in September 2020. Genshin amassed US$250 million in just one month, making it one of the largest mobile game launches ever.

Genshin Impact’s revenue so far

A Gensyhin Impact wallpaper featuring the traveler Lumine.
Credit: miHoYo

Plenty of characters became instrumental in making Genshin Impact a billion-dollar game, including Klee, Zhongli, and the Raiden Shogun.

Of course, notable personalities have contributed to the game’s revenue as well, including League of Legends pro player Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee. BeryL spent about US$6,860 (KRW7.7M) the night he won the Worlds 2020 championship title.

The community is also familiar with YouTubers and content creators such as Michael “Mtashed” Tash and Tectone, who have publicly splurged on character wishes in the past.

READ MORE: DWG KIA BeryL reveals his favorite Genshin Impact character