Tag Archives: Honkai Star Rail

Game News

HoYoverse Confirms ZZZ × Honkai: Star Rail Crossover — Pom-Pom Is Already in New Eridu

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If you’ve been exploring New Eridu lately and spotted a familiar orange Bangboo lurking near the video store — no, you’re not hallucinating. Pom-Pom, the beloved Astral Express conductor from Honkai: Star Rail, is already in Zenless Zone Zero, and HoYoverse has officially confirmed what this means: a full ZZZ × Honkai: Star Rail crossover is coming in Winter 2026.

Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.1 “The Long Goodbye” Special Program — via Zenless Zone Zero on YouTube. The crossover announcement was made during this broadcast.

ZZZ × Honkai Star Rail Crossover Confirmed

During the Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.1 “The Long Goodbye” Special Program on 17 July 2026, HoYoverse officially announced that a crossover between ZZZ and Honkai: Star Rail is in the works. The reveal was framed with typical HoYo humour: the official ZZZ X account posted that, after a “technical evaluation,” developers were “temporarily unable to fix the bug where Pom-Pomboo suddenly appeared on Sixth Street” — and so, to celebrate the little visitor, the collaboration was confirmed instead.

Pom-Pomboo, the mysterious Bangboo that is actually Pom-Pom from Honkai: Star Rail, spotted in Zenless Zone Zero
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

The crossover is officially scheduled for Winter 2026, which most fans expect to fall somewhere between December 2026 and early 2027. No specific in-game patch date has been announced yet. Detailed content reveals will come through official HoYoverse channels as the collaboration draws closer.

Where to Find Pom-Pomboo in New Eridu Right Now

Sixth Street in New Eridu, Zenless Zone Zero
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

The in-game teaser is already live. If you log into ZZZ now, you can track down Pom-Pom — disguised as a mysterious Bangboo called “Pom-Pomboo” — at three locations on Sixth Street in New Eridu:

  • Random Play Video Store — near the videotape display, browsing for a book titled Pom-Pom’s Bizarre Adventure
  • Club 404
  • Gadget Store

The character has unique voicelines at each spot — well worth checking out if you’re an HSR fan who’s made the leap to ZZZ (or vice versa).

Which Characters Might Cross Over? (Leaks — Not Confirmed)

Zenless Zone Zero characters in action
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

HoYoverse has not officially revealed which characters will appear in the crossover. Leaks circulating in the community suggest the following, though none of this is confirmed — treat it as speculation until HoYoverse says otherwise:

  • Robin (HSR) may join ZZZ’s Agent roster
  • Astra Yao and Ellen Jo (from ZZZ) may become playable in Honkai: Star Rail, reportedly tied to HSR patch 4.7

Whether the cross-over characters will be fully playable Agents/characters or limited cameos also hasn’t been confirmed. Full details to be confirmed by HoYoverse ahead of the Winter window.

What This Means for Singapore’s HoYo Community

Zenless Zone Zero Sixth Street environment
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Both Zenless Zone Zero and Honkai: Star Rail have enormous player bases in Singapore, and a crossover between the two is likely to be the kind of event that brings lapsed players back to both games simultaneously. ZZZ itself only launched on Steam in June with Version 3.0, so there’s a whole new PC audience ready for its first major HoYo cross-game event.

Timing-wise, if the Winter 2026 window lines up with the holiday season, it could overlap nicely with the end-of-year school break — a peak gaming period for Singapore players. Local fans heading to HoYo FEST 2026 at Suntec (31 July – 2 August) might even get a first look at crossover merchandise or teaser artwork at the booth.

In the meantime, ZZZ Version 3.1 “The Long Goodbye” itself launches on 29 July 2026, bringing new S-Rank Agents Remielle Dan and Sigrid de L’Azur alongside second-anniversary rewards. Plenty to do while waiting for Winter.

Event, Game News

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore — Tickets Open 16 July at S$16, Nexus Anima Playable

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HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore now has a confirmed ticket price and sale date. Tickets open on 16 July 2026 at 11am SGT, with a 1-day pass priced at S$16 and a 3-day bundle at S$35 — plus a fast-pass upgrade at S$50. The event itself runs from 8 to 10 August at Suntec City Convention Centre, and for the first time, attendees will get to go hands-on with Honkai: Nexus Anima before any global launch date has been announced.

