Although Version 1.6 of Genshin Impact will just now be getting underway, developer miHoYo has already released images and additional information about several upcoming characters. It's a surprise move from the company, which usually saves these kinds of reveals for its own livestreams. So, why is miHoYo revealing characters so early for Genshin Impact now?
The latest character reveals were somewhat of a shock. While Kazuha had already been confirmed for 1.6 (and had leaked from the beta beforehand), and Ayaka has been rumored as a playable character for months, new designs for Sayu and Yoimiya were shown off. The images were accompanied by small facts letting fans know what these characters were like, how they relate to in-game lore, and what kind of element they use in combat. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise that got plenty of people excited for future Genshin Impact updates.
The biggest question, of course, may have been why miHoYo decided to reveal these characters in the first place. Most likely, this is what the company was referring to when it teased that it would become a leaker itself, slowly releasing info about future updates to the public. At a time when Genshin Impact leaks are so prevalent, it's perhaps not surprising that miHoYo wants to beat leakers to releasing information.
Why Genshin Impact Leaks Are Such A Problem
Genshin Impact has always been the subject of leaks, from datamined character designs to concept art that's surfaced early on the internet. There's almost always some new leak to find online, and it's only getting more common. This is most likely due to the beta tests held for upcoming versions of the game, which has seen almost everything from Version 1.5 and Version 1.6 leak ahead of miHoYo's own official livestreams, despite players having to sign NDAs.
With the Genshin Impact 1.7 beta test, it's only a matter of time before characters and content started to leak. This is the most likely reason why miHoYo released character designs for Yoimiya and Sayu early. They're likely the Banner characters for the next update, and this way, miHoYo gets to control the narrative around these characters without having to worry about leakers throwing a metaphorical wrench in the studio's plans.
New characters in Genshin Impact are always a great way to get fans excited. So whether it's from leakers or miHoYo, it's still nice to see what future characters are arriving in-game. And with miHoYo doing reveals itself, the information is already out there and won't have to rely on speculation. Overall, it should be a win-win situation for both fans and the company.