A much-requested feature is heading to Genshin Impact, as HoYoVerse confirmed it will add Artifact custom loadouts that will let you more quickly equip different saved sets of Artifacts for characters as part of the update changes. There will be some limitations, but the Fast Equip section will allow each character different options. 

The announcement went over how this can be set up. In the Genshin Impact Fast Equip section for Artifacts, you need to choose Quick Configuration to start to make custom loadouts. There, you can search based on Main Affix, Set Type, and Minor Affix, as well as set an option like ones that aren’t equipped. That will then set up your selection as a Custom Configuration, with Plan 1 being the first option. Up to two of these plans can be saved as sets. This applies to each character. 

This is one of two Artifact changes in Genshin Impact, as Set Filter will be available in 5.7. It is designed to help with comparing different pieces of equipment. Both equipped and unequipped items can be searched and compared. 

There will be other gameplay changes in Genshin Impact 5.7. Retry Challenge will be an option in Spiral Abyss to ensure you get every star. It will also allow you to claim rewards from the Challenge Ended screen. The Talent Demo and Test Run sections will go over character abilities and roles. We will also be able to use Original Resin, Condensed Resin, or Transient Resin to claim rewards from Ley Lines and Domains.

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices. The 5.7 Special Program airs at 5am PT/8am ET/2pm CET on Twitch and YouTube on June 6, 2025, and update is expected to appear on every platform on June 18, 2025. 

The post Genshin Impact Artifact Custom Loadouts Arrive in 5.7 appeared first on Siliconera.

A new 5.7 Genshin Impact Special Program will appear on June 6, 2025, and the image HoYoVerse shared teased the appearance of Dainsleif and the Traveler’s sibling again. It will air at 5am PT/8am ET/2pm CET. This is expected to be one of the last 5.0 series updates before we head to Snezhnaya with the 6.0 updates.

The new Genshin Impact teaser image features the male version of the Traveler, Aether, alongside Dainsleif as his sibling Lumine appears tearing through the darkness. Since Aether is used as the default protagonist for this imagery, Lumine could replace that in a player’s story. As the storyline with all three of these characters appears during the interludes that come after the main storyline of a region concludes and leads into a new one, that’s likely what is happening here. For example, the “Caribert” act showed up as a break between Sumeru and Fontaine, and “Bedtime Story” came between Fontaine and Natlan. 

 We know the two characters who will appear in 5.7 and be a big part of this Special Program. Skirk and Dahlia will both appear. Skirk is the five-star unit who is tied to Childe, as she helped train him when he fell into the Abyss. Meanwhile, Dahlia is a new Mondstadt character.

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, and the Special Program for 5.7 airs at 5am PT/8am ET/2pm CET on June 6, 2025.

The post Dainsleif Shown in Genshin Impact Special Program 5.7 Teaser appeared first on Siliconera.

Myethos announced its next Genshin Impact figure will be a take on the five-star Electro character Keqing in a Resplendent Feast costume. It will cost ¥7,260 (~$51). Worldwide shipping is available from the official online store via Buyee. It is expected to ship sometime in February 2026. Pre-orders will remain open until July 31, 2025. 

This Genshin Impact Keqing figure in a Resplendent Feast costume is part of the Myethos Gift+ line. She is a static figure at 1/8 scale. This means she’s almost eight and a half inches tall (215mm). There’s a base included, and it’s made of translucent plastic. There are also some translucent elements to her bows in her hair and on her dress. 

Here’s a closer look at her from various angles:

Other HoYoVerse characters in the Myethos Gift+ line include Mobius: Daughter of Corals from Honkai Impact 3rd and March 7th: The Hunt from Honkai: Star Rail. 

While Keqing can’t wear this outfit in-game, there are two costumes for her in Genshin Impact. One is her default look that you get if you get the character. That’s called Piercing Thunderbolt. The other is called Opulent Splendor. That debuted in 2.4 in 2022. It’s a Lantern Rite look, and it costs 1,680 Genesis Crystals. 

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices, and the Keqing Resplendent Feast Myethos figure will debut in February 2026. 

The post Genshin Impact Keqing Figure Wears Resplendent Feast Costume appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse announced the first sign that the 8.3 update is on the way for Honkai Impact 3rd by announcing the beta test phase that introduces elements like the new Erdos Helia Planar Armament: Warped Spacetime Battlesuit. Applications are now open for all of us who play the game.

