The company behind Genshin Impact, miHoYo, has officially confirmed that several of its former employees have already been arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced following an extensive internal investigation into corruption. The announcement leaves little room for ambiguity. miHoYo made it clear that anyone attempting to exploit the company from within will face severe legal consequences, regardless of their position or department.
According to the official statement, the investigation uncovered a coordinated corruption scheme involving multiple employees across critical operational departments, including Supplies, Merchandising, and Genshin Impact Marketing. These individuals abused their authority by demanding illegal commissions, accepting bribes from suppliers, and redirecting business contracts toward shell companies under their own control.
The most severe cases were identified within the Supplies and Merchandise Department, where three employees, surnamed Kang, Xu, and Xu, were found guilty of systematically extorting commercial partners. Their actions involved pressuring suppliers to pay kickbacks in exchange for contracts and favorable treatment. Following legal proceedings, Kang was sentenced to one year and four months in prison, while the two employees surnamed Xu each received one year and three months of incarceration. These sentences are already in effect, marking the conclusion of their cases under criminal law.
Another significant case emerged within the Genshin Impact marketing team, involving a former product team employee surnamed Zhang. Investigators determined that Zhang used his position to funnel business opportunities to an external company he personally founded, creating a direct conflict of interest. miHoYo responded by immediately terminating his employment and handing the case over to law enforcement authorities. As of the latest update, Zhang remains under active criminal investigation, with further legal outcomes pending.
Beyond prison sentences, miHoYo has enforced additional penalties designed to prevent similar incidents in the future. All individuals involved have been placed on a permanent internal blacklist, ensuring they will never be rehired by the company. Furthermore, any external suppliers found complicit in the corruption schemes have also been permanently banned from future cooperation. This dual approach targets both internal misconduct and external enablers, reinforcing the company’s stance on accountability.
The scale of the scandal underscores the immense financial ecosystem surrounding miHoYo. In January, the Shanghai municipal government publicly recognized the company for contributing approximately 340 billion yen in taxes over the past five years. With such massive revenue flows, the risks of internal abuse increase, but miHoYo’s response demonstrates a willingness to act decisively to protect corporate integrity.
Industry observers have noted that miHoYo’s actions set a strong precedent within the global gacha and live service gaming industry, where internal corruption cases are often handled quietly or resolved without public disclosure. By releasing detailed information about arrests and sentencing, miHoYo has signaled that transparency and legal enforcement are central to its corporate governance.
The company reiterated that its zero tolerance policy is not symbolic. It is enforced through internal audits, legal cooperation, and real prison sentences. The message is clear. No employee, regardless of seniority or influence, is above the law. For players and partners alike, the statement reinforces miHoYo’s commitment to maintaining trust, stability, and ethical standards behind one of the world’s most profitable live service games.
