Early Life
Cai Haoyu was born in Jinan, Shandong province, China, on July 29, 1987. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in computers and video games. His parents, both computer subject-related instructors, noticed his aptitude early on, sparking his interest. Cai attended Jinan Baliqiao Primary School, Jinan Foreign Language School, and Shandong Experimental High School. He participated in the National Computer Competition and, at age 12, was elected to the Chinese Youth Academy of Sciences.
Rise to Success
Cai's career took off at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where he studied computer science and earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees. There, he met Liu Wei and Luo Yuhao, who would later become his co-founders at miHoYo in 2011. miHoYo's initial aim was to develop games that combined anime, manga, and gaming culture with advanced technology. Their first game was *FlyMe2theMoon*. The breakthrough came with *Genshin Impact* in September 2020, which achieved unprecedented success, generating billions in revenue and attracting millions of players worldwide. In September 2023, Cai stepped down as chairman and president to focus on research and development.
Key Business Strategies
Cai's success is attributed to his vision for technological innovation, with a focus on deep storytelling and character development. He has emphasized teamwork, innovation, and a player-centric approach. miHoYo expanded internationally, establishing a global ecosystem of games, anime, and virtual worlds. Cai is now concentrating on integrating AI and VR into game development, shaping the future of the industry and venturing into sectors like education and healthcare.
Philanthropy
While specific philanthropy amounts are unavailable, miHoYo, under Cai's leadership, has shown a commitment to social responsibility and innovation, particularly through investments in research and technology within the medical field.