Latest news with #HoYoFEST
Hype Malaysia
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: Malaysian Artist Kazchips Shares Journey In Creating Fan Merch & Plans For HoYo FEST 2025
HoYoFEST is returning to Malaysia next month, and HoYoverse fans have been eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated event. Not only does this mark the gaming tech company's fifth year of hosting the festival, but it will also be expanding to include more activities, a cosplay contest, and an Artist Alley. Speaking of Artist Alley, we've spoken to a few creators who will be opening up their booths at the 4-day festival. First, we have Kazchips, a Malaysian artist who has been drawing for over 15 years. While her main job is as a full-time comic artist assistant, Kazchipz continues to create and sell merchandise as a part-time pursuit — one that remains rooted in genuine fandom and joy for drawing. Let's learn more about her journey and her plans for HoYoFEST! 1. Could you tell us about how you got started in becoming a fan art merch creator? During college, I went to my first anime convention, Comic Fiesta. I saw a lot of artists making merch—that inspired me. I started from there. I was also in an illustration course in college. 2. Are you doing this full-time, or is this more of a side hustle? How many events have you done so far? Side hustle, because my luck in getting a booth is low. It's a lottery system, so all based on luck. Once you've applied to open up a booth at a convention, the organisers will then screen you before randomly selecting the creators. As for how many times I've done this, probably more than 20. 3. What are some of the challenges you faced when you were starting out? And how did you overcome them? The first time I made merch, it was bad—I didn't know where to print keychains or prints. Later, I found a printing shop and started printing there. I only got a printer last year. Also, making merch is not cheap, so I started small, maybe 15 keychains or prints. If they did well, I'd reprint. Then I'd start selling them at events. If there were leftovers, then I'd sell online. 4. What are some of the newer challenges you face nowadays as a creator? Printing and shipping costs are getting very high. I order keychains from Taobao, so shipping is expensive. I also try to fulfil buyers' demands, but I mostly focus on making merchandise of characters that I like. If there's a high demand for a character, I'll check it out, and if I like the character, I'll make merch of them, but otherwise, I prioritise my favourites first. 5. I've personally seen your work at conventions before, like Comic Fiesta AnimaGaki, so I'm very curious to know, as an artist, how you discovered your art style. I think I'm still searching for my art style. But I think my inspiration will be much more from the art comic, the games that I see. So I get my art style from there. People have said my art style is 'very cute', and so far, I haven't had any feedback about possibly changing it up. 6. Which of the merch usually takes the longest to create? What are the challenges when creating that particular piece? Art prints—the full-scale ones. The sketching part is the hardest. So whenever I feel like I'm stuck, I'll log in to Genshin Impact, walk around, look for different scenery and draw them. 7. Now let's talk HoYoverse. How long have you been a fan of their games, and which game is your personal favourite? Since MCO was lifted. I got a new phone and played Genshin. My friend recommended it. I really loved Chongyun when I first started. I also play (Honkai) Star Rail and now Zenless (Zone Zero). I think I like Zenless more. As for my favourite characters from each game, I'd say Genshin: Heizou. Star Rail: Dan Heng, the Inhibitor. Zenless: I can't pick—I love them all. Maybe Harumasa, but honestly, everyone's a favourite. 8. What was your reaction when you got the call that you would be participating in HoYoFEST 2025? I didn't get enough sleep that night. I felt every emotion. Thankfully, I'm done with all the preparations now, so the anxiety has calmed down a bit. 9. From the official announcements, what are you personally looking forward to at HoYoFest this year? For the official booth, the exhibition. And the merchandise I'm going to buy. Also, of course, Artist Alley. One of my favourite things about it is meeting new artists, people and seeing all the artwork that they make. It's fun cause most of us already knew each other from other events, so it's like seeing friends again. We love trading stuff with each other. 10. As a creator, obviously, it takes a lot of time, effort and money to do what you do, so what's your advice for those who may be considering starting their own business and be part of this community? I would say get a full-time job to support your part-time job, which is this Artist Alley. And then start small and gain more experience from that. Post more on social media like Instagram. And then maybe join the smaller event from there, you start, and then you can try again. Keep trying until you get the big event like that. Just don't be scared. Just start. Just start. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Hype Malaysia
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: Malaysian Artist Kazchipz Shares Journey In Creating Fan Merch & Plans For HoYo FEST 2025
