HoYoverse did not just release Genshin Impact Version 7.0 on August 12, 2026. It skipped Version 6.8 entirely to get there. That kind of scheduling decision suggests a studio that wanted a clean, symbolic jump into its final major region. Snezhnaya is the Fatui’s home turf, ruled by the Tsaritsa, and it has been teased since the earliest Archon Quests. Reaching it pays off a plot thread that has been simmering since the game launched in 2020.
- Version 7.0, “Everwinter Without Mercy,” launched August 12, 2026, and Version 6.8 was skipped.
- Snezhnaya is the seventh and final nation, built around Kresnik energy and a train network.
- New: the Eye of Graeae tool (including a third-person shooter mode), the Stellar Swirl reaction, Odette (5-star Cryo Sword) and Alyosha (4-star Electro Polearm).
- Version 7.1 has since launched on September 23 with Vesna and Vodyanitsa.
What is in the Snezhnaya region
Snezhnaya is known as the Nation of Cryo and uses Kresnik energy for warmth. Players cross snowy tundra connected by a train system, and the environment is built to feel hostile by default, so this is not a snowy reskin of an existing biome. The new Eye of Graeae tool ties much of it together. The goggles let you call trains, fabricate Prime Ice Constructs for puzzle solving and for interacting with other players, and unlock a third-person shooter mode.
A third-person shooter mode is unusual for Genshin, which has stuck to action-RPG combat and light puzzles for six years. Whether it stays a gimmick for specific puzzle sequences or becomes a recurring pillar depends on how heavily later Archon Quests lean on it.
New characters: Odette and Alyosha
Version 7.0 adds two playable characters. Odette is a 5-star Cryo Sword wielder, and her swordsmanship draws on ballet. Alyosha is a 4-star Electro Polearm wielder, a Snezhnayan hunter who is free during the first phase. The Traveler also gains a Cryo alignment, unlocked by interacting with a Statue of the Seven in Snezhnaya, following the same pattern as earlier regional elements.
New elemental reaction: Stellar Swirl
Stellar Swirl triggers when you combine Anemo and Cryo, creating a vortex that deals both elements’ damage. It is the second reaction in the Stellar Glimmer system, following Stellar-Conduct from an earlier version. A secondary reaction system running alongside the classic one suggests HoYoverse wants to keep build diversity fresh for veterans who have had the same seven elements for years.
The Archon Quest and rewards
The Archon Quest focuses on a catastrophic blizzard and the energy crisis it causes in Snezhnaya, and on the forces behind it. Completing it rewards 560 Primogems. Maintenance began around 3:00 PM PST on August 11 for North America, and 6:00 AM CST on August 12 for the rest of the world, with a window of roughly five hours. Players at Adventure Rank 5 and above received 300 Primogems in compensation, the standard downtime payout.
Banners during Version 7.0
Phase 1 Event Wishes ran from August 12 through September 1. Phase 2 featured Flins and Ineffa and ran from September 1 through September 22.
Update: Version 7.1 is out
When this article was first published, Version 7.1 had no confirmed date and its characters were rumors. That has changed. Version 7.1, “A Rekviem for the Underworld,” launched on September 23, 2026 and continues the Snezhnaya Archon Quest. It doubles as the game’s sixth anniversary. Two characters launched together: Commander Vesna (Anemo, one-handed) and the opera singer Vodyanitsa (Hydro, catalyst). Phase 1 banners run from September 23 to October 14, and Phase 2 is planned to feature reruns. Anniversary rewards reportedly include 20 pulls in total plus two free 5-star selectors, one standard and one limited. Reward details come from third-party coverage, so confirm them in the in-game mail and event pages.
Our take
The third-person shooter mode is the most interesting swing HoYoverse has taken in a long time. It is a smart way to make Snezhnaya feel mechanically distinct from earlier regions, not just visually distinct. The lesson from 7.1 is the one we gave before: wait for the official livestream before treating a leak as fact, because banner order and character kits have changed between leak and release in the past.
When did Genshin Impact Version 7.0 release?
Version 7.0, Everwinter Without Mercy, released on August 12, 2026. Version 6.8 was skipped.
Who are the new characters in Genshin Impact 7.0?
Odette, a 5-star Cryo Sword character, and Alyosha, a 4-star Electro Polearm character who is free in the first phase.
What is Stellar Swirl in Genshin Impact?
A reaction triggered by combining Anemo and Cryo that creates a vortex dealing both elements’ damage. It is the second reaction in the Stellar Glimmer system.
What is the Eye of Graeae?
A new Snezhnaya exploration tool that lets you call trains, fabricate Prime Ice Constructs and activate a third-person shooter mode.
When did Genshin Impact 7.1 come out?
Version 7.1, A Rekviem for the Underworld, launched on September 23, 2026 with Vesna and Vodyanitsa.
Sources
- Genshin Impact Version 7.0 Takes Players to Snezhnaya in August, RPGamer (July 31, 2026)
- Genshin Impact Reaches Snezhnaya in Version 7.0 on August 12, Anime Corner
- Genshin Impact version 7.0 update brings Travelers to Snezhnaya, Notebookcheck
- Genshin Impact 7.1 banner breakdown, GenshinBuilds (Version 7.1 details)
