Genshin Impact players are bracing themselves for potentially disappointing news following a recent leak that suggests a significant shift in HoYoverse’s traditional content release schedule. The beloved open-world RPG, known for its consistent updates and character introductions, might be heading into uncharted territory with its upcoming Version 5.8.
The Unexpected Halt: No New Characters in Version 5.8?
A highly credible leaker within the Genshin Impact community, Uncle Kokomi, has revealed that Version 5.8 is not expected to introduce any new characters. This news has sent ripples of concern and discussion throughout the player base. Since the game’s official launch, HoYoverse has maintained a steady stream of new playable characters with each major update, making this potential break in tradition a significant deviation.
Natlan’s Character Count: A Shortfall?
Since the introduction of the Inazuma region in Version 2.0, Genshin Impact has seemingly adhered to an unspoken rule: each new nation would feature a total of 17 playable characters, gradually released across subsequent updates. Both Sumeru and Fontaine followed this pattern meticulously. Players naturally anticipated the same for Natlan, the land of fire and battle.
However, as of Version 5.7, only 16 characters from Natlan have been introduced. The latest additions, Skirk and Dahlia, arrived on June 18, 2025. If Uncle Kokomi’s leak proves true and Version 5.8 brings no new characters, it means Natlan could potentially conclude with only 16 characters, one short of the established norm.
A Double-Edged Sword: Player Perspectives
While many players are understandably disheartened by the prospect of a character-less update, some within the community see this as a potentially astute move by HoYoverse.
A Much-Needed Breather?
The ever-expanding roster of Genshin Impact characters has led to increasing pressure on players to keep up with the meta, especially for free-to-play users. A temporary halt in new character releases could provide a much-needed “breather.” This would allow the community to accumulate resources, such as Primogems and ascension materials, and adequately prepare for the characters arriving from the next region, Nod-Krai.
Furthermore, Version 5.8 is set to feature rerun banners for highly anticipated and powerful characters like Chasca, Mualani, and Citlali. This presents an excellent opportunity for players who missed out on these characters previously to finally add them to their rosters.
The Looming Concern: Lack of Open-World Content
Despite the character situation, a more pressing concern for many players is the dearth of open-world content in Natlan. As of the end of Version 4.4, Natlan has only received two map expansions, whereas Fontaine had four expansions within the same timeframe. This stark contrast has left many players feeling a “content drought,” particularly those who enjoy exploration and completing in-game achievements. The excitement of new characters often goes hand-in-hand with new areas to explore and challenges to overcome.
What Does This Mean for Genshin Impact’s Future?
This potential shift in HoYoverse’s release strategy raises questions about the future of Genshin Impact. Will this become a new norm, or is it an isolated instance to re-evaluate their content pipeline? While a break from new characters might offer some relief, the slower pace of open-world development in Natlan is undeniably a source of worry for dedicated adventurers.
What are your thoughts on this leak? Do you think a pause in new characters is a good thing, or are you more concerned about the lack of exploration content in Natlan?
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