Genshin Impact: Next update could be delayed due to Covid-19
Some recent rumors, based on some occurrences on the Beta Test of Genshin Impact, are suggesting that the next update could be delayed due to a recent Covid-19 wave in Shanghai. The region is currently on a lockdown, and it seems that the situation ended up affecting the development of the game.
This would be a never-seen-before situation for Hoyoverse, as Genshin’s development was finished during the peak of the pandemic when they were still only known as miHoYo. From then on, no patches received any delay, and have always followed the 2-month circle. This may have some consequences on the subsequent releases.
The rumors have been around in the last few days, and while there’s no official confirmation from Hoyoverse currently, it could happen around the estimated end of the current patch, in which it could be extended for some more days.
According to a Reddit post, the rumors have been circulating in the Chinese community for a while, and with the recently announced Marvelous Merchandise event for 2.6, they gained some strength since some of the dates do not connect.
The announced Ayaka banner ends on May 10th, which should be the official end of the update, as it has been in the past. But Liben’s event is scheduled to end on May 12th, two days after the supposed end of 2.6, while those events usually end two days prior to it.
Another fact pointing at the Genshin update being delayed due to Covid is that, seemingly, the Battle Pass exp requirements for 2.7 have been shortened, since the update would have fewer days than usual. 2.7 would only last for 3 weeks, having Yelan as its solo banner.
Also, Itto would have his rerun earlier alongside Xiao, according to another earlier leak from the NGA forums. It was also pointed out that this rerun would happen before the 2.7 update, which was not believable at the point, but now has a real chance of happening.
Until there’s an official statement from Hoyoverse, the 2.7 version is still scheduled to come right after Ayaka’s banner, but with all of these strange coincidences, we might see the first time a patch would be delayed. For all of those wishing for Yelan and Shinobu, take your time to save more primos.
READ MORE: Genshin Impact: Is Kunikuzushi actually Scaramouche?
Genshin Impact is currently in its 2.6 version, “Zephyr of the Violet Garden”, which features the return of Venti, Ayaka, and the introduction of her older brother, Kamisato Ayato. The Chasm is also available, with new enemies, quests, treasures, puzzles, and lore to discover next to Liyue.
You can play the game for free on mobile devices including Android, iOS, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and Pc on both Hoyoverse’s official launcher and Epic Games Store. A Nintendo Switch version is stated to be in development.