If you missed our earlier coverage, we reported on the event announcement and venue confirmation back in June. This article covers the newly confirmed ticket pricing, the sale window, and a closer look at what HoYoverse has planned for the three days.

Ticket Prices and When to Buy

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore ticket pricing — S$16 one-day, S$35 three-day, S$50 fast pass
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Three ticket tiers are available:

  • 1-Day Pass — S$16: Access to HoYo FEST on one day of your choice (8, 9, or 10 August).
  • 3-Day Bundle — S$35: Entry across all three days at roughly S$12 per day.
  • Fast Pass — S$50: 3-day entry plus priority queue access for all playable booths and the lucky draw.

Tickets go live on 16 July at 11am SGT exclusively through the official HoYoFEST ticketing page. No third-party re-sale channels have been announced. Given that the first HoYo FEST Singapore sold out quickly, setting a reminder for the 16 July window is strongly recommended.

What’s On — Booths, Lucky Draw, and Artist Alley

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore event floor plan and activities overview at Suntec City
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

The event floor at Suntec City Convention Centre will carry dedicated booths for Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Zenless Zone Zero, and Tears of Themis, each with game-specific merchandise, photo zones, and interactive activities. A community merchandise zone and a food and beverage area are also confirmed.

The lucky draw is open to all ticket holders and includes an ASUS ROG laptop, an iPad Air, and a PS5 Slim as headline prizes. Entry into the lucky draw is earned by completing booth stamp-card activities across the event floor.

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore Artist Alley map featuring 50 participating creators
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

The Artist Alley returns with 50 participating creators — the largest lineup for a HoYo FEST Singapore to date. The full creator list will be published ahead of the event; based on the floor plan released, the alley spans the full eastern wing of the convention hall.

Honkai: Nexus Anima — First Playable Hands-On

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore Honkai: Nexus Anima playable demo booth
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

The headline exclusive at HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore is a playable demo of Honkai: Nexus Anima — a new title in the Honkai franchise that HoYoverse has not yet given a global release date for. The Suntec City booth will be one of the first public venues outside of China where players can go hands-on with the game, making it a significant draw for Honkai series fans beyond the usual HoYo FEST experience. No further details about the demo’s content or playable characters have been released ahead of the event.

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore runs 8–10 August 2026 at Suntec City Convention Centre. Tickets go on sale 16 July at 11am SGT. Watch the Events section for further updates as the sale date approaches.

Game News

Honkai: Star Rail 4.4 — Gilgamesh Is FREE in the Second Fate/stay night Collab

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The next major Honkai: Star Rail update has a date and a headline: Version 4.4 “In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound” launches on 15 July 2026, and it brings something the Fate franchise fanbase has been waiting for — the second Fate/stay night [Unlimited Blade Works] collaboration, starring Rin Tohsaka and a completely free Gilgamesh. Whether you are a Star Rail veteran or a Fate fan who has been circling the game since the first collab, this one is worth your attention.

Version 4.4 Trailer: “In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound” — via Honkai: Star Rail on YouTube

Version 4.4 Launches 15 July — Two Phases, One Big Collab

Version 4.4 rolls out in two phases. Phase 1 begins on 15 July with the debut of Himeko Nova alongside reruns for Sparxie, Dan Heng • Permansor Terrae, and Evernight. Phase 2 opens on 24 July and is where the Fate collab Part 2 begins: Rin Tohsaka’s limited banner goes live and Gilgamesh becomes claimable for free. The full version runs until 25 August 2026.

Honkai: Star Rail is available on iOS, Android, and PC globally — Singapore players access the same global server, so all content and timings are identical regardless of region.

Himeko Nova — Himeko Returns as a 5-Star Fire Erudition DPS

Himeko Nova official splash art in Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Phase 1 centres on Himeko Nova, an alternate 5-star form of the beloved Astral Express crew member. Nova follows the Path of Erudition and wields Fire, repositioning Himeko as a dedicated ultimate-focused damage dealer with mech synergy. Her banner runs for the entire 40-day version — both Phase 1 and Phase 2 — making her one of the longer-window banners in recent memory, which is useful for Trailblazers who want to save for the Fate collab units and still consider pulling for her.

The version also raises the Currency Wars level cap to 170 and introduces a new weekly boss, Lord Ravager Asat Pramad, who plays a key role in the 4.4 main story.

