Genshin Impact 7.0 opens Snezhnaya and adds shooter combat on August 12

Genshin Impact's Version 7.0 livestream has detailed Snezhnaya, the seventh nation of Teyvat, and set the update's release for August 12, according to Dot Esports' rundown of the broadcast.

Snezhnaya has been built up since the game launched. It is presented as a frozen wasteland with winds strong enough to blow players away, and it carries its own cold system — one that works differently from Dragonspine's, with a gadget that keeps the player warm while exploring rather than scattered heat sources.

Trains link points of interest across the nation and double as a mobile base, equipped with a Firearm Workbench, a Crafting Table and a communicator for submitting Daily Commissions. Lapsed players can start the new Archon Quests directly, provided they have finished the Song of the Dragon and Freedom quest in Mondstadt.

Guns arrive in Teyvat

The largest mechanical change is third-person shooter gameplay, confined to Snezhnaya's Shadow Realm areas. It mixes gunplay with environmental interaction — breaking ice with a grenade launcher to drop enemies — alongside cover, vaulting and sliding to reposition. Three weapon variants were shown: a Cryo rifle for precision damage, an Electro rifle with an auto-lock feature, and a triple-element grenade launcher covering Pyro, Hydro and Cryo. Aim-assist options are included, as are higher-difficulty stages for players who want them.

Version 7.0 also introduces a new elemental reaction, Stellar Swirl. Anemo coming into contact with Cryo creates a Stellar Vortex that deals Anemo damage, then Cryo damage when it explodes, and it can be upgraded on the field by further Stellar Swirls. The Cryo Traveler is one way to trigger it and arrives with a unique sword, the Exaiphanes Blade, upgraded by interacting with Statues of the Seven across Snezhnaya.

Two new playable characters were shown. Odette is a five-star Cryo sword user, a prima ballerina whose kit triggers Stellar reactions and increases their damage. Alyosha is a four-star Electro polearm character who grants a Stellar-Conduct damage bonus, traps enemies and can restore the on-field character's HP with his Elemental Burst; he is obtainable during the "Everwinter Without Mercy" Archon Quest.

On banners, phase one features Odette and Arlecchino with Alyosha as a four-star boost, and phase two features Flins and Ineffa. The livestream also gave out three Primogem codes — Everwinter, OntoSnezhnaya and Odette0812 — and the version adds craftable weapons, battle pass weapons, artifact sets and new events.