miHoYo, the studio behind Genshin Impact, has recently revealed plans to shut down the servers for its experimental AI-companion game BSide: Olivia Lin, stating the decision is part of “phased planning and future arrangements.” The game will be taken down from Steam on August 31, while an offline version is set to launch on August 27.
BSide: Olivia Lin is a generative AI-driven companion application that allows users to interact with Lin Li, a fictional university student from Shanghai who studies piano and psychology. The experience includes listening to Lin’s live piano performances, seeking creative guidance, exchanging letters, and uploading personal music files to create music videos.
The title first appeared in Early Access on July 13 and has accumulated over 1,500 Steam reviews, earning an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. Initially, the game was slated to remain in Early Access until late 2026, but miHoYo has opted to conclude its services sooner than planned.
The offline version of BSide: Olivia Lin, arriving just four days prior to its Steam removal, will let players continue enjoying Lin Li’s piano performances and includes dynamic desktop wallpapers. However, features dependent on online services—such as MIDI uploads and letter composition—will be unavailable. The developers also note that the offline version will only be available for download until August 31, when it will be removed from the Steam store alongside the main game.