People don't realize that CN Dev used Hoyo as benchmark.
Let's start from the TOP, Gacha in Japan always create a character for the MC. Examples,
Fate, Girl Frontline, Eminence in Shadow etc.
No matter what or there is no even you a player as part of stories. HI3 come with this faceless character that called as Captain or you can say a guy who had his face covered by hood, or mask or don't even look straight to the front.
Doesn't sound real?
Honkai Impact 3, Arknight, Punishing Gray Raven, Snowbreak, Nikke, Higan Eruthyll etc. You can name it.
And then Genshin come with this twin or gender MC option that exist in mobile games. Wanna list again? sure..
Genshin, Honkai: Star Rails, Tower of Fantasy, Wuthering Wave, Arknight: Endfields, Duet Night Abyss, Azur Promilia. Yes, you can go on with the list.
Wanna Go more?
Zenless, Project Mugen
And inserting meme as part of the gameplay.
Honkai Star Rail, Wuthering Wave.
It's a reality that people have to see. Hoyo create a breakthrough to Chinese Market for video games. Yes, some hoyo games are not polish or even build it right or you can say they brave enough to do the impossible.
Don't believe me. Due to unpopularity of Honkai Impact 3rd. Not even single company realized that Part 2 allowing you swap MC gender mid game. If the development not change. On Chapter 3 of Zenless, you can still play as Wise or Belle even after you choose the MC at the beginning. You still play both MC.
It just not end here, this is the reason why I love Hoyo. If you involved with AAA games industries. You can see this thing exist in the past. New Mechanic, New Game Type, New Style, New Technology. That's how AAA rated works. Where one of the A's are referring to a new Technology, where current game must surpassed the past game. But right now, AAA just a name. You can evaluate how AAA company now don't create more, everyone just focus on existing product.