Genshin Impact 4.4 release date and banners

During the most recent Genshin Impact developer livestream, the release date for the 4.4 updates was announced for 31st January. Gamer servers will be going down to include the new patch and Lantern Rite festival.

Along with Lantern Rite, the update will also bring new character banners, new open-world regions, quests, and characters along with general bug fixes and optimizations.

4.4 Banners

The 4.4 banners will feature the new 5-star character cloud retainer Xianyun and the Dendro archon Nahida. Along with these two, the new 4-start character ‘Gaming’ will also be featured in both banners.

Xianyun will be a dedicated catalyst support character. Her Damage ability is yet to be revealed.

Phase 2 for the 4.4 banners will feature two returning 5-star characters, Xiao and Yae Miko with their respective weapons in the weapon banner.

Lantern Rite 2024

The biggest event in Genshin Impact is also making a comeback with multiple activities to earn in-game currency. Players will also be able to select a 4-start cosmetic outfit for any character, along with a free 4-start character.

There will also be multiple mini-game events, both, PvE and PvP. Players can also earn an additional character outfit by taking part in limited-time activities.

Special 4.4 events include:

Paper-Shadows A-Forging
Joyful Beasts and Their Auspices
Receiver of Friends From Afar
Journey Through Hilinigmatic Terrain
Triumphant Frenzy
Overflowing Mastery event
Genius Invokation TCG update (Card Game)

Apart from events, the game will also add a new region that will have multiple puzzles, quests and a new boss. Players will also receive some QoL updates and upgraded visuals for the game.

New additions in-game are listed below –

New Liyue area, Chenyu Vale
Xianyun’s first Story Quest
New Boss – Solitary Suanni
Fast equip and custom Artifact loadout