Petit Planet, HoYoverse's laid-back life sim, comes out Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, on PC, iPhone, iPad and Android, and it's free to download. HoYoverse, the studio behind Genshin Impact, announced the date on Oct. 30 on HoYoLAB, its official community site, and the game's App Store listing already shows it as free and expected that day.
HoYoverse's launch announcement in Japan says preloading opens Tuesday, Dec. 1, which gives you three days to get it installed. The studio hasn't said what time the game goes live on Dec. 4.
What kind of game Petit Planet is
This is HoYoverse's first life sim. The studio made its name with action RPGs like Genshin Impact, and Petit Planet slows things way down. You get a tiny planet and turn it into a home, reshaping the land, farming, fishing, cooking and decorating. You share it with Neighbors, fuzzy residents who each have their own personality. If you've spent time in Animal Crossing, the daily loop will feel familiar.
Beyond your own planet, the Starsea takes you to uncharted islets where you gather materials. The Galactic Bazaar is a shared hub where players trade items and hang out, and you can drop by your friends' planets too. HoYoverse has been testing the game with players since November 2025, when it opened its first closed beta on PC and iOS.
PC and mobile in December, Switch 2 in 2027
On Dec. 4, the game arrives on PC through the Epic Games Store and on iOS and Android phones and tablets. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is coming in 2027, according to a Nov. 1 post from the game's official X account, published the same day as HoYoverse's pre-launch livestream. The ESRB has already rated the game E for Everyone on Windows PC and Switch 2.
There's no PS5 or Xbox version on the schedule. HoYoverse also hasn't said whether progress from PC or mobile will carry over to Switch 2.
PC system requirements haven't been released yet, and the Epic listing still shows them as TBD. The same listing shows text in 15 languages but doesn't list any voice languages.
Is Petit Planet free?
Yes. You can download and play it without paying, as the App Store, the Epic Games Store and HoYoverse's own announcement all state. The money will come from in-game spending, and the Google Play listing already flags in-app purchases.
The ESRB goes a step further and notes that those purchases include random items. That's the gacha model, where you pay for a pull and the game picks your reward from a pool of prizes with different odds, much like a capsule toy machine. Our explainer on what gacha is and why it hooks you walks through how it works. HoYoverse hasn't said yet what those pulls will contain or how much its premium currency will cost.
How to pre-register and what you get
Pre-registering is free and doesn't commit you to anything. It simply tells the store you want the game, so it can notify you or download it at launch. HoYoverse says everyone who pre-registers gets two cosmetic rewards, the Bestie Star-Light and the Sproutling Outfit Set. Once you're signed up, the next date to circle is Tuesday, Dec. 1, when preloading opens.
You can pre-register in four places:
- The official Petit Planet website, planet.hoyoverse.com.
- The game's App Store page, for iPhone and iPad.
- Its Google Play page, for Android devices.
- Its Epic Games Store page, for PC.
Frequently asked questions
When does Petit Planet come out?
Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, worldwide on PC, iPhone, iPad and Android. Preloading opens Tuesday, Dec. 1, so you can have it installed ahead of time. HoYoverse hasn't announced what time the game goes live that Friday.
Is Petit Planet free-to-play?
Yes. It costs nothing to download or play on any platform. HoYoverse makes its money from optional in-game purchases, and the ESRB notes that some of them include random items, the gacha model the studio also uses in Genshin Impact. What's for sale, and at what price, hasn't been revealed.
Is Petit Planet coming to Switch 2, PS5 or Xbox?
Only Nintendo Switch 2 is confirmed, with a 2027 release window announced by the game's official account. HoYoverse hasn't announced PS5 or Xbox versions. At launch in December, you can play only on PC through the Epic Games Store or on iOS and Android devices.
How do I pre-register for Petit Planet, and what are the rewards?
Hit the pre-register button on the official site, planet.hoyoverse.com, or on the game's App Store, Google Play or Epic Games Store page. It's free. HoYoverse is giving everyone who signs up two cosmetic items, the Bestie Star-Light and the Sproutling Outfit Set.
What is Petit Planet rated?
The ESRB rated it E for Everyone, with no content descriptors. Its rating also flags that users interact online and that in-game purchases include random items, which matters if a younger player will be using a parent's payment method on a phone or PC.
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