HoYoFEST is returning to Malaysia next month, and HoYoverse fans have been eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated event. Not only does this mark the gaming tech company's fifth year of hosting the festival, but it will also be expanding to include more activities, a cosplay contest, and an Artist Alley. Speaking of Artist Alley, we've spoken to a few creators who will be opening up their booths at the 4-day festival. First, we have Kazchipz, a Malaysian artist who has been drawing for over 15 years. While her main job is as a full-time comic artist assistant, Kazchipz continues to create and sell merchandise as a part-time pursuit — one that remains rooted in genuine fandom and joy for drawing. Let's learn more about her journey and her plans for HoYoFEST! 1. Could you tell us about how you got started in becoming a fan art merch creator? During college, I went to my first anime convention, Comic Fiesta. I saw a lot of artists making merch—that inspired me. I started from there. I was also in an illustration course in college. 2. Are you doing this full-time, or is this more of a side hustle? How many events have you done so far? Side hustle, because my luck in getting a booth is low. It's a lottery system, so all based on luck. Once you've applied to open up a booth at a convention, the organisers will then screen you before randomly selecting the creators. As for how many times I've done this, probably more than 20. 3. What are some of the challenges you faced when you were starting out? And how did you overcome them? The first time I made merch, it was bad—I didn't know where to print keychains or prints. Later, I found a printing shop and started printing there. I only got a printer last year. Also, making merch is not cheap, so I started small, maybe 15 keychains or prints. If they did well, I'd reprint. Then I'd start selling them at events. If there were leftovers, then I'd sell online. 4. What are some of the newer challenges you face nowadays as a creator? Printing and shipping costs are getting very high. I order keychains from Taobao, so shipping is expensive. I also try to fulfil buyers' demands, but I mostly focus on making merchandise of characters that I like. If there's a high demand for a character, I'll check it out, and if I like the character, I'll make merch of them, but otherwise, I prioritise my favourites first. 5. I've personally seen your work at conventions before, like Comic Fiesta AnimaGaki, so I'm very curious to know, as an artist, how you discovered your art style. I think I'm still searching for my art style. But I think my inspiration will be much more from the art comic, the games that I see. So I get my art style from there. People have said my art style is 'very cute', and so far, I haven't had any feedback about possibly changing it up. 6. Which of the merch usually takes the longest to create? What are the challenges when creating that particular piece? Art prints—the full-scale ones. The sketching part is the hardest. So whenever I feel like I'm stuck, I'll log in to Genshin Impact, walk around, look for different scenery and draw them. 7. Now let's talk HoYoverse. How long have you been a fan of their games, and which game is your personal favourite? Since MCO was lifted. I got a new phone and played Genshin. My friend recommended it. I really loved Chongyun when I first started. I also play (Honkai) Star Rail and now Zenless (Zone Zero). I think I like Zenless more. As for my favourite characters from each game, I'd say Genshin: Heizou. Star Rail: Dan Heng, the Inhibitor. Zenless: I can't pick—I love them all. Maybe Harumasa, but honestly, everyone's a favourite. 8. What was your reaction when you got the call that you would be participating in HoYoFEST 2025? I didn't get enough sleep that night. I felt every emotion. Thankfully, I'm done with all the preparations now, so the anxiety has calmed down a bit. 9. From the official announcements, what are you personally looking forward to at HoYoFest this year? For the official booth, the exhibition. And the merchandise I'm going to buy. Also, of course, Artist Alley. One of my favourite things about it is meeting new artists, people and seeing all the artwork that they make. It's fun cause most of us already knew each other from other events, so it's like seeing friends again. We love trading stuff with each other. 10. As a creator, obviously, it takes a lot of time, effort and money to do what you do, so what's your advice for those who may be considering starting their own business and be part of this community? I would say get a full-time job to support your part-time job, which is this Artist Alley. And then start small and gain more experience from that. Post more on social media like Instagram. And then maybe join the smaller event from there, you start, and then you can try again. Keep trying until you get the big event like that. Just don't be scared. Just start. Just start. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Visa sponsors HoYo FEST 2025 across Southeast Asia