The Second Fate/stay night Collab — Rin Tohsaka and a FREE Gilgamesh on 24 July

Honkai: Star Rail x Fate collaboration — free character selection between Gilgamesh and Archer
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

The big headline: Gilgamesh — the King of Heroes himself — is available for free to every player during Version 4.4’s Fate collab event. He joins as a 5-star Lightning-element Destruction character whose kit revolves around his Noble Phantasm, Gate of Babylon. Each time an ally takes an action in combat, Gilgamesh accumulates “Interest”, regenerates Energy, and eventually unlocks a barrage of multi-hit damage through his Skill. Players who participated in Fate Collab Part 1 will also be able to choose between Gilgamesh and Archer as their free copy.

The limited-banner character for this phase is Rin Tohsaka, a 5-star Quantum-element Erudition unit. Rin builds “Gem Energy” through combat, then spends it to fire multiple additional instances of damage at a random target, giving her a playstyle that synergises tightly with Archer from the first collab. Her banner, “The Gem Coursing in Red”, opens 24 July and has no fixed end date — consistent with the format of the first Fate collab’s banners.

Gilgamesh’s signature Light Cone is also available free at 200 cumulative rolls on any banner during the event period.

New Story: Planarcadia on the Brink and the Lord Ravager

Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.4 story cinematic battle scene
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

On the story front, Version 4.4 deepens the Planarcadia arc. The Trailblazer confronts Lord Ravager Asat Pramad, a newly-unlocked weekly boss, as Planarcadia faces what the trailer describes as a crisis threatening its very survival. The version title — “In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound” — suggests something a lot darker than recent content, and judging by the trailer’s imagery it looks like a memorable narrative chapter. The Fate collab story event, “Holy Grail War: The Second”, runs in parallel with a Fate-exclusive bond system added alongside it.

Version 4.4 “In Ravages Does the Whistle Sound” goes live on 15 July 2026, with the Fate collab and Rin Tohsaka’s banner opening on 24 July. Check the Game News section for further coverage as the version approaches.

Game News

Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Phase 2 Is Live — Cyrene and Phainon Banners Now Open

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Honkai: Star Rail Version 4.3 Phase 2 is now live. The new banners went live on 24 June 2026 and run until 14 July 2026, bringing two new 5-star characters to the roster: the ice-attribute support Cyrene and the physical-attribute DPS Phainon.

New Banners: Cyrene and Phainon

Cyrene character banner card for Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Phase 2

Cyrene is an Ice / Remembrance support character. Her banner is called “Ripples Rejoined”, and her signature Light Cone is “This Love, Forever”. Watch her character trailer below.

Phainon character banner card for Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Phase 2

Phainon is a Physical / Destruction DPS character. His banner is called “To Evermore Burn as the Sun”, with signature Light Cone “Thus Burns the Dawn”.

Both banners also feature the 4-star characters March 7th, Arlan, and Yukong.

Version 4.3 Events to Clear Before 14 July

Honkai Star Rail 4.3 Phase 2 events overview

Phase 2 brings new limited-time events with Stellar Jade up for grabs:

  • Wispae Amusement Park — New event launching today. Rewards up to 500 Stellar Jade. Rewards do NOT carry over — complete it before 14 July.
  • Pixel Plane Rumble — Ongoing event with 1,240+ Stellar Jade available if you haven’t cleared it yet.

What’s Next: Version 4.4

Version 4.4 is expected to drop around 14 July 2026. No official character announcements yet, but leaks are circulating — stay tuned.

For more gacha and mobile game updates, check out our other game news.

Game News

Honkai: Nexus Anima Opens Sign-Ups for Evolution Test — New Creatures, New Characters, 9 July

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HoYoverse has opened recruitment for the next closed beta of Honkai: Nexus Anima — and players on PC, iOS, and Android can throw their names in the hat right now. Sign-ups opened on 22 June, with the Evolution Test itself kicking off on 9 July 2026. Trailers are live in English, Japanese, Korean, and Traditional Chinese, confirming this is a global beta — not a Japan-only affair.

Evolution Test Gameplay Showcase — via Honkai: Nexus Anima on YouTube

What Is Honkai: Nexus Anima?

This is an entirely new HoYoverse franchise — separate from Honkai Impact 3rd and Honkai: Star Rail. The game is built around a lore concept called the Nexus: a primordial force that once balanced opposing aspects of existence — light and dark, love and hate. When the Nexus collapsed, fragments of it became living creatures called Anima.