Gaining access to the test server for 8.3 works in the same way as previous ones offered for Honkai Impact 3rd. You need to be an active player, for one. This is because the only way to access the application is via the client. It’ll show up as a news item under an announcement labeled “Recruiting v8.3 Tester.” After clicking on that, you can fill out a form. HoYoVerse will then email anyone picked to participate in the beta.

While the official YouTube hasn’t shared any Honkai Impact 3rd footage of the Erdos Helia Battlesuit Planar Armament: Warped Spacetime, multiple videos appeared on the official Bilibili one. Some of these were story-based, while others looked more at gameplay. Given the past trends and release schedules, we’ll likely start seeing English of those closer to the global launch of the 8.3 update.

This will mark the second Battlesuit available for the character. Erdos Helia debuted in Part 2. When she did, her Valkyrie Boltstorm unit appeared. 

Honkai Impact 3rd is available for the PC and mobile devices, and the new story missions and Erdos Helia Planar Armament: Warped Spacetime Battlesuit will appear in 8.3 in the near future. 8.3 beta test recruitment is open until June 3, 2025.

The post 8.3 Honkai Impact 3rd Update and Test Features Erdos Helia Battlesuit appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse shared details about the Zenless Zone Zero Beard Papa cream puff crossover that will feature Anby and Burnice. The promotion will run in the US starting on June 8, 2025, and it will end on July 15, 2025. In addition to exclusive merchandise, there will also be Perfect Taste Bundle codes for in-game items.

Essentially, the Beard Papa promotion guarantees Zenless Zone Zero merchandise and codes if you get certain collaboration sets. The basic one is called ZZZ x Beard Papa’s Operation Yum Collab 2-Puff Set. This gives you the Anby Key Lime Crumble Puff with vanilla bean filling and key lime topping and the Burnice Royal Raspberry Puff with vanilla filling and raspberry glaze. You also get one random pin with either of the two characters or a Bangboo mascot in the restaurant’s costume and the Perfect Taste Bundle code. The 4-puff set comes with both of the limited edition cream puffs, two Original Vanilla ones, an acrylic standee of one of the two heroines and the code. Finally, a 6-puff set comes with two of the Anby puffs, two of the Burnice ones, two Original Vanilla ones, a standee, a random pin, and the code. 

Here’s how all of the Zenless Zone Zero cream puffs and merchandise will look. The Bangboo mascot is paired with the Original Vanilla option.

As for the Perfect Taste Bundle code, that gives anyone who claims it a Bangboo Beard Papa avatar, collectible, and namecard, a Stamina Item, three Senior Investigator Logs, and 30,000 Dennies.

This is the second recent Beard Papa crossover with a popular series. At the start of 2025, a Mashle event appeared. This involved both merchandise and specific cream puffs inspired by characters from the anime and manga.

Zenless Zone Zero is on the PS5, PC, and mobile devices now. The Xbox Series X version and 2.0 update comes on June 6, 2025. The Zenless Zone Zero Beard Papa Anby and Burnice 

The post Anby and Burnice Star in Zenless Zone Zero Beard Papa Crossover appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse worked with Bkub Okawa, the mangaka known for Pop Team Epic, to release a collection of virtual Honkai: Star Rail stickers. There are 16 total designs available. All of them are available to see and grab from HoYoLab.

These designs are based on the recent 3.0 patch series and updates to Honkai: Star Rail, which means the stickers only features characters from the Astral Express and Amphoreus. This means many of them are Chrysos Heirs, such as Agalea, Anaxa, Castorice, Cipher, Hyacine, Mydei, Phainon, and Tribbie. The Astral Express appearing are both the Caelus and Stelle versions of the Trailblazer, Dan Heng, Himeko, March 7th, Pom-Pom, and Welt. The Trailblazer Remembrance memosprite Mem also appears. The recent Astral Express addition Sunday isn’t present in the pack. 

Here’s how all of the stickers in this collection look:

As a reminder, some of the Honkai: Star Rail characters depicted in those Bkub Okawa stickers no longer feature the same voice actors. Due to the SAG-AFTRA video game strike, which started back in 2024, a number of people ended up replaced. Some of the most recent changes involved the performers for Trailblazer avatars Caelus and Stelle.  

Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the 3.4 update will launch in July 2025. 

The post Bkub Okawa Drew Honkai: Star Rail Stickers appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse announced what we can expect from the 2.0 update to Zenless Zone Zero and, in addition to the Xbox Series X version, new story, and new region, we each will get to choose a free S-Rank character and S-Rank W-Engine. There will also be activities that essentially give players enough currency and items for three ten-pulls on the gacha, as we can earn 1,600 Polychromes that could be put toward either the Star-Studded Cast Stable Channel banner or limited Signal Searches. Free costumes for Belle and Wise will also be available to earn as rewards in Zenless Zone Zero as well. Everything kicks off on June 6, 2025.

