HoYoverse held the Special Program for Genshin Impact Version 7.0 this Friday, July 31, revealing the main features coming with the game’s next major update.
Officially titled “Everwinter Without Mercy,” Version 7.0 will introduce players to Snezhnaya, the long-awaited Cryo nation ruled by the Tsaritsa. The update is scheduled to launch on August 12, 2026.
During the livestream, HoYoverse showcased new playable characters, limited-time banners, environments, enemies, events and major developments in the main storyline.
As usual, the company also released three limited-time redemption codes offering a total of 300 Primogems.
After years of references, Fatui-related storylines and mysteries scattered throughout Teyvat, Travelers will finally begin exploring Snezhnaya in Genshin Impact 7.0.
The region is associated with the Cryo element and ruled by the Tsaritsa, one of the Seven Archons. Snezhnaya has also served as the headquarters of the Fatui, an organization that has played a central role in the game’s story since its launch.
During the Special Program, HoYoverse presented Snezhnaya as a nation trapped beneath an almost permanent winter. Its environments combine frozen landscapes, industrial technology, railways, large cities and imposing structures built across the snow.
The beginning of the Snezhnaya chapter is expected to become a decisive moment in the main Teyvat storyline. The Fatui have already collected several Gnoses as part of the Tsaritsa’s mysterious plan, placing the Traveler closer than ever to discovering her true objectives.
The trailer for Everwinter Without Mercy suggested that Version 7.0 will carry considerably more narrative weight than a standard Genshin Impact update.
Several characters connected to the Fatui appeared during the presentation, including the Tsaritsa and prominent members of the organization.
Their presence indicates that the opening chapter of Snezhnaya will focus on the nation’s internal conflicts, the relationships between the Fatui Harbingers and the forces competing for political control.
The update may also provide new information about the Tsaritsa’s past, her motivations and the events that caused her to turn against the established order of Teyvat.
Without revealing major spoilers, the Special Program made it clear that Snezhnaya will bring the Traveler closer to the final stages of the game’s original overarching storyline.
One of the main announcements from the Genshin Impact 7.0 livestream was Odette, a new five-star Cryo character.
Known as “Swirling Snow,” Odette is the principal dancer of the Korolevskiy Troupe. Her visual design combines elements inspired by classical ballet, swans and the frozen landscapes of Snezhnaya.
Odette uses a sword in combat and is connected to new combat mechanics involving Cryo-based reactions. Her abilities appear to combine personal damage with support effects for teams featuring Cryo, Electro and Anemo characters.
The character is also expected to play an important role in the Snezhnaya storyline. Promotional materials suggest that Odette is caught between her public identity as a celebrated performer and the interests of the political forces operating across the nation.
The second new playable character revealed during the Special Program was Alyosha, a four-star Electro unit who uses a polearm.
Known as the “Swift-Striding Hound,” Alyosha is a hunter accustomed to surviving in Snezhnaya’s most dangerous frozen territories.
He is accompanied by his loyal hunting dog, Tugarin, and also uses a rifle during some of his combat animations.
Alyosha was presented as a support-oriented character capable of applying Electro and providing bonuses to his teammates. His abilities are expected to work particularly well alongside Odette and teams built around the new elemental interactions introduced in Version 7.0.
The livestream also revealed the limited-time character banners planned for Genshin Impact Version 7.0.
The first half of the update will feature:
Odette, a new five-star Cryo character;
Arlecchino, a returning five-star Pyro character;
Alyosha, a new four-star Electro character.
The first phase should be particularly attractive to players looking for powerful damage dealers or those who want to experiment with the new Cryo and Electro team compositions.
The second half of Version 7.0 will feature:
Flins, a five-star Electro character;
Ineffa, a five-star Electro character.
These returning characters are expected to complement teams based on the elemental mechanics introduced throughout the recent updates.
Players should consider their available Primogems carefully, as Version 7.0 includes several characters with different roles and team-building possibilities.
Version 7.0 will continue expanding Genshin Impact’s elemental combat system with new interactions involving Cryo, Electro and Anemo.
Odette appears to be one of the central characters designed around these mechanics, while Alyosha will provide Electro application and team support.
The system may also increase the value of older characters by allowing them to participate in new team compositions. Players who already own well-built Cryo, Electro or Anemo units could have more options without needing to replace their entire roster.
Instead of simply introducing stronger characters, HoYoverse appears to be focusing on creating additional team archetypes and giving previously underused elemental combinations a more important role.
The main limited-time event in Genshin Impact 7.0 will be the Great Expeditionist Challenge.
In the event’s story, the Traveler and Paimon visit the headquarters of the Adventurers’ Guild in Snezhnaya before becoming involved in a special competition.
The event will include four different activities.
One challenge will require players to shoot a selection of targets. Another will place them in control of a train traveling across Snezhnaya’s railway system, where they must follow specific rules and reach the destination within the time limit.
Players will also participate in battles involving giant snowballs and a strategy-based challenge set inside a maze of ice structures.
Completing the event activities will reward players with Primogems, Mora, character development materials and a Crown of Insight.
HoYoverse released three promotional codes during the Version 7.0 Special Program:
Everwinter — 100 Primogems and 10 Mystic Enhancement Ores;
OntoSnezhnaya — 100 Primogems and five Hero’s Wit;
Odette0812 — 100 Primogems and 50,000 Mora.
Special Program codes are normally available for a limited period, so players should redeem them as soon as possible.
Codes can be redeemed through the official Genshin Impact website or directly inside the game by opening Settings, selecting Account and choosing Redeem Code.
Genshin Impact Version 7.0 will be released on August 12, 2026.
The update will be available on PC, mobile devices, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Version 7.0 will officially begin the Snezhnaya chapter, introducing new areas, Archon Quests, playable characters, bosses, exploration mechanics and limited-time events.
With one of the most anticipated regions in Genshin Impact history, several major Fatui characters and revelations that could reshape everything players know about Teyvat, Everwinter Without Mercy has the potential to become one of the game’s most important updates.
The greatest mysteries of Snezhnaya remain hidden beneath the snow—and the Traveler is about to discover how far the Tsaritsa is willing to go to challenge the fate of Teyvat.
The Genshin Impact 7.0 livestream revealed Snezhnaya, new playable characters, banners, events, story content and free Primogem codes.
Mis à jour le: 31.07.2026•Par:
Gabby
