Genshin Impact developer and publisher HoYoverse has announced that the game’s upcoming Version 4.4 update will launch on January 31, 2024. The new update is set to bring back the annual Lantern Rite festival, introduce the new Chenyu Vale region, and add two new playable characters to its roster.
This year’s Lantern Rite festival will feature a new kite theme as well as new events, mini-games, and redeemable items, including Xingqui’s new outfit. Ganyu and Shenhe’s new outfits will also be launched at a limited-timed discount at the in-game store during the event. Players will be able to claim up to 10 Intertwined Fates during the limited-time daily login event, and an additional three Intertwined Fates and two Fragile Resin will be given to players via the in-game mailbox.
The Version 4.4 update is also adding Xianyun, also known as the Cloud Retainer, to the game’s roster of playable characters. Xianyun is a five-star Anime catalyst user that is able to take flying leaps and dash forward twice mid-air. She can also help teammates jump higher for their plunging attacks while also providing healing. The four-star characters that is being added to the game alongside Xianyun is the claymore-using Pyro character Gaming.
The first phase of Version 4.4 will feature Xianyun and Gaming’s banner alongside Nahida’s rerun banner, while the second phase will bring back Xiao and Yae Miko’s banners.
Lastly, Version 4.4 will introduce the Chengyu Vale region. Here’s a description of the new expansion of the Liyue area:
It is a beautiful, mist-shrouded area of majestic hills, cascading waterfalls, flourishing villages, and mysterious tales of the adepti. Qiaoying Village is famous for its tea cultivation methods that were imparted to them by the adepti. Further west lies Yilong Wharf, a key trading nexus connecting Fontaine with Liyue. It is distinguished by its remarkable elevator that is powered by the force of water.
However, the majority of Chenyu Vale lies off the beaten track. With the blessing of the adepti, players will be able to transform into a special carp to soar into the sky and reach previously inaccessible areas. During your journey, you will encounter legendary beasts that roam the valley. One of the most formidable and mysterious of them, the “Solitary Suanni,” will appear as a boss enemy.
HoYoverse is implementing new technical features to Genshin Impact to better highlight the Chengyu Vale. Global Far Fog (GFF) lets mist and clouds adjust their density and direction alongside by mountains depending on the altitude, terrain, and more. Gradient Tint Rock, changes the color of the mountain between cyan, green, or tan, depending on the height, visibility, distance, structure, and other characteristics.
Genshin Impact Version 4.4 will be released on January 31, 2024. The game is currently available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, Android, and iOS.