Genshin Impact update 4.8 launches in July

Developer miHoYo has announced the next Genshin Impact update 4.8 is launching this month, bringing with it new characters and more.

The new Genshin Impact update 4.8 “Summertide Scales and Tales” will launch on July 17th for all platforms. Fans can expect the new Simulanka limited-time map, new character Emilie, new outfits, seasonal events, optimizations, and more.

Here’s a rundown on all the content, plus some new trailers:

Genshin Impact’s Version 4.8 “Summertide Scales and Tales” features a brand-new summer map Simulanka. The adventure in this limited-time magical world brings new stories, seasonal events, rich rewards, as well as a fresh look for Nilou and Kirara. In addition, Emilie, a perfumer will debut as the new recruitable five-star character who can deal even more damage to Burning enemies.

Simulanka is a captivating world consisting of several distinct lands populated by origami creatures, clockwork figures, and other fantastical beings. Together with Kirara, Nilou, Navia, and the Wanderer, players can explore the enchanting landscapes, lend a hand to resolve an impending crisis, as well as uncover the truth and surprises of this magical world.

This journey will also be punctuated by seasonal events that will take place around Simulanka, which include a variety of mini-games and bonuses. Players will be able to try their hand at mini-games such as “Boreal Flurry” where they can shoot balloons while enjoying an aerial experience overlooking Simulanka, the claw-machine-like game “Flying Hatter’s Trick” to capture as many moving toy figures as possible, or “Metropole Trials” where they will have to assemble two teams of characters to take on the combat challenges. By successfully completing these mini-games, players will be able to obtain Starsail Coins to draw for a multitude of figurines with diverse gestures, which can be displayed on “Good Shelves” scattered throughout Simulanka. “Good Shelves” can also be obtained as Furnishings as a reward for completing all main stories in Simulanka. They can then be placed in the Serenitea Pot as summer souvenirs!

Moreover, two heroines of the adventure, Kirara and Nilou, will show up in their new outfits. Players can recruit Kirara into the team for free by drawing for a certain number of figurines, and get Kirara’s new phantom burglar-themed outfit by accumulating “Excerpts of Bliss” as they collect “Jubilant Feathers” and open “Fairytale Troves” around Simulanka. Meanwhile, Nilou’s new floral-themed outfit will be available at a limited-time discount in the store.

Alongside the familiar faces, the new 5-star Dendro polearm user and famous perfumer Emilie will make her debut. She has unique abilities that allow her to deal more damage to Burning enemies. Her combat mechanics revolve around the “Lumidouce Case,” which intermittently inflicts Dendro DMG. If enemies are affected by the Burning effect, the Case can be upgraded and deal greater damage based on her attack. It also benefits from a greater attack range and faster attack speed. Emilie’s Story Quest, “Pomum de Ambra Chapter,” delves into her second identity as a “forensic cleaner” expert in crime scene investigation and unravels the mystery surrounding the “Auguste” flower. Emilie’s debut and Yelan’s rerun will appear in the latter half of Version 4.8 Event Wishes. Reruns of Navia and Nilou will take place in the first phase of the version.

Following the reduction in level requirements in Version 4.7, another optimization will be made to the Encounter Point System. It will allow players to store Encounter Points and use them later to claim Daily Commission rewards at their convenience. New Long-Term Encounter Points can be converted from excess points accumulated beyond the daily limit, by completing quests, collecting specific items such as Oculi, opening chests or completing event objectives. To convert Long-Term Encounter Points into Daily Encounter Points, simply complete activities that consume Original Resin, such as claiming rewards from Ley Line Blossoms, Trounce Domains, and World Bosses. However, the Long-Term Encounter Points will be reset with every version update that ends with “.0,” such as Version 5.0.

Furthermore, the cooldown for World Bosses which cost 40 Original Resin to claim rewards has been drastically reduced from 5 minutes to just 10 seconds. This enhancement enables smoother challenges, quicker Resin consumption, and facilitates the conversion of Long-Term Encounter Points to claim Daily Commission bonuses.

Another new V4.8 feature, “Echo,” will add new effects to character movements, leaving a unique trailing effect while sprinting. In Version 4.8, players will be able to obtain Echoes for Diluc, Qiqi, Kirara, Jean and Ningguang by completing the “Envisaged Echoes” challenges in the Imaginarium Theater lobby. Accessing these challenges requires the use of two special keys. Two keys will be granted to the player upon entering “Envisaged Echoes,” while additional keys can be obtained by completing Act 6 of the Imaginarium Theater each season.

Genshin Impact is available and free-to-play on Windows PC (via the Epic Games Store and official website), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Android, iOS, and coming soon to Nintendo Switch. Check out our review here!