First, we actually get to pick which free S-Rank character and W-Engine we want in Zenless Zone Zero after 2.0 arrives. Here’s the list of all playable units we can choose from, as well as their factions, attributes, and specialties:

• Grace - Belobog Heavy Industries - Electric - Anomaly
• Koleda - Belobog Heavy Industries - Fire - Stun
• Lycaon - Victoria Housekeeping - Ice - Stun
• Nekomata - Cunning Hares - Physical - Attack
• Rina - Victoria Housekeeping - Electric -
• Soldier 11 - Obol Squad - Fire - Attack

As for the free S-Rank W-Engines, it looks like the image showed the ones associated with each of those six characters may be available to choose as your free one. Here’s the list of those possible options:

• The Brimstone - Attack
• Fusion Compiler - Anomaly
• Hellfire Gears - Stun
• The Restrained - Stun 
• Steel Cushion - Attack
• Weeping Cradle -

We also got to see and learn the names of the two Zenless Zone Zero costumes for Belle and Wise. Belle’s is called Delicate Sunlight. Wise’s is Soaring Crane. Both are based on attire seen by people in the new Waifei Peninsula, and they each have a white, yellow, and black color scheme.

Here is how the Zenless Zone Zero Belle and Wise costumes look, and there’s also a screen capture of the free S-Rank characters being given away.

New and returning characters appearing in 2.0 also came up, as the next Zenless Zone Zero Agents were confirmed. The three Yunkui Summit characters, as mentioned before, are Yixuan, Ju Fufu, and Pan Yinhu. Pan Yinhu is the only A-Rank one, as the others are S-Rank. Yixuan, returning character Astra Yao, and Pan Yinhu will be available at launch in 2.0, while Ju Fufu and returning Agent Caesar will appear in the second part of the update.  

The trailer for the new update can be watched below, and it focuses on the new story before showing off playable Agents.

Here’s the full 2.0 Zenless Zone Zero Special Program on YouTube.

Zenless Zone Zero is on the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the Xbox Series X version and 2.0 update comes on June 6, 2025. 

The post We Get a Free Zenless Zone Zero S-Rank Character in 2.0 appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse confirmed in the official patch notes for the 3.3 Honkai: Star Rail update that it changed the English Trailblazer voice actors for Caelus and Stelle. It did not reveal the new performers behind either character. Previously, Caleb Yen played the male option and Rachael Chau voiced the female one. 

The official patch notes for 3.3 noted the Trailblazer English voice actors change in the section discussing changes to Honkai: Star Rail audio. It noted that for now, the snippets that come up when using the Remembrance version of the character in battle or going through the Trailblaze Mission story quests in 3.3 will sound different. It then confirmed that future updates will change the lines for other paths and quests. HoYoVerse offered no explanation in the update and didn’t announce who the new actors are.

This change for the Caelus and Stelle English voice actors isn’t the first time Honkai: Star Rail performers ended up being changed or just disappearing. Starting in 2024, we began to see alterations. In the case of Dan Heng and Himeko, voiced lines for both stopped appearing. So while others would speak during story segments, there would be silence if someone used the English language option. All of this started happening after the SAG-AFTRA strike started in July 2024, with performers striking about concerns regarding AI being used to train or replicate people’s performances. 

We’ve also seen English voice actors changed with little or no notice like this for other HoYoVerse games as the strike continued. Most recently, it also occurred in Zenless Zone Zero. Lycaon ended up being replaced in 1.6. There’s a new English performer for Soldier 11 as well.

Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the 3.3 update is now live for the game worldwide.

The post Honkai: Star Rail Caelus, Stelle English Trailblazer Voice Actors Changed appeared first on Siliconera.

The 2.0 Zenless Zone Zero special program stream time and date is set, and we don’t need to wait long to learn about the latest update. It happens at 3:30am ET/6:30am ET/12:30pm CET, the usual time, on May 23, 2025. We can likely expect a lot more news than usual, due to this being a full 2.0 release and marking the launch of the Xbox Series X version of the game. Also, there will be a free Polychrome code again. We can watch on Twitch and YouTube.

