Genshin Impact version 1.6 is out right now and that means all the new features mentioned below are live in-game! There's also a new Photo Contest starting, if you're interested. Here's everything you need to know below.
LATEST - Genshin Impact Version 1.6 Is Out Now
Genshin Impact's latest title update is out right now and that means there's a lot to do, all of a sudden. If you're looking to dive straight into the narrative bones of the update, Klee needs help dealing with the Dodo King on the new mysterious archipelago.
If you're looking for something a little bit more creative, there's always the new "Midsummer Island Adventure" Photo Contest.
It's running until June 30th at 23:59 UTC+8 and all you need to do is post a photo on Twitter related to the Genshin Impact Islands and the elements of the islands with the hashtag "#GenshinIslands".
If you do fancy taking part, you could be in with a chance of winning the following:
- Special Prize x5
- Paimon Doll x1
- Primogems x600
- Runners-Up Prize x18
- Character Portrait Phone Stand (Random) x1
- Primogems x300
- Lucky Prize x50
- Discord Advanced Nitro Subscription (Valued at $9.99)
For more information about the contest and the Ts&Cs, check out miHoYo's post here.
How To Pre-Install The Genshin Impact 1.6 Update
The Genshin Impact 1.6 update is nearly here, and miHoYo has activated pre-loading, which will allow players to install the update early so they can dive back into the game once downtime ends.
This is useful for players with slow internet connections as they can have everything ready to go in advance.
Here is how to pre-load.
PC
When opening the launcher you will be prompted to update it, you will need to update the launcher before you next play regardless of whether you pre-load so make sure this is done.
Once the launcher is updated, click the pre-installation button at the bottom of the launcher.
Once you confirm the update it will then begin, the file size is 8.1GB.
Mobile
Travellers may begin pre-installing update resources by going to the Paimon Menu > Settings > Other > Pre-Install Resource Package.
PlayStation
Unfortunately, pre-loading the update isn't available on the PS4 or PS5, players will have to wait until downtime begins in order to update the game.
Genshin To Be Added To The EGS
Surprise! The Epic Games Store is coming in clutch and adding miHoYo's game to its growing library of games! Genshin Impact is joining Epic Games' online store on June 9th, next week. What's more, this isn't even going to count as next week's new mystery free game! We've still got that to come.
There's only one thing we don't know at the moment... We don't know when it is going to hit the EGS specifically. We know that miHoYo operates in the UTC +8 timezone, so that means it's listed as June 10th for the UK's Epic Games Store. This makes it a bit tricky to give an accurate estimation of the time.
There's also no word on whether Genshin Impact will have cross-progression features going forwards but it's notoriously a gacha game where rerolling involves having to create a new account altogether.
If you're new, though, you can throw the code "GenshinEpic" into the in-game redemption system and get yourself a little something to help you start out. We're not sure if this works on other platforms, yet.
Character Costumes Are Finally Here
If there's one thing Genshin Impact players have been asking for for a little while now, it's Character Skins. Thankfully, miHoYo was listening and version 1.6 is going to introduce a few new Character Costumes to the game!
As new features go, it's a pretty great one and we can only hope Genshin Impact supports this fully going forwards. We can imagine the latest characters to get Banners would be a good place for them to start.
At the moment, we only know about two new Character Costumes and we're not fully sure as to whether they will be the only two added at the moment.
Firstly, Jean is getting a summery outfit entitled "A dream of a sea breeze". You can check it out in the tweet below:
" A dream of a sea breeze" will be on sale at the in-game shop indefinitely. The price during the limited-time sale will be 1350 pieces of Sosei Crystal, and after the limited-time sale, the selling price will return to 1680 pieces of Sosei Crystal."
In addition to this, Barbara is also getting a similar-styled outfit called "Summertime Sparkle". This will be available for free during the "Narrative of Afterglow" story event that's due to arrive in Genshin Impact version 1.6.
Following the end of version 1.6, the skin will be sold in the in-game shop for 1680 Sosei Crystals.
We're under the impression that Sosei Crystals are essentially Primogems, however, we'll need to wait for the English-language version of the stream to confirm this.
Genshin Impact Has Boats Now?
Midsummer Island Adventure is the name of the main Genshin Impact version 1.6 seasonal event and it's adding a pretty massive new feature for a limited time.
Genshin Impact is getting boats! Well, it's just the one boat actually. The Waverider is going to take you and your party out into a secluded archipelago in uncharted waters on an exciting adventure where you'll need to help Klee, a Dodo-King and Dodoco.
" The Midsummer Island Adventure main event will be divided into four stages, each featuring unique gameplay.
" In the first stage, players need to sail on the Waverider and destroy enemy floating towers and encampments, either through firing your boat’s cannon or in close combat.
" In the next stage, players will be challenged in a race that combines both sailing and flying.
" The third stage will put your combat skills to test with the new opponent, Maguu Kenki.
" And finally, players will be asked to clear out nearby monster encampments with the aid of three kinds of Harpastum Bombs."
Echoing Conches & More
Another interesting new feature that's being added to Genshin Impact in version 1.6 is the Echoing Conches that you'll need for the Echoing Tales event.
During this event, which is just one of the several new events coming to Genshin Impact, you'll be asked to search for Echoing Conches around the new archipelago. These, aside from building up to help you unlock the event's rewards, will also give you a chance to listen to some exciting stories and interesting tales.
We don't know what they'll be about just yet, but it's worth keeping an eye out for.
As for the other new features we might be seeing? We'll just have to wait until Genshin Impact version 1.6 launches next month. miHoYo has to keep some secrets, right?