Players take the role of a Dimensional Traveler who escapes captivity and arrives in Iya, a town in the Reality Plane. The core loop is bonding with Anima — naming them, capturing photos, evolving them, and deploying them in strategic battles. Rare Chromatic Anima variants are especially coveted. If you have ever wished Genshin Impact had a Pokémon-style creature-collecting layer, this is worth watching.

What’s New in the Evolution Test

The Evolution Test is a major content jump over earlier testing phases. Three new characters debut in Iya: Nanafey, Bai Mei, and Olympia. Voice actor Akira Ishida (known for roles in Evangelion, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Honkai Impact 3rd) is confirmed as the voice of a character named Otto.

Expanded areas open up in the test, including a New Quarter district of Iya, the Bond Hall, and the Nexus Group building. This is a non-paying, data-wiping closed beta — any progress made will not carry to the final release — so it is purely a chance to get hands-on with HoYoverse’s next big title before everyone else.

Honkai: Nexus Anima Evolution Teaser — Until We Meet
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

How to Apply — Open Right Now

Head to hna.hoyoverse.com and complete the recruitment survey. Final testers are selected by lottery from everyone who pre-registers and submits the survey. You must be 18 or older to apply. The window is open from 22 June, so the sooner you get your entry in, the better your odds ahead of the 9 July start.

The beta runs on PC, Android, and iOS. No SGD pricing has been announced for the final game yet — this remains a test with no confirmed global launch window.

Last words

HoYoverse’s track record in Singapore is hard to argue with — Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero have all charted on the local App Store and Google Play at launch. Honkai: Nexus Anima is gunning for a similar audience: free-to-play, cross-platform, and now layering in creature-collecting mechanics that overlap nicely with the Pokémon GO and Palworld crowd. If you have a HoYoLAB account, applying for the Evolution Test takes two minutes. Check back with GameTrader’s Game News for coverage when the beta goes live on 9 July.

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore dates and venue announcement poster
Event

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore: Dates, Venue and What to Expect

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If you’re a fan of Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, or Zenless Zone Zero, clear your schedule from 31 July — HoYo FEST 2026 is coming to Suntec Singapore for a three-day celebration, and it’s shaping up to be the biggest HoYoverse gathering the region has seen yet.

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore — Dates and Venue

HoYoverse’s annual Southeast Asia fan festival returns for its 2026 edition with confirmed dates for Singapore: 31 July to 2 August 2026, hosted at Hall 403, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. That’s three days at one of the city’s most iconic event spaces right in the heart of the CBD.

The rest of the Southeast Asian leg runs 30 July to 2 August — Singapore is the one city that kicks off a day later, on the 31st.

What Games Are Featured?

HoYo FEST 2026 celebrates the full slate of active HoYoverse titles: Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Zenless Zone Zero, Honkai Impact 3rd, and Tears of Themis. Whether you’re a die-hard Traveller or a Trailblazer deep in the Astral Express crew, there should be something on the floor that speaks your language.

Honkai: Star Rail official artwork
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Artist Alley, Cosplay Runway and Stage Activities

The headline community activities at HoYo FEST 2026 are the Artist Alley and Stage Activities:

  • Artist Alley — an open marketplace where fan creators showcase and sell original merch, prints, and crafts inspired by HoYoverse’s games. Registration for a booth spot is open now via the official sign-up form on HoYoLAB.
  • Stage Activities — including an Open Stage where fans can perform, and a Cosplay Runway Walk for cosplayers to show off their best character builds in front of a live crowd. Applications for both are open now through the same registration link.

General attendance is open to everyone — the advance registration is specifically for those who want to participate on stage or in the Artist Alley, rather than for entry itself.

Zenless Zone Zero official artwork
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Across Southeast Asia

Singapore is one of six SEA cities hosting HoYo FEST 2026 this season. The other five are Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Manila (Philippines), and Jakarta (Indonesia). Note that Indonesia’s location has moved from Surabaya to Jakarta compared to 2025, which opens the event up to a bigger local fanbase.

Tickets and Admission

HoYoverse has not yet announced ticket pricing or admission details for the 2026 Singapore event — admission pricing is to be confirmed. Keep an eye on the official HoYoLAB announcement and HoYoverse’s social channels for updates closer to July.

