The Genshin Impact community has received disappointing news about the game’s upcoming updates, with reliable leaks suggesting Version 5.7 will bring no new Natlan map expansions. This revelation comes as the latest blow to players who’ve already endured significant content gaps in the Pyro nation’s rollout, raising questions about HoYoverse’s development priorities for the region.
A Rocky Road for Natlan’s Expansion
When Natlan first launched in Version 5.0, players were excited to explore three distinct tribal regions and experiment with the new Saurian abilities. The initial zones – Nanatzcayan, Huitztlan, and Meztli – showed promise, with Version 5.2’s Ochkanatlan expansion being particularly well-received. However, the momentum quickly stalled as subsequent updates failed to deliver substantial new exploration content.
The newly leaked information confirms players’ fears – Mare Jivari, the anticipated next zone, won’t arrive until Version 5.8 at the earliest. This means Natlan will have gone through three consecutive versions (5.5 through 5.7) without any map expansions, creating one of the longest content droughts in recent Genshin Impact history.
Summer Event Uncertainty Adds to Concerns
Traditionally, Genshin Impact has treated players to special summer events featuring temporary zones like the Golden Apple Archipelago or Veluriyam Mirage. However, this year’s plans remain unclear. With Mare Jivari delayed and development resources seemingly shifting focus, there’s growing speculation that HoYoverse might skip the summer event entirely or significantly scale it back.
This potential departure from tradition has left many in the community worried. Summer events have historically been highlights of the game’s annual content calendar, offering unique mechanics, substantial rewards, and memorable story moments. Their absence would leave a noticeable gap in this year’s update schedule.
Shifting Focus to Future Content
As Natlan’s expansion slows, HoYoverse appears to be redirecting attention elsewhere. Version 5.6 will take players back to Mondstadt, likely setting up important story elements for future arcs. Version 5.7 is expected to focus on characters like Skirk and Dainsleif, further developing the game’s overarching narrative rather than Natlan’s worldbuilding.
This strategic pivot suggests the developers may be laying groundwork for the eventual transition to Snezhnaya and the confrontation with the Tsaritsa. Recent behind-the-scenes teases of Nod-Krai, the Cryo nation, have already started generating buzz among lore-focused players.
Community Reactions: Quality vs. Quantity Debate
Player responses to these developments have been mixed. While most agree that what Natlan content exists is high quality – with Ochkanatlan frequently praised as one of the game’s best zones – many feel the region has suffered from insufficient quantity and slow updates.
Some defenders argue that the development team deserves credit for maintaining quality standards rather than rushing out half-baked content. Critics, however, point out that previous regions like Sumeru and Fontaine received more consistent updates and larger initial map offerings.
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The situation has sparked broader discussions about Genshin Impact’s update philosophy and whether the game’s expanding scope is stretching development resources too thin. With multiple ongoing projects including Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero, some players wonder if HoYoverse’s attention has become divided.
What’s your take on Natlan’s update schedule? Are you satisfied with the pacing, or do you think HoYoverse needs to accelerate content releases? Share your perspective below!