HoYoverse will release the update for the eighth month of the year for its open world adventure RPG 'Genshin Impact', titled 'Summer! Homecoming? The Fontinalia Festival!', on July 1.

This version introduces 'Sandrone', the 7th of the Fatui Harbingers who returns following the Node-Cry War, as a new 5-star playable character. Alongside her arrival, the new region 'Frost Moon', located beyond the skies of Teyvat, will open, and the Fontaine regional water festival, the 'Fontinalia Film Festival', will also be held.

Sandrone, a 5-star Cryo character who wields a two-handed sword, is the figure who once sacrificed herself in a fierce battle against Dottore to lead Columbina and the Traveler to victory. The story behind her return and the truth surrounding her resurrection will be revealed in this update.

In-game, she utilizes a new Cryo and Electro elemental reaction called the 'Star Superconduct Reaction.' When specific Cryo and Electro characters trigger this reaction, the surrounding environment transforms into a 'Polar Star Domain' for a set duration.

This domain features the ability to freeze and store elemental energy, converting it into a buff effect. Within the domain, all allied characters gain increased Star Superconduct reaction damage and Cryo/Electro elemental damage, while enemies' physical resistance is reduced.

Additionally, whenever she summons the general-purpose automaton 'Faggio' to perform a charged attack, she deals Star Superconduct-based damage and accumulates 'Calculation Points.' Using her Elemental Burst unleashes a powerful bombardment on enemies, and all beam damage dealt within the domain is treated as Star Superconduct damage.

The first phase of this version's event wish features the newly added 'Sandrone' alongside a rerun of 'Xilonen'. The second phase will feature rerun schedules for 'Columbina' and the 'Raiden Shogun'.

Players can board a spacecraft to travel through the skies of Teyvat and explore the lunar surface. The newly opened 'Frost Moon' region consists of diverse content, including lunar seas, space stations, and massive ruins containing the legacy of the ancient dragon kind. Players can traverse terrain using the unique power of the moon's surface or manipulate gravity, and a floor-level display system between the moon and Teyvat continent maps will be introduced for user convenience.

The 'Fontinalia Film Festival' kicks off on the Gallant ship in the Fontaine region. On-site, players can meet various characters, including 'Charlotte', 'Xilonen', and 'Sandrone' and 'Columbina', who participated as film crew members. There are also missions to help manage the onboard aquarium and attract festival visitors. Users who participate in the event will be rewarded with the 4-star character 'Charlotte' and an exclusive new outfit.

A new system, 'Witch's Revelation', is also being introduced. By completing the Hexenzirkel guide quest 'Accidental Revelation' and obtaining a 'Witch's Revelation Chest', players can unlock 'Revelation Interpretations' for characters like 'Wriothesley', 'Yae Miko', 'Cyno', 'Yumemizuki Mizuki', 'Qiqi', 'Diona', and 'Beidou' to gain additional stats enhancements.

Furthermore, the Starry Sea world theme will be revamped with summer-themed lobbies and costumes, and in-game activities will offer free Brilliant Crystals and a 4-star outfit set. Improvements to the creator editor tool and the addition of new environmental background assets will support a wider range of visual effects and object interactions.

At the end of the broadcast, HoYoverse surprised viewers by revealing a teaser video for the next region, 'Snezhnaya', heightening anticipation for future story developments. Detailed information regarding the update can be found on the official 'Genshin Impact' community (cafe).