As part of the 2.0 reveal, a whole new faction and region will appear in Zenless Zone Zero. The place is called the Waifei Peninsula, and the first characters in the update will all be from the Yunkui Summit Faction. When we’re visiting in Waifei Peninsula, we don’t run and stay in a Random Play video store branch. Instead, we work at Subian Temple. Yixuan is an S-rank unit who seems like she may act as head of the group. The other two are Ju Fufu and Pan Yinhu. There will also be a new system for our daily quests and rewards. 

Another big change will involve Belle and Wise in Zenless Zone Zero. In the 1.0 series of patches and story, as well as area, we only see them enter the Hollows via the Hollow Deep Dive System and their unique Bangboo. In 2.0, they’ll be able to enter the Hollows themselves. We'll have to wait for the showcase to see how that works.

Zenless Zone Zero is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and it will come to the Xbox Series X alongside the 2.0 update on it seems like June 6, 2025. This is due to Hugo’s banner ending on June 5, 2025, which tends to be the hint for when the next one and update starts. The Zenless Zone Zero Special Program stream for 2.0 airs at 3:30am ET/6:30am ET/12:30pm CET on May 23, 2025.

The post 2.0 Zenless Zone Zero Special Program Stream Airs This Week appeared first on Siliconera.

Hugo Vlad is the next S-rank Agent to debut in Zenless Zone Zero, and HoYoVerse decided to welcome the character to the game by once again releasing an anime style EP trailer and music video called “My Curse, My Fate.” It features performances by multiple singers while also showing key moments that shaped his life. This comes ahead of his banner’s debut on May 14, 2025. 

Things start with Hugo’s past, highlighting his family situation and the abuse he endured because he has one grey eye and one red one. From there, we see how he repeatedly experienced hardships, with appearances from his sister and Lycaon also coming up. We also get a sense of resolution at the end, showing his current mindset.

Here’s the full Zenless Zone Zero “My Curse, My Fate” EP trailer that highlights Hugo, though note this anime video does feature spoilers about his past if you haven’t gone through recent story quests.

This is the second recent trailer highlighting Hugo. A character demo for him called “Leading Man of the Apocalypse” appeared earlier in May 2025. It featured segments going into his life as a thief and leader for the Mockingbird faction.

Zenless Zone Zero is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the Xbox Series X version launches alongside the 2.0 update on June 7, 2025. Hugo’s banner runs until June 6, 2025. 

The post Zenless Zone Zero EP Trailers Return With One for Hugo appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse announced that one of the quality of life changes in Honkai: Star Rail will involve a change to notifications in 3.3. Basically, it will become easier for us to get rid of any persistent, red icons in-game alerting to new information or updates. We’ll also be able to hold 3,000 Relics at once, rather than 2,000, and a pre-installation of an update will take less space due to “optimizations.”

There are three ways in which HoYoVerse will adjust Honkai: Star Rail red notifications, and they have to do with the in-game phone, in-game notices, and ones that pop up on every device when you play. In the case of the red icon that shows up in the phone menu, those will no longer appear. Instead, to see them you’ll actually need to go into the section. This should make it less cluttered. With the in-game notices, just heading into a section or switching tabs in it will be enough to clear it. The specific example in the announcement used the News section and its different notices as an example. Finally, when you get things like avatars or wallpapers, checking that notification on one platform means you won’t be alerted to it on any others when you there.

As for the pre-installation option for Honkai: Star Rail, that takes effect in 3.3. So it should take less storage space to the files for the update ahead of going through with it. The Settings section will also feature a new option for pre-installs. That will be grouped in Language Settings.

Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the 3.3 update debuts on May 21, 2025. 

The post 3.3 Honkai: Star Rail Update Makes It Easier to Clear Notifications appeared first on Siliconera.

The next two Genshin Impact characters include one who we’ve known about for while due to Childe, which is his mentor Skirk, and an entirely new unit named Dahlia. Both will appear during the 5.7 update, though it’s unknown who will appear first. While we generally suspect Skirk is a five-star, it’s unknown if Dahlia is a four-star or five-star person.

We first learned about Skirk by following the story of Fatui Harbiner Tartaglia. After he fell into the Abyss when he was a kid, she found him and became his mentor. She will be a Cryo unit in-game, and her title is Void Star. Her Constellation is called Crystallina. Her one description on social media suggests that she could was picked for her role when Khaenri'ah fell.

As for Dahlia, we know less about him due to the fact this is his first real reveal. We do know he’s the first new Genshin Impact character from Mondstadt in a while. He’s also a member of the church, like Barbara and Rosaria. He’s a deacon. He’s considered a Herald of Barbatos known as the Ode and Oblation, and he is a Hydro character. His Constellation is called Cantus Choralis, and Jean mentioned he’ll help people deal with problems via drinking contests.