HCMC, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 June 2025 - Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, announced its inaugural sponsorship of HoYo FEST 2025, marking a significant milestone in Southeast Asia. HoYo FEST, organised by HoYoverse, celebrates popular gaming titles such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, captivating a global audience since its inception in 2021. HoYo FEST 2025 - Visa This year's festival will take place from 24 to 27 July 2025 at premier venues including SkyExpo in Vietnam, Surabaya Convention Center in Indonesia, SMX Convention Center Manila in the Philippines, Pavilion Exhibition Centre Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore (25 to 27 July), and The Mall Bangkapi, MCC Hall in Thailand. These events aim to bring together fans for an immersive experience featuring live in-game excitement, community engagement, and gathering of a passionate fandom. Visa will enhance the festival experience for cardholders, who will enjoy an expedited payment lane and exclusive freebie at the merchandise store, and reserved seating at the stage area. Vietnam's gaming industry is on an impressive growth trajectory, supported by a tech-savvy population and enhanced digital connectivity. According to Visa's data[1], Vietnamese consumers are actively using credit and debit cards to engage with international gaming platforms, purchasing virtual currencies and game expansions. This behavior underscores Vietnam's integration into the global gaming ecosystem and highlights its potential as a significant contributor to the industry's ongoing expansion. 'We are proud to partner with HoYo FEST for the first time, supporting an event that aligns with Visa's commitment to innovation and enhancing the consumer experience. Visa's comprehensive payment solutions are designed to meet the needs of today's gamers, ensuring fast, reliable, seamless, and secure transactions. Our partnership with HoYo FEST demonstrates our commitment to supporting the dynamic gaming ecosystem, where players are increasingly looking for efficient payment options to enhance their gaming experience,' said Ms. Dung Dang, Visa Country Manager for Vietnam & Laos. For more information on Visa's participation in HoYo FEST 2025, please visit [1] VisaNet data tracking consumer spend behaviour for gamers across Asia Pacific throughout 2024. Hashtag: #Visa #HoYoFEST2025 #HoYoverse The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About HoYoverse HoYoverse is committed to providing immersive virtual world experiences to players around the world. We have brought fans popular games including Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero, as well as a wide range of entertainment content. Community is at the heart of everything we do. We are devoted to engaging fans and fostering an enthusiastic and inclusive global community that provides access and encouragement for people to share their passion for ACG (Animation, Comics, and Games) through their own creativity and skills. Pushing the boundaries of imagination, we consistently explore cutting-edge game development technologies, and have accumulated leading technical capabilities in cel shading, cloud gaming, and other fields. In the future, we will continue to expand our content production, technology research, and publishing duties through operations in offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other areas.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Visa sponsors HoYo FEST 2025 across Southeast Asia
--> Visa enhances the gaming festival experience with exclusive benefits for cardholders and establishes presence in the gaming space to provide a seamless, secure payments experience for gamers HCMC, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 June 2025 - Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, announced its inaugural sponsorship of HoYo FEST 2025, marking a significant milestone in Southeast Asia. HoYo FEST, organised by HoYoverse, celebrates popular gaming titles such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, captivating a global audience since its inception in 2021. This year's festival will take place from 24 to 27 July 2025 at premier venues including SkyExpo in Vietnam, Surabaya Convention Center in Indonesia, SMX Convention Center Manila in the Philippines, Pavilion Exhibition Centre Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore (25 to 27 July), and The Mall Bangkapi, MCC Hall in Thailand. These events aim to bring together fans for an immersive experience featuring live in-game excitement, community engagement, and gathering of a passionate fandom. Visa will enhance the festival experience for cardholders, who will enjoy an expedited payment lane and exclusive freebie at the merchandise store, and reserved seating at the stage area. Vietnam's gaming industry is on an impressive growth trajectory, supported by a tech-savvy population and enhanced digital connectivity. According to Visa's data[1], Vietnamese consumers are actively using credit and debit cards to engage with international gaming platforms, purchasing virtual currencies and game expansions. This behavior underscores Vietnam's integration into the global gaming ecosystem and highlights its potential as a significant contributor to the industry's ongoing expansion. 