As Genshin Impact players traverse the final stretches of the Sumeru desert, a new wave of hype surges towards the next major region of Version 4.0: Fontaine.
Based on conversations with Fontaine NPCs in past quests, the nation of Hydro seems to be a centre of art, culture, technology, and bureaucracy (that last one’s not so fun). Amidst the NPCs' complaints about the seemingly endless array of ever-changing rules and regulations, Fontaine is mainly known for its vested interest in technological development, especially through the production and use of machinery.
Most of this machinery features clockwork mechanisms, hinting at a steampunk aesthetic that seems to draw inspiration from the Industrial Revolution in England and the Belle époque era in France. Notable examples include the 'Kamera' tool that players acquire very early on in the game, the Mikage Furnace, and the robotic toys of Bertrand the toymaker.
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Without further ado, let's dive right into the lore of Fontaine!
Fontaine release date
Fontaine is set to release in Genshin Impact’s upcoming Version 4.0 Update. Even though HoYoverse has yet to reveal the official date of the release, fans can make an educated guess based on how developers have scheduled patches and updates in the past.
Genshin Impact is updated every six weeks, with each phase of the update lasting roughly three weeks.
Version 3.7 was released on 24 May, and Version 3.8 is expected to be released on 5 June (4am BST) or 4 June (11pm EDT). HoYoverse is expected to skip Version 3.9, so if there are no unprecedented delays, Version 4.0 should be released around 16 August 2023, with its Livestream to take place on 4 August!
Fontaine lore
Fontaine NPCs have revealed that the nation of Hydro will be characterised by a steampunk aesthetic, with mentions of an air rail and other mechanisms. In addition to these references, there are multiple allusions to the renowned game series Bioshock, which is fitting considering the shared underwater setting of both worlds.
Recent leaks from TeamChina reveal that Fontaine will feature a 'twin city structure,' wherein the two cities will bear a resemblance to nineteenth-century London and Paris.
According to leaks shared by the credible Genshin leaker vississ on Twitter, Fontaine will be rife with numerous socio-political issues, placing a major emphasis on the clash between the upper and lower classes and the significant wealth disparity. In Fontaine, two prominent factions exist: the Faction of Light and the Faction of Desolation or Darkness.
Fontaine boasts a complex and convoluted legal system that even baffles Yanfei, our resident lawyer from Liyue. Leaked images indicate that the Court of Fontaine will occupy a substantial space, underscoring the importance placed on concepts of "justice" and "judgment" within the upcoming region.
However, this obsession with the "purity" of law is accompanied by something more ominous - a massive prison facility hidden beneath the city. NPC Julien reveals the existence of "metal boxes," where individuals deemed guilty are imprisoned and permanently isolated from the rest of the nation's population. This adds a darker and more ominous aspect to Fontaine's legal system. The societal segregation between the "guilty" and "non-guilty" raises questions about the nature of justice within the region.
This growing tension in Fontaine was hinted at by Liben, the “Marvelous Merchandise” travelling merchant NPC, who states that the present Fontaine is quite dangerous and oppressive in nature, and that “dark clouds were gathering there”. Locals have also been described by Liben to be antsy, believing that some type of “judgement” is soon to come.
Furthermore, based on conversations with the few NPCs that hail Fontaine, it becomes apparent that the nation is grappling with environmental pollution and an energy crisis, particularly in relation to water. According to Bertrand, the energy system in Fontaine is deemed "very special" but unsustainable. As a result, he embarked on a journey to Inazuma to explore alternative energy sources before the situation inevitably deteriorates, and “comes crashing down”.
Another intriguing fact about Fontaine is that all Oceanids (Lochfolk) originate from there, including Rhodeia of Loch, who resides in the waters just outside Qingce Village. The lore suggests that the Lochfolk departed from Fontaine as a result of conflicting ideals with the Hydro Archon.
Fontaine map and mechanics
Genshin fans can anticipate the introduction of Fontaine to bring forth new gameplay mechanics, just as the Waverider and Bouncy Mushrooms did in Inazuma and Sumera, respectively, among many things. However, Fontaine's mechanics are proving to be particularly groundbreaking. With persisting fan theories that suggest the existence of an underwater area in Mondstadt, Fontaine is finally introducing a diving mechanic that will immerse players in a whole new underwater realm.
Diving mechanic
The ‘diving certificate’ mentioned by NPC Vasco of Port Orsmo is finally coming to fruition!
During the conclusion of the Genshin Impact 3.7 Special Program event and the 3.8 Livestream, HoYoverse teased the long-awaited diving mechanic. It featured Aether, the Traveller, swimming through what appears to be the underwater realm of Fontaine. The teaser unveiled rich coral life and showcased new species of fish.
This revelation aligns with Fontaine's lore considering that the land is represented by the element of Hydro, and is rumoured to be abundant with lakes and rivers. From this, players can expect that a substantial portion of the region will be submerged, introducing a host of exciting new gameplay mechanics!
Cityscape and landscape
In the same 3.8 Livestream Fontaine teaser, HoYoverse gave Genshin fans a sneak peek into the what the nation of Hydro looks like, showcasing pristine city streets juxtaposed with grimy underground sewers. The teaser also panned over an elevated waterway transportation system, revealing an abundance of rivers, and waterfalls, as well as pockets of vibrant underwater colonies and towns.
In Genshin Impact, the debut of a new main region is always a momentous event as it heralds a plethora of fresh content for players to explore. As the release of Fontaine draws near, fans can anticipate HoYoverse to gradually unveil additional characters from the Hydro region, along with new in-game mechanics.
Map
According to leaks shared by videre, the first region of Fontaine available for exploration will be located just north of the desert coastal areas of Sumeru. Based on the available information, it seems that this initial area will have slightly less surface area compared to Sumeru in 3.0. However, it's worth noting that Fontaine, much like Sumeru, will feature lots of multi-layered terrain.
It’s important to bear in mind that leaked information can be subject to changes and should be taken with a grain of salt. However, this information comes from credible leakers who have maintained an impressive track record of accurate predictions regarding the game’s developments.
We will be updating this article when new information and leaks are released, so stay tuned for all the latest updates on this highly anticipated region release!
Interested in learning more about the upcoming major 4.0 update? Look no further. Familiarise yourself with all 18 Fontaine characters, and start planning your Primogem savings with our Fontaine character banner schedule here!
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