MiHoYo Shuts Down AI Desktop Companion 'BSide: Olivia Lin' Shortly After Launch
Chinese gaming giant MiHoYo has announced the shutdown of its AI desktop companion software, "BSide: Olivia Lin," less than a month after its Steam Early Access launch on July 13, 2026. The company is offering a limited-time offline version for users to download before the servers officially close on August 31, 2026. This rapid shutdown highlights the volatile nature of experimental AI companion products, even when backed by major gaming companies like MiHoYo. It reflects the challenges developers face in sustaining user engagement and justifying server costs for niche AI utility tools. The offline version will allow users to keep using basic features like local music playback and dynamic wallpapers, but online data such as letters and MIDI creations will not be synced and will be permanently deleted. Users had to manually back up their data and download the offline client before the server shutdown deadline.
## BACKGROUND
"BSide: Olivia Lin" was launched as a free-to-play utility on Steam, representing MiHoYo's attempt to branch out from traditional gaming into AI-powered digital companionship. The software allowed users to interact with an AI character named Olivia Lin, upload MIDI files to generate music videos, and use dynamic desktop wallpapers.