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Along with Shenhe’s Wish banner in the version 2.4 update launch, developer miHoYo announced another surprise for Genshin Impact players. Four in-game characters — Jean, Amber, Rosaria, and Mona — are getting new Alternate Outfits skins free of charge! How do these alternate skins look, and will they be released with Genshin Impact 2.5 update? See the four Alternate Outfits designs yourself and read all about them below.
Update: New alternate skins have now gone live in Genshin Impact 2.4 on January 27. To unlock the new outfits for Jean, Amber, Rosaria, and Mona:
- Click the Mail icon on the left side of the screen.
- Pick Claim on the Alternate Outfits Distribution mail.
- After claiming the alternate outfits, you’ll be able to freely change between the old and new ones.
- The in-game mail lasts only for 30 days, so don’t forget to claim them.
- However, the outfits will be unlocked automatically when players are obtaining these 4-star units after the Version 2.5 update.
How Do the New Alternate Skins Look?
Dear Travelers,
We will release the Alternate Outfits, which are partial redesigns of the default outfits of "Dandelion Knight" Jean, "Gliding Champion" Amber, "Thorny Benevolence" Rosaria, and "Astral Reflection" Mona.
View details here:https://t.co/sxW2Tm9m8l pic.twitter.com/ky6S7sb0sc
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact) January 4, 2022
Over on social media, miHoYo announced that the company is going to release alternate skins for four specific characters.
- “Dandelion Knight” Jean (Anemo).
- “Gliding Champion” Amber (Pyro).
- “Thorny Benevolence” Rosaria (Cryo).
- and “Astral Reflection” Mona (Hydro).
The so-called partial redesigns range from simple color changes, completely different leggings to more “modest” tops. Check the pictures below for a direct comparison between the new and old designs and see which ones you prefer. You don’t have to worry anyway because miHoYo has promised that the default outfits will be retained, and players on the global servers will be able to swap between both as they see fit.
There’s also a leak from the Chinese server of Yoimiya, Raiden, Ayaka, and Kokomi redesigns. Reportedly, Raiden Shogun will even get a complete Ultimate animation overhaul.
Why are They Releasing Alternate Skins in Genshin Impact?
The official English HoYoLab site and Genshin Impact social media account didn’t specify why the company is adding new outfits for these four characters. Just that both are available for global players, and the current designs for the Alternate Outfits are not indicative of the final product. However, things don’t seem to go as well on the other side of the planet.
Unfortunately for Chinese players, these outfit changes will be applied permanently “in response to state review requirements.” In other words, this redesign only happens because of interference from the Chinese government itself. Quoting the official notice for the Chinese server:
Dear Travelers: We are very sorry. In response to state review requirements, we will adjust some characters’ appearance after the 2.4 version update on January 5th and the subsequent 2.5 version update. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this immediate notice.
2.4 version adjustments:
1. Adjusts the in-game appearance of Jean, Amber, Rosaria, Mona.
2. Restricts camera angles when characters are gliding.2.5 version adjustments:
1. Adjusts the character art of Jean, Mona.
2. Adjusts the character art of Rosaria, Amber.Please pay attention to the follow-up announcement for the specific release time and other information. In addition, after the 2.4 version update is over, we will also issue the following compensation: Primogems x1200
We know that these compensations can’t really make up for the disappointment of all Travelers, and we can only accompany it with thousands of apologetic words. We once again extend our sincerest apologies to all Travelers.
This comes as no surprise since China has been cracking down hard on the country’s video game industry. From applying strict gaming time restrictions to minors to forcing game developers to censor racier content that “violates social ethics.” Recently, China’s Propaganda Department also held a panel that discussed a plan on the prohibition of content that promotes Japanese culture as well as effeminate male characters.
When Can You Use the Alternate Skins?
miHoYo itself hasn’t specified when the Jean, Amber, Rosaria, and Mona’s Alternate Outfits skins will be released, just reminding players to “please pay attention to the subsequent announcement for a specific release window.” But considering Genshin Impact 2.4 update had just been launched, we might start seeing them once version 2.5 is released on February 16, 2022.
Funny enough, just before the 2.4 update is released for the Chinese Genshin Impact server, there’s a glitch that ends up making characters invisible whenever they glide or move in certain directions. As seen in the picture above, one of the characters (which seems to be Noelle) becomes transparent with some kind of dithering effect. Most players assumed this happens because miHoYo accidentally rushed out additional features to prevent lecherous players from peeking under the characters’ skirts.
Related:
Genshin Impact: How to Get Xiao’s Materials
Although global players can enjoy both default and Alternate Outfits, a number of the fanbase are now worried that any future visual changes will be applied permanently to the non-Chinese server as well. Let’s hope that’s not the case. Genshin Impact is available on PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 platforms.
