Genshin Impact's Version 7.1 livestream set for September 12

HoYoverse has confirmed that Genshin Impact's Version 7.1 Special Program will be broadcasted on Saturday, September 12, airing on the game's official YouTube and Twitch channels at 8:00 AM EDT (12:00 PM UTC).

The stream is expected to preview the next Snezhnaya-focused update and detail plans for the open-world RPG's sixth anniversary on September 28. HoYoverse has not yet confirmed a name for the new patch, though the update is expected to arrive on iOS, Android, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Snezhnaya story and new characters

Version 7.1 is expected to continue the Snezhnaya arc, following the Traveler and Paimon deeper into the region's politics. HoYoverse has already confirmed two new playable characters through drip marketing: Vesna, reported to be a 5-star Anemo sword user built around the Stellar Swirl reaction, and Vodyanitsa, described as a 5-star Hydro catalyst support who heals and enables off-field damage. Their exact kits and rarities come from unofficial pre-release testing and could still change before the livestream locks them in. Leakers have also floated reruns for the Cryo units Skirk and Escoffier, though other sources point to Zibai and Linnea instead, so the banner lineup stays unconfirmed until HoYoverse's broadcast.

Sixth anniversary rewards expected

Version 7.1 is expected to coincide with the sixth anniversary on September 28. Based on the pattern from previous years, players can likely expect around 1,600 Primogems delivered by mail, a seven-day login card worth 10 Intertwined Fates, a commemorative wind glider, and a Sanctifying Elixir for artifact crafting. HoYoverse has traditionally also reset the Initial Top-Up Bonus across Genesis Crystal tiers for a limited window, though that hasn't been officially confirmed for this update yet.

The anniversary's biggest draw remains the free Standard 5-star Character Selector. As in past years, Travelers should be able to choose one character from the Wanderlust Invocation pool, which currently includes Diluc, Jean, Mona, Keqing, Qiqi, Tighnari, Dehya, and Mizuki, to add instantly to their roster.

Full details, including the confirmed banner order and anniversary rewards, arrive when HoYoverse's Special Program goes live on September 12.