Hoyoverse announces Genshin Impact 7.1 Special Program date
HoYoverse has announced the Version 7.1 Special Program for Genshin Impact, setting the livestream for September 12 at 8 a.m. EDT (12 p.m. GMT). The broadcast will reveal new content and developments for the upcoming update and distribute new redemption codes and other rewards.
The announcement gives players a clear indication of where the next chapter of the Snezhnaya storyline is heading. The promotional artwork for «A Requiem for the Underworld» brings together the Tsaritsa, Rhinedottir, also known as Gold, Ronova, Pierro and Dainsleif alongside 7.1 characters including Vesna and Vodyanitsa.
With both the Cryo Archon and one of the most important figures of the Hexenzirkel placed so prominently, 7.1 appears poised to expand the story well beyond the Fatui politics established in Version 7.0.
Tsaritsa, Gold and Dainsleif point to a lore-heavy update
The presence of Rhinedottir is particularly significant. Gold has remained one of the game’s most consequential off-screen figures since her experiments contributed to the events surrounding Khaenri’ah and the creation of creatures such as Albedo. Her appearance alongside the Tsaritsa and Ronova suggests that the conflict surrounding Death, Celestia, and the deeper history of Teyvat will increasingly intertwine.
The poster also confirms the return of Dainsleif, whose appearance has traditionally marked some of the game’s most important lore developments. Current information circulating around Version 7.1 points to him appearing during the second set of Archon Quest acts rather than being reserved for the end of the Snezhnaya storyline.
That would make the upcoming year the second consecutive year in which Dainsleif appears before the end of the patch series, following his role in the previous cycle. His presence is particularly intriguing given that Rhinedottir is one of the figures he has reason to confront and that Pierro, another Khaenri’ahn central to the story, is also featured on the artwork.
The combination of Dainsleif, Pierro, Rhinedottir and the Tsaritsa could therefore bring together several strands of Genshin Impact lore that have previously developed separately.
Vesna could become central in next AQ
Another major question concerns Vesna, who was initially only a rumoured addition to the 7.1 character lineup. That speculation has since gained considerably more weight: HoYoverse officially introduced Vesna as a playable character in August, identifying her as the commander-in-chief of the Druzhna and a member of the ancient Strivozha clan.
Her appearance in 7.1 makes it reasonable to expect the game to introduce her more fully through the upcoming story. Given her position within Snezhnaya’s military structure and her direct connection to the Tsaritsa, an Archon Quest centred partly on Vesna would fit naturally with the direction set by Version 7.0.
Previous and next phases of Snezhnaya
The scale of the teased 7.1 storyline follows an unusually lore-heavy opening to Snezhnaya.
Version 7.0, «Everwinter Without Mercy», launched on August 12 and introduced Snezhnaya as a new major region. It added characters including Odette and Alyosha, the Stellar Swirl reaction, the Eye of Graeae exploration gadget and new mechanics involving Prime Ice Constructs.
Version 7.0 established Project Stuzha, the Fatui’s research into Mistilteinn and the development of anti-Celestia energy. It also connected that technology to Stellar Linchpins and the larger conflict with the Heavenly Principles.