Last words

For Singapore players who live and breathe HoYoverse games, HoYo FEST at Suntec is easily one of the most exciting summer calendar items to look forward to. Three days, five games, a cosplay runway, and an Artist Alley full of local fan talent — we’ll be there. Check out our other events coverage for more on what’s coming up for Singapore’s gaming and pop-culture calendar.

Event

HoYo FEST 2026 Hits Singapore This August — Genshin, Star Rail & ZZZ at Suntec

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HoYoverse’s beloved annual fan festival is coming back to Singapore — and if you play Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, or Zenless Zone Zero, you’ll want to clear your calendar for the first weekend of August.

HoYo FEST 2026 key visual
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore: Dates, Venue, and What’s New

HoYo FEST 2026 Singapore runs from Friday, 31 July to Sunday, 2 August 2026 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hall 403. That’s a three-day run — one day shorter than the other five Southeast Asian stops, which all kick off on the Thursday — so don’t wait until the weekend to plan your visit.

This year marks an expanded format for the festival: what started as a themed pop-up experience has grown into a full-fledged fan convention, with a dedicated exhibition floor, live stages, and a proper creator marketplace built in. Last year’s Singapore edition at Suntec drew strong crowds across all three days, and the 2026 edition looks set to be even more packed.

What’s Happening on the Convention Floor

HoYoverse has confirmed several activity streams for all six stops, including Singapore:

  • Themed Exhibitions — Immersive installations and interactive booths celebrating the worlds of Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero.
  • Exclusive Merchandise — Official HoYo FEST-edition goods, typically available only at the event. Stock tends to go fast.
  • Artist Alley — A dedicated creator marketplace where fan artists can showcase and sell original merchandise, illustrations, and crafts inspired by HoYoverse titles.
  • Open Stage — Fan-led performances and community segments on the main stage.
  • Cosplay Runway Walk — Cosplayers take the spotlight in a runway showcase. Whether you’re watching or walking, it’s always a highlight.
Honkai: Star Rail official artwork
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Want to Participate? Registration Is Open Now

HoYoverse has opened recruitment for two participation tracks — and if you’re a creator or cosplayer, this is your shot to be part of the event from the inside:

  • Artist Alley — Apply to set up a booth and sell your fan-made work directly to attendees. This is separate from the standard vendor slots at events like Doujin Market, so it’s a unique opportunity for HoYoverse fan creators specifically.
  • Stage Activities — Submit for the Open Stage or Cosplay Runway Walk. You’ll be performing or strutting before a live audience of fellow fans.

Registration links are pinned on the official social media pages for each game — check Honkai: Star Rail on Facebook and the official HoYoverse social channels for the direct form links. No registration deadline has been confirmed yet, but these slots fill up quickly, so apply early.

The Full Southeast Asia Tour

Singapore is the sixth and final stop on HoYo FEST 2026’s Southeast Asia run. The full schedule:

  • Bangkok — Central Ladprao, BCC Hall (30 Jul – 2 Aug)
  • Ho Chi Minh City — Sky Expo, Hall A4 (30 Jul – 2 Aug)
  • Jakarta — Pondok Indah Mall 3, City Hall (30 Jul – 2 Aug)
  • Kuala Lumpur — Pavilion Exhibition Centre, Halls 1–3 (30 Jul – 2 Aug)
  • Manila — SPACE at One Ayala, Halls A–D (30 Jul – 2 Aug)
  • Singapore — Suntec Convention Centre, Hall 403 (31 Jul – 2 Aug)
Zenless Zone Zero official artwork
Image courtesy of HoYoverse

Ticket Prices and Entry Details

Ticket pricing for the Singapore leg has not been announced yet — watch the official HoYoverse Singapore social pages for updates. Past HoYo FEST editions in Singapore have offered a mix of free and ticketed zones, so it’s worth checking before you assume entry is fully free.

What This Means for Singapore Gamers

HoYoverse games have a massive player base here — Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero consistently rank among the most-played mobile and PC titles in Singapore, and the communities around each title are active and enthusiastic. For fans who’ve only ever experienced these games through a screen, HoYo FEST is genuinely one of the best chances to get hands-on with the worlds, meet other players in person, and pick up limited merch that doesn’t make it to retail.

Mark the dates: 31 July to 2 August, Suntec Convention Centre Hall 403. Keep an eye on the official HoYoverse channels for ticket sales and any Singapore-specific programming announcements. We’ll update this page as more details drop.

Check out our roundup of other upcoming events in Singapore so you’ve got the full picture for the rest of the year.