What to Expect From Genshin Impact in 2024

Highlights

Genshin Impact players can expect new events like Lantern Rite and a Golden Apple Archipelago-style event in 2024, providing exciting gameplay opportunities and new storylines.
The upcoming Genshin Impact nation of Natlan will feature dragons and humans living together in tribes, though its release may be in late 2024 at the earliest.
The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch port of Genshin Impact may be released in 2024, possibly coinciding with the rumored release of the Nintendo Switch 2.

With the approach of the new year, there's a lot to look forward to in Genshin Impact. From new events to new characters, players and fans alike have a lot to keep an eye out for. Some things are guaranteed, some things are expected but not confirmed, but all in all, there's still plenty for players to mark on their calendars. Genshin Impact has already revealed some general information for the upcoming year.

The community has some strong speculation as to what events will be seen in the next year as well. Anything from the expected, and likely, Lantern Rite to another potential Genshin Impact Golden Apple Archipelago style event—there's a lot that players are certain will be seen. Not only this, but an official statement from the CEO of HoYoVerse reveals that 17 new playable characters should be released each year. HoYoVerse might not be able to hit this on the mark, but it is the goal for the game.

Genshin Impact 4.3 Livestream Explained

As Version 4.3 approaches for Genshin Impact, a special program breaks down what players can expect to see in this newest version of the game.

Genshin Impact 2024 News and Updates

Genshin Impact 2024: Natlan

One of the most exciting parts about 2024 will be the new Genshin Impact nation of Natlan, expected sometime around August/September like the other nations. Players have heard that the nation has dragons and humans living alongside each other, presumably in harmony, though players will have to wait and see how tensions are in this next nation. It was also said that the people of Natlan live in tribes.

Genshin Impact 2024: Events

As far as events go, fans are positive that they will see the return of Genshin Impact's Lantern Rite and a Golden Apple Archipelago-style event. For the Lantern Rite, players expect to see it around the same time they always do, January to February. Players will likely be able to play through new "booth" style mini-games during the event since the game has done this before. There's also the promise of the recently announced Cloud Retainer (Xianyun) and Gaming who should be dropped during Lantern Rite.

For the Golden Apple Archipelago-style event, players expect it might take place in Fontaine. Of course, these are new areas that are only there for the patch's duration, but similarly to how the last one was in Sumeru, fans expect this one to be in Fontaine. With that being said, some fans are excited to see who may be in the expected event's storyline. Seeing characters interact for the first time is always exciting and lights the community up like never before. Previously, fans have seen:

Original (1.6) Golden Apple Archipelago: Albedo, Barbara, Diluc, Jean, Kaeya, Klee, and Razor
Second (2.8) Golden Apple Archipelago: Fischl, Kazuha, Mona, and Xinyan
Veluriyam Mirage/Bottleland (3.8): Collei, Eula, Kaeya, Klee, and Kokomi

Genshin Impact 2024: The Switch Port

Players have been waiting for a Nintendo Switch announcement for Genshin Impact for some time now. Very little has come out about it, and some fans worry that they announced it and then proceeded to forget about it. However, back in October this year, it was confirmed that the Switch version of the game was still in development, and therefore a port release in 2024 is possible.

Because the Nintendo Switch 2 is rumored to be in the works , it could have been deemed that Genshin Impact should wait to be released on this new console instead, but only time will tell at this point.

Genshin Impact 2024 Rumor Recap

Genshin Impact fans are no strangers to leaks and rumors surrounding the game; the game has a very active leaking community. Some people have already gone into the files to find new NPC Chiori's model and the placement of her vision (a Geo vision that rests on her side). With the Archon Quest for Fontaine coming to a close, many in the community are waiting for fan-favorite Dainsleif to make his appearance and drop more lore for the game and the Abyss sibling. Considering the timing, it isn't off the table and may be seen before Natlan's chapter around August/September 2024.

Reliable leaks suggest that in 4.4, players could see the return of the log-in event "May Fortune Find You" to grant players 10 intertwined fates and other valuable gifts. Since this is also the patch that is most likely to be for Lantern Rite, players expect to be able to select a four-star character during the event. And though the character who should be selected will vary from account to account, since there is a new four-star character, Gaming, meant to come out, he will most likely be the most selected character for this event.

Genshin Impact Characters Coming in 2024

So far, players have noticed that when an NPC is given a significantly different design, they can be expected to be playable in the future (the only exception seen so far has been Signora). This may not be a rule of these NPCs, but it's one that players have been counting on for a while. Even if it takes a while, like with Genshin Impact's Wanderer and Baizhu, players love the prospect of saving up for a potentially playable character.

This being said, there are many characters that players are counting on seeing in the future. Aside from the recently confirmed Cloud Retainer and Gaming, there are many others who players are waiting for, such as Sigewinne, Chiori, Clorinde, Streetward Rambler (Madame Ping), and Fatui Harbinger Arlecchino. And while characters like Skirk, Dottore, and Dainslief also have different designs, players know it isn't likely that they'll be seen for a long while, if at all in the case of Skirk and Dottore.

For the two confirmed characters, Cloud Retainer (Xianyun) has been officially stated to have an Anemo vision and Gaming has been confirmed to have a Pyro vision. Reliable leakers say that Xianyun may have some healing in her kit, though it doesn't look like she's a full healer at this moment, but rather a support type.

Players interested in these two characters are encouraged to wait for official announcements from the livestream that will come at the end of the 4.3 patch. Otherwise, paying attention to reliable leakers and keeping in mind that the information is subject to change will work best for those who are too excited to sit and wait.