A leak from the beta test for Genshin Impact's upcoming 2.1 update revealed the game will implement a fishing mechanic. The Genshin Impact 2.0 update came out just this past week, and included major additions like the new Inazuma region and three new characters.
Fishing mechanics are often integral additions to gameplay for role-playing games like Genshin Impact. For example, fishing has been an essential part of the gameplay for several iterations of The Legend of Zelda since its first appearance in 1993's The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Similarly, fishing is considered to be one of the most important Red Dead Redemption 2 gameplay mechanics due to its use as a vehicle for character development. Fishing mechanics may seem to more often function like a simple side quest or minigame, but its frequent appearances in RPGs have made its absence in Genshin Impact quite noticeable to some.
According to unofficial Genshin Impact Twitter news account Genshin Report (via PC Gamer) and other sources, developer miHoYo will throw a fishing mechanic into the game's upcoming 2.1 update. The studio seems to be adapting to the surroundings it set in its recent 2.0 update, specifically to its newest playable area, the ocean archipelago of Inazuma. Water surrounds the entirety of Inazuma and its six different islands, making a fishing mechanic a feasible addition to Genshin Impact's gameplay. As is customary with rumors about future game updates, though, fans won't be sure about the new fishing mechanic until miHoYo verifies these leaks.
The upcoming Genshin Impact 2.1 will introduce three new characters as well, all of whom were confirmed by Genshin Impact's official Twitter account. Kokomi and Sara, characters who were both leaked before their official reveals in the 2.0 update's livestream announcement, will be playable Electro users after the 2.1 patch is released. Raiden Shogun, sometimes referred to as Baal, will serve as the game's antagonist before also becoming playable in the upcoming update. Genshin Impact hasn't confirmed the release date for the next update, but fans can anticipate the arrival of the 2.1 patch around six weeks after its predecessor based on the typical time between previous updates.
Genshin Impact's 2.0 update was definitely a big one - and its additions gave the game a fresh new feel that will hopefully help keep Genshin Impact enduringly relevant as new updates are churned out. It's also a good sign that fishing could potentially show up in the upcoming 2.1 update, seeing as many beloved RPGs have it in their gameplay; but the potential mechanic shows that there is a lot from Genshin Impact updates that fans can still anticipate.
Genshin Impact is available on PS5, PS4, PC, iOS, and Android.
Sources: Genshin Report (via PC Gamer), Genshin Impact