Here’s official art showing both characters:

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and Skirk and Dahlia are expected to debut in 5.7 in June 2025.

The post Skirk and Dahlia Appear in Genshin Impact 5.7 appeared first on Siliconera.

HoYoVerse confirmed the 3.3 Honkai: Star Rail release date will be May 21, 2025, and it also shared the characters and events coming alongside Cipher and Hyacine. This patch will mark the first rerun banners for both Aglaea and The Herta, and the Legend of the Galactic Baseballer event will return.

Here’s a “The Fall at Dawn’s Rise” trailer that goes through the Honkai: Star Rail 3.3 events and characters. The new characters come up first, with Hyacine highlighted initially. Then, we get a teaser for the Trailblaze Mission. That’s followed by a look at Cipher. Hyacine and The Herta will appear in the first phase of banners, and Cipher and Aglaea will be in the second part. At the 1:57 mark, the events come up. In addition to Legend of the Galactic Baseballer, the Trace n Drift event begins, Divergent Universe: Protean Hero appears, and two new Cavern of Corrosion accessory sets appear.

You can see the full 3.3 Honkai: Star Rail Special Program below, with details about events and its release date mentioned throughout.

As a reminder, we also know what to expect from 3.4. Phainon will be a new five-star, and the Fate/Stay Night event that also includes the debut of Archer and Saber as playable units will come up.

Honkai: Star Rail is on the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and the release date for 3.3 is May 21, 2025. 

The post 3.3 Honkai: Star Rail Release Date Brings Cipher and Hyacine With It appeared first on Siliconera.

On the official Facebook page for Genshin Impact, HoYoVerse announced it will require age verification for everyone in the US who plays the game by May 20, 2025. It noted this is part of a measure to comply with laws in the country. This will be mandatory, and s could be suspended if people don’t comply by July 18, 2025. There’s also the prospect of potential deletion.

HoYoVerse actually mentioned two dates with regards to cut-offs for US players and the Genshin Impact age verification process. In the first part, it noted that someone needs to provide their date of birth by July 18, 2025. The consequences of meeting that date involve an being suspended, friends on the friend list being deleted, all chat records being wiped, and notifications on mobile devices being disabled. The announcement didn’t note if complying after that date could result in the suspension being lifted.

Toward the end of the announcement, it noted a HoYoVerse would be deleted starting on July 20, 2026 if these conditions aren’t met. The announcement said this would be irreversible. The official and conditions for the game noted that people who play must be at the minimum age of consent for Personal Data Collection and mentions being an adult.

Here's a screenshot of the notice on Facebook:

Notably, this notification doesn’t appear on Facebook pages for other HoYoVerse games like Honkai Impact 3rd, Honkai: Star Rail, Tears of Themis, and Zenless Zone Zero. 

Genshin Impact is available for the PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and mobile devices, and US age verification will start on May 20, 2025 and be required by July 18, 2025. The latest update is now live and added Ifa and Escoffier as playable characters.

The post HoYoVerse Genshin Impact US Age Verification Starts in May 2025 appeared first on Siliconera.

Phainon appeared as an ally for the Trailblazer and Dan Heng basically since the Honkai: Star Rail Amphoreus storyline started, and now he’ll become a playable character in version 3.4. HoYoVerse teased his debut on social media with insights into what kind of unit he’ll be. He’ll show up on July 2, 2025.

As expected from someone who is a leader, Phainon will be a five-star Chrysos Heir. He’ll follow the path of Destruction, much like Mydei. This means he can target single opponents, but will likely have a Skill or Ultimate that hits a group of enemies. He’ll also deal Physical damage. 

This means he’ll be the third Physical Destruction type unit in the game. The first form of the Trailblazer also follows that path and deals that type of damage. Clara, who’s been in the game since launch, is also on that path. Yunli, who debuted in 2.4, is that type as well.

Phainon isn’t the only Honkai: Star Rail playable character for 3.4. HoYoVerse already announced two others. Both are part of the Fate/Stay Night crossover event. Saber and Archer, from that series, will as five-star playable units. We’ll also get Archer, the first male Quantum character, as a free one when he debuts. 

Honkai: Star Rail is available for the PS5, PC, and mobile devices, and Phainon will launch as a playable character in 3.4 when that launches on July 2, 2025. The next update on 3.3 arrives this week, as the Special Program for it airs on May 9, 2025.

The post Phainon Becomes Playable in Honkai: Star Rail 3.4 appeared first on Siliconera.