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Genshin Impact 4.4 release date will land before the end of January, and the patch will feature the ever-popular in-game event known as the Lantern Rite festival event.
We now know the 4.4 banner lineup, featuring one brand new five-star character and a new four-star character. Alongside this, we will get plenty of freebies as part of the Lantern Rite and a new area to explore called the Chenyu Vale.
Since the Genshin Impact 4.4 release date will coincide with the Lantern Rite Festival, we can expect to see plenty of free Primogems and the chance to pick one of a selection of four-star characters. The Genshin Impact 4.4 special program has now aired, and we will share all the new details. Now, on to the release date.
Genshin Impact 4.4 release date
The Genshin Impact 4.4 release date is January 31, 2024. This date has now been confirmed by HoYoverse in the 4.4 livestream. We had guessed previously that it would begin on this day due to when the current 4.3 banners end, and this is correct. There is typically one day between the current Banner ending and the new patch starting, and we now know it will be on January 31.
Thankfully, Genshin Impact follows a scheduled update pattern. Genshin Impact 4.4 will release on January 31st. Each patch lasts about 40 days, which should see patch 4.4 end in early March 2024, but this is mere speculation for now.
Genshin Impact 4.4 Banners – Cloud Retainer (Xianyun) and Gaming
The Genshin Impact 4.4 banners have been confirmed, with Xianyun, Nahida, Yae Miko, and Xiao all appearing. As per the official Genshin Twitter, we’ve seen Cloud Retainer – also known as Xianyun – teased along with a brand new character called Gaming (pronounced Gah Ming, by the way). These Tweets shared information about the characters and let us know what elemental Vision they hold.
For those who don’t know, this drip marketing typically hints towards the characters who will appear in the next patch. Since these characters were revealed after patch 4.3 went live. As confirmed in the new 4.4 live stream, we know Cloud Retainer will be the newest five-star added to the roster while Gaming will be a four-star character during her banner.
As for the other 4.4 Banner characters, Nahida will run alongside Cloud Retainer in the first phase, while Yae Miko and Xiao will run together on the second phase banner. Each banner usually lasts for 21 days, and while not confirmed, we should expect the Genshin Impact 4.4 Banners to go live on the following days:
- Genshin Impact 4.4 Banner phase one – January 31, 2023
- Genshin Impact 4.4 Banner phase two – February 21, 2023
Genshin Impact 4.4 Banners – Cloud Retainer (Xianyun)
We know Xianyun, aka Cloud Retainer, will be one of the next five-star characters to appear on the Genshin 4.4 Banners. Her banner, called The Crane Soars Syward, will be live during the first phase, alongside a re-run for Nahida.
For those who have played Genshin for a long time, you will recognise Cloud Retainer as one of the important Adeptus characters in Liyue who features in the main story quest. At the moment, this is the information we have about Cloud Retainer from her drip marketing: she will have an Anemo Vision and her title is Passerine Herald.
“A new resident in the city, you say? Oh, it’s Cloud— I mean, Xianyun. Don’t be fooled by her usual manner… She’s someone you can truly rely on when the going gets tough. If you ever find yourself in trouble, just tell her — I’m sure she’d be willing to help.” — Madame Ping
- Weapon – Catalyst
- Vision – Anemo
- Rarity – 5-Star.
- Title – Passerine Herald
- Constellation: Grus Serena
Genshin Impact 4.4 Banners – Gaming
Gaming, known only previously as ‘Lion Boy’, is the four-star character, and he will be obtainable during the first banner phase of 4.4. This new four-star character uses the Pyro element and fights with a Claymore in a style reminiscent of dancing.
- Weapon – Claymore.
- Vision – Pyro
- Rarity – 4-Star
- Title – Leonine Vanguard
- Constellation – Leo Expergiscens
Here is the full Genshin Impact 4.4 Banner schedule:
Phase one:
- 5*: Xianyun
- 5*: Nahida
- 4*: Gaming
Phase two:
- Xiao (rerun)
- Yae Miko (rerun)
Genshin Impact 4.4 events – Lantern Rite Festival
During the 4.4 live stream, it was confirmed that the main event for Genshin 4.4 is the Lantern Rite. During this event, you will be able to claim any four-star character from Liyue for free, as well as being given 10 wishes for free.
There are three new character skins available during this event, and if you complete every event quest for the Lantern Rite you will be able to claim a free skin for Xingqiu. It appears that the new skins for Ganyu and Shenhe will only be available through buying them from the shop.
Genshin Impact 4.4 start time
The Genshin Impact 4.4 start time is 4 am (BST) on Wednesday, January 31. While this has not been officially confirmed, Genshin Impact updates always go live on a Wednesday morning and this fits with the predicted schedule. Server maintenance is usually finished at this time in the UK, meaning you can play from 4am on January 31. Use this table below to see when you can expect Genshin Impact 4.4 to go live in your region.
| Region | Start Time |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Wednesday, January 31, 4 am (BST) |
| East Coast US | Tuesday, January 30, 11 pm (EDT) |
| Central US | Tuesday, January 30, 10 pm (CDT) |
| West Coast US | Tuesday, January 30, 8pm (PDT) |
| Australia | Wednesday, September 31, 1pm (AEST) |
| Japan | Wednesday, January 31, 12pm (JST) |
| Europe | Wednesday, January 31, 5am (CEST) |
Please note that the Genshin Impact 4.4 start time in the table above is merely speculation based on previous updates. We will change this table if anything is wrong when we get an official confirmation about patch 4.4 from the next Genshin livestream.
Now you know when we expect the Genshin Impact 4.4 release date. For more Genshin, make sure you visit our Genshin Impact codes page to get some free rewards. If you want guides, check out our Navia best builds to learn about her.
