Genshin Impact version 4.4: Release date, new expansion, banners, skins, more

Genshin Impact version 4.4 is only a fleeting moment away, and ahead of its release, HoYoverse have shared everything players can expect from the upcoming update, including a brand-new expansion. 

Not long to go before version 4.3 is officially wrapped up in Genshin Impact, and the game will momentarily bid adieu to the endless farce and theatrics. There will be quite a change in tone as the spotlight will be on the tranquil harbors of Liyue as it is time for the annual Lantern Rite festival.

While we already had plenty of leaks spilling much about the upcoming expansion of Chenyu Vale and new characters, Xianyun and Gaming, HoYoverse have now confirmed all the details and made plenty of new announcements about Genshin Impact version 4.4.

So, here is a detailed rundown of everything confirmed for the upcoming Genshin Impact version 4.4. 

• Genshin Impact version 4.4 release date
• Genshin Impact version 4.4 banners
• Genshin Impact version 4.4 skins
• Genshin Impact version 4.4 story and expansion details
• Genshin Impact version 4.4 QoL updates
• Genshin Impact version 4.4 new boss
• Genshin Impact version 4.4 events and rewards

Genshin Impact version 4.4 release date

Genshin Impact version 4.4 will be released on January 31, 2024. This is based on the game’s current schedule of a new version every six weeks, and with 4.3 ending on January 30, the next version will begin on January 31. Unless there are any last-moment delays, that is. 

Genshin Impact version 4.4 banners

Genshin Impact 4.4 will feature a brand new playable 5-star called Xianyun and a new 4-star, Gaming. The version also sees the re-run of Xiao, Nahida, and Yae Miko. As for how they’re paired, here’s a phase-wise detail on version 4.4 banner:

• Phase 1: 
  • Characters: Xianyun and Nahida, with Gaming as one of the 4-stars.
  • Weapons: Crane’s Echoing Call and A Thousand Floating Dreams.
• Phase 2: 
  • Characters: Xiao and Yae Miko.
  • Weapons: Primordial Jade Winged-Spear and Kagura’s Verity.

Genshin Impact version 4.4 skins

Version 4.4 of Genshin Impact will add skins for Ganyu, Shenhe, and Xingqiu.

New Outfits
In Version 4.4, Ganyu's new outfit "Twilight Blossom," Shenhe's new outfit "Frostflower Dew," and Xingqiu's new outfit "Bamboo Rain" will be available!#GenshinImpact #Ganyu #Shenhe #Xingqiu pic.twitter.com/fK8r2FOc6t

— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact) January 19, 2024

All of the skins are 4-star, and we’ll get the Xingqiu skin for free by completing an event, similar to past 4-star characters’ skins being available for free for a limited time.

Genshin Impact version 4.4 story and expansion details

Version 4.4 of Genshin Impact is going to be Liyue-heavy, as it is time for Lantern Rite. While the specific details of the story remain murky, expect it to be similar to the past Lantern Rite, themed around honoring the fallen heroes of the region. The focus of this Lantern Rite is said to be kites. 

It’ll also feature the brand-new region of Chenyu Vale, an expansion to the current Liyue region. Chenyu Vale is said to border Fontaine and will have new traversal mechanics.

Outside of these, a story quest for Xianyun, Grus Serena Act 1, will also be added with version 4.4 of Genshin Impact. 

Genshin Impact version 4.4 QoL updates

QoL updates for Genshin Impact 4.4 were already announced, and they include a new artifact loadout system. Here is a brief breakdown of all the QoL updates arriving with version 4.4. 

• New artifact loadout system.
  • Quick Loadout: Automatically generate a loadout based on recent active players’ data. 
  • Custom Loadout: Also a loadout generator, but you can tweak certain affixes like set, stats, etc. 
• Several Teapot improvements.
  • Filtering of furnishing items in Teapot has been improved.
  • When placing furnishings in Teapot using the same editing mode, your current position in lists will be remembered. It will not be reset after switching to another furnishing category.
  • The companion list will now show your companions’ Friendship Levels in Teapot.
• In case you’ve not claimed your commission rewards, a red dot will be added to the Adventure Handbook to remind you of the same.
• The number of party compositions that can be saved will be increased to 15.
• When trying out new characters, you’ll now be able to choose to challenge the next Character Trial Stage without having to exit the current stage first.
• The “Borderless Mode” option will be added in PC Display Mode settings.
• A new “Dynamic Character Resolution” function will be made available on both PCs and consoles. This utilizes dynamic recognition of object models to increase the precision of models’ marked area surfaces in real-time.

Genshin Impact version 4.4 new boss

Version 4.4 of Genshin Impact will feature a new boss fight called Solitary Suanni. It is said to be an illuminated beast that now resides in solitude amidst the mountains, and should anyone dare to trespass, they’ll show little mercy in tossing them out. 

Genshin Impact version 4.4 events and rewards

Since Genshin Impact 4.4 is time for Lantern Rite, it’ll be the main event of the version, with several mini-events as well as other side events. Here is a full breakdown of all the events in Genshin Impact version 4.4.

• Vibrant Harriers Aloft in Spring Breeze — Lantern Rite & this version’s main event.
  • Mini-events within Lantern Rite:
    • Paper-Shadows A-Forging — A top-down puzzle mini-event where you control Gouba and Yuegi to help them get to the objective.
    • Joyful Beasts and Their Auspices — A three-stage co-op event where players will do various activities like collecting coins.
    • Iridescent Cloud-striding — Soar the skies and collect Jade Lotus Lanterns.
• May Fortune Find You — Daily log-in event, similar to last year’s Lantern Rite patch, rewards Intertwined Fate ×10.
• Lantenrite mail rewards — It is similar to last year as well, and rewards  Intertwined Fate ×3 and Fragile Resin ×2 via in-game mails.
• Receiver of Friends From Afar — “One day, you and Paimon pass through Wangshu Inn, only for a notice to attract your attention…”
• Journey Through Hilinigmatic Terrain “Mysterious statues have suddenly appeared in Dadaupa Gorge, and in their villages, the hilichurl tribes are behaving strangely. There must be some secret in the depths of these places for adventurers to discover…”
• Triumphant Frenzy — “Treacherous foes of even more mysterious origins are preparing for battle.”

Like always, you’ll also get to choose one free 4-star from all of Liyue region in version 4.4, including Gaming.

That’s everything revealed about version 4.4 of Genshin Impact. For more on the game, check out: 

Genshin Impact Yoimiya ascension & talent level-up materials | Genshin Impact Raiden Shogun ascension & talent level-up materials | Genshin Impact Xiangling build guide | Genshin Impact Cyno build guide | Genshin Impact Venti build guide | Genshin Impact Hu Tao build guide | Genshin Impact Encounter Points explained | How to reroll in Genshin Impact | All Star-Shaped Gems and Seelie locations | How to get more Primogems and wishes