Even though Genshin Impact has been around for a while, the world map continues to grow. The game now spans four regions with at least seven more planned. Sumeru recently opened to players, and fans are already curious about what comes next. Leaks around update 4.0 suggest Fontaine, the water world with steampunk touches, may come after. This guide compiles what is known so far from leaks and rumors.
When will it be available
There is no exact release date yet, but Fontaine could debut in update 4.0. Sumeru research is unlikely to end with version 3.0 and is likely to receive further extensions. Inazuma arrived in July 2021 and Sumeru in August 2022, so Fontaine might open in the summer of 2023, possibly July or August. Analysts often estimate timelines by looking at the pacing of previous chapters. Expansion 1.6 released 294 days after 1.0, 2.8 came 399 days after 2.0. If the current phase ends near 3.7, Fontaine would arrive in roughly 315 days from that point.
What is Fontaine
Fontaine has been hinted at in NPC dialogue as a region named after the French word for fountain. The development team drew inspiration from 20th century France with some creative twists. The locals wear elegant outfits, and many men favor distinctive top hats. Players have encountered several Fontaine characters in additional quests.
Fontaine is governed by the Hydro Archon, known for a strong sense of justice. The governance reveals a complex legal system mentioned by various NPCs. A standout feature is the presence of advanced technology, suggesting a steampunk aesthetic with metal vehicles, steam engines, and rumors of a train.
Fontaine is poised to become a cultural hub, with art and music playing a large role. Rock and roll influences and camera technology reportedly originate there, hinting at a network of reporters like the Steam Bird newspaper, in which a character writes a column. This points to a broad world of correspondents connected to Fontaine.
So far, Petrikor has been the only city clearly referenced, noted by a character in a quest. A view of a massive waterfall is expected to unfold from this city.
Where will Fontaine be located?
On the world map, the hydro region most likely sits in the northern area between Sumeru and Li Yue. A southern region remains closed off, so certainty about the exact placement is not possible.
What are the characters in Fontaine
Several Fontaine characters have already shown up in the story and quests:
- Caspar appears near Wanshu Tavern in Li Yue and notes that Fontaine is unlike his homeland.
- Francis is a traveling merchant who visits Li Yue, seen at the Liuli Pavilion by day and the Xinyue kiosk at night.
- Gaiman is a writer waiting south of the Statue of the Seven in the Sea of Clouds.
- The Great Thief is a famed outlaw hired by various groups in Li Yue and Mondstadt to commit robberies but was slain by the Herald of the Abyss.
- Lochfolk of Endor.
- Spring Fairy lives in Springvale.
- Rhodea Lochfolk is near Qingjie village in Li Yue.
- Xavier is an inventor and a member of the Dream Club, creator of the camera, central to the Tatara world adventures quest, and found in Inazuma.
- Kurisu, also known as Christopher, can be found in Ritou in Inazuma.
- Patrice is a researcher encountered during the Vibrocrystalline Research event.
- Garcia, another Dream Club member, works on a calculator and appears in the Garcia Pean quest.
- Bertrand is a toy designer and traveler in Inazuma, featured in the Apparatus Core event.
- Felix Yog is a Dream Club member who appeared in a temporary event.
Based on the trailer and leaks, playable Fontaine characters are likely to include sisters Lynette and Lini, who appear as performers, with one likely to be a five-star character and the rest four-star.
Interesting details
- Every Oceanid encountered in Genshin Impact is believed to originate from Fontaine, leaving their homeland due to disputes with the Hydro Archon.
- A trailer for Archon quests hints at a water area mission called Masquerade of the Guilty, featuring the motto Iustitia omnia vincit, a modified line inspired by the phrase labor omnia vincit.
- Fontaine is often linked to Bioshock in theories and references.
- Frank Fontaine is cited as the main antagonist in the first Bioshock game, a connection used in fan theories.
- The term Fountain or fountainhead may reference Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, which inspired certain Bioshock concepts.
- The Steam Bird newspaper’s name is sometimes tied to Bioshock Infinite references, including the character Elizabeth’s iron bird imagery.
- The Lin and Lynette names may nod to Chen Lin from Bioshock Infinite, suggesting a cross-media homage.
- There are rumors of underwater settings as Fontaine is developed, aligning with the water-centric theme.
All these notes stem from the latest previews and leaks, with official details still pending as of now.