'We are proud to partner with HoYo FEST for the first time, supporting an event that aligns with Visa's commitment to innovation and enhancing the consumer experience. Visa's comprehensive payment solutions are designed to meet the needs of today's gamers, ensuring fast, reliable, seamless, and secure transactions. Our partnership with HoYo FEST demonstrates our commitment to supporting the dynamic gaming ecosystem, where players are increasingly looking for efficient payment options to enhance their gaming experience,' said Ms. Dung Dang, Visa Country Manager for Vietnam & Laos. For more information on Visa's participation in HoYo FEST 2025, please visit [1] VisaNet data tracking consumer spend behaviour for gamers across Asia Pacific throughout 2024. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About HoYoverse HoYoverse is committed to providing immersive virtual world experiences to players around the world. We have brought fans popular games including Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero, as well as a wide range of entertainment content. Community is at the heart of everything we do. We are devoted to engaging fans and fostering an enthusiastic and inclusive global community that provides access and encouragement for people to share their passion for ACG (Animation, Comics, and Games) through their own creativity and skills. Pushing the boundaries of imagination, we consistently explore cutting-edge game development technologies, and have accumulated leading technical capabilities in cel shading, cloud gaming, and other fields. In the future, we will continue to expand our content production, technology research, and publishing duties through operations in offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other areas.
Malay Mail
26-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Visa sponsors HoYo FEST 2025 across Southeast Asia
Visa enhances the gaming festival experience with exclusive benefits for cardholders and establishes presence in the gaming space to provide a seamless, secure payments experience for gamers [1] VisaNet data tracking consumer spend behaviour for gamers across Asia Pacific throughout 2024. HCMC, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 June 2025 - Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, announced its inaugural sponsorship of HoYo FEST 2025, marking a significant milestone in Southeast Asia. HoYo FEST, organised by HoYoverse, celebrates popular gaming titles such as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, captivating a global audience since its inception in year's festival will take place from 24 to 27 July 2025 at premier venues including SkyExpo in Vietnam, Surabaya Convention Center in Indonesia, SMX Convention Center Manila in the Philippines, Pavilion Exhibition Centre Bukit Jalil in Malaysia, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre in Singapore (25 to 27 July), and The Mall Bangkapi, MCC Hall in Thailand. These events aim to bring together fans for an immersive experience featuring live in-game excitement, community engagement, and gathering of a passionate will enhance the festival experience for cardholders, who will enjoy an expedited payment lane and exclusive freebie at the merchandise store, and reserved seating at the stage gaming industry is on an impressive growth trajectory, supported by a tech-savvy population and enhanced digital connectivity. According to Visa's data, Vietnamese consumers are actively using credit and debit cards to engage with international gaming platforms, purchasing virtual currencies and game expansions. This behavior underscores Vietnam's integration into the global gaming ecosystem and highlights its potential as a significant contributor to the industry's ongoing expansion."We are proud to partner with HoYo FEST for the first time, supporting an event that aligns with Visa's commitment to innovation and enhancing the consumer experience. Visa's comprehensive payment solutions are designed to meet the needs of today's gamers, ensuring fast, reliable, seamless, and secure transactions. Our partnership with HoYo FEST demonstrates our commitment to supporting the dynamic gaming ecosystem, where players are increasingly looking for efficient payment options to enhance their gaming experience," saidFor more information on Visa's participation in HoYo FEST 2025, please visit Hashtag: #Visa #HoYoFEST2025 #HoYoverse The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Visa Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at About HoYoverse HoYoverse is committed to providing immersive virtual world experiences to players around the world. We have brought fans popular games including Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero, as well as a wide range of entertainment content. Community is at the heart of everything we do. We are devoted to engaging fans and fostering an enthusiastic and inclusive global community that provides access and encouragement for people to share their passion for ACG (Animation, Comics, and Games) through their own creativity and skills. Pushing the boundaries of imagination, we consistently explore cutting-edge game development technologies, and have accumulated leading technical capabilities in cel shading, cloud gaming, and other fields. In the future, we will continue to expand our content production, technology research, and publishing duties through operations in offices in Singapore, Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and other areas.
