Most of the time when a game adds a new area, it’s a permanent fixture, but that’s not going to be the case for Genshin Impact and its Summertide Scales and Tales update, which is opening up a new limited-time zone, a new character, and several new events.
The zone is called Simulanka, a fairy tale world that’s facing a massive threat big enough to leave a ground-cracking footprint for starters. Exploring this realm will put players into contact with origami animals to gather clues and revitalize the forest, as well as feature special new seasonal minigames.
In typical GI fashion, the update will also add a new character in the form of the five-star polearm-wielding Emilie, a Fontinian perfumer whose combat mechanics focus on dealing extra damage to burning enemies and utilizing a Lumidouce Case for even more damage. The update is also calling attention to new outfits for Nilou and Kirara, which can be obtained from the cash shop and the limited-time events in Simulanka that gives this update its name.
Speaking of events, there will also be an event that grants specific characters unique trailing effects, a new version of Finchball to play, another photo-taking event, and an event featuring an upgraded energy amplifier.
Finally, quality-of-life features are coming that dramatically reduce the cooldown time to summon original resin bosses, lets players store encounter points to spend on daily commission rewards, and lets long-term encounter points be converted into daily encounter points by completing resin-consuming activities.
All of this will arrive to the RPG on Wednesday, July 17th. Previews of what’s to come are available on the update’s landing site, in a preview program, and a teaser trailer.