Genshin Impact 4.4 update: Release date, banners, and new characters (Updated)

Genshin Impact recently confirmed the new characters for version 4.4 in the latest livestream. According to the announcement, Xianyun and Gaming will be featured on the gacha banners during the Lantern Rite update. Some other beloved 5-stars from Liyue are also getting reruns during this period.

Given how grand the celebration for the Lantern Rite festival usually is, fans are highly excited for Genshin Impact's 4.4 update. As such, this article will provide the release date and time for the same. It will also include a universal countdown for your convenience.

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Genshin Impact 4.4 release date countdown and banners

Gaming and Xianyun drip marketing for v4.4 (Image via HoYoverse)

Genshin Impact version 4.4 livestream confirmed that the new patch will celebrate the Lantern Rite festival, which coincides with the Lunar New Year. This yearly occurrence provides players with a lot of rewards, including Primogems, free 4-star, and much more.

The livestream also revealed three new redemption codes granting 100x Primogems each. They are:

• FA9QAGYDZJEV
• MT88AYHCZ2UR
• BBQ8AZHUH2CZ

Genshin Impact's 4.4 update is set to be released on January 31, 2024. As per the usual pattern, the server maintenance for the patch should begin at 6 am (UTC +8) and end at 11 am (UTC +8). Players can refer to the countdown below to keep track of the release time.

The 4.4 update will be released on all servers simultaneously, and here are the local timings for various time zones:

America (January 30, 2024)

• Pacific Standard Time: 7 pm
• Mountain Standard Time: 8 pm
• Central Standard Time: 9 pm
• Eastern Standard Time: 10 pm

Europe (January 31, 2024)

• Western European Time: 3 am
• Central European Time: 4 am
• Eastern European Time: 5 am

Asia (January 31, 2024)

• India Standard Time: 8:30 am
• China Standard Time: 11 am
• Philippines Standard Time: 11 am
• Japanese Standard Time: 12 pm
• Korea Standard Time: 12 pm

Once the maintenance period is over and the new patch is live, players will be rewarded with 600x Primogems for the inconvenience.

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Genshin Impact 4.4 banners

Let's take a look at the banner schedule for version 4.4:

Phase I (January 31, 2024)

• 5-star: Xianyun (Cloud Retainer) and Nahida
• 4-star: Gaming, Faruzan, and Noelle

Phase II (February 21, 2024)

• 5-star: Xiao and Yae Miko
• 4-star: Yaoyao, Ningguang, and Xinyan

Xianyun, aka Cloud Retainer, has been officially confirmed to be a 5-star Anemo unit. her kit allows players to buff the damage of Plunge attacks and provide team-wide healing in combat. Moreover, under the effects of her Elemental Burst, party members will have their jumping heights increased.

The newly teased 4-star Pyro unit, Gaming, will be featured alongside Nahida and Xianyun in the first half during the Lantern Rite update. Xianyun's signature catalyst Crane's Echoing Call will also be featured alongside the 5-star weapon 'A Thousand Floating Dreams' for the duration.

The second half banners will rerun Xiao and Yae Miko banners with their signature weapons.

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For more information and updates, follow Sportskeeda's Genshin Impact hub.