In the vibrant world of Teyvat, where elemental powers shape the landscape and adventure awaits around every corner, a significant expansion was on the horizon. As of 2026, the journey for millions of Travelers took a pivotal turn when miHoYo, the visionary developer behind the phenomenon, announced Genshin Impact's arrival on the Epic Games Store. This integration, which coincided with the Version 1.6 update, Midsummer Island Adventure, was more than just a new storefront—it was a major step in unifying the game's sprawling, multi-platform community. Players who had previously embarked on their quests through mobile devices, PlayStation consoles, or the official launcher now had a new gateway, complete with a special celebratory code to mark the occasion. The central question on everyone's mind, however, was not just about access, but about connection: could this new version truly bridge the divides between platforms?
Seamless Co-op: Uniting All Platforms
The heart of Genshin Impact's enduring appeal has always been its blend of solitary exploration and shared adventure. The online co-op mode, allowing up to four players to band together to conquer domains, defeat formidable world bosses, or simply roam the breathtaking landscapes, is a cornerstone of the experience. miHoYo's announcement brought unequivocally good news: the Epic Games Store version would be fully integrated into this cross-play ecosystem. A player launching the game from Epic's platform could seamlessly join forces with friends regardless of their device of choice. This meant a party could consist of:
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A PC player using the Epic Games Store client
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A veteran on PlayStation 5
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A mobile user playing on a tablet during a commute
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Another PC player using the original miHoYo launcher
This cross-platform functionality eliminated one of the biggest potential barriers, ensuring that the social fabric of Teyvat remained intact. The press release from miHoYo explicitly confirmed that Epic Games Store players could engage in online co-op with everyone else—on PS4, PS5, mobile, and other PC platforms. This policy of inclusivity has been a hallmark of the game's live-service strategy, fostering a massive, interconnected player base.
The Cross-Save Landscape: Freedom with One Notable Exception
While playing together was universally enabled, the ability to carry one's personal progress—characters, items, and story advancement—across different devices, known as cross-save, presented a more nuanced picture. The introduction of the Epic Games Store version shone a spotlight on the existing account ecosystem.
The Epic Games Store release was a boon for account portability. miHoYo confirmed it supported full cross-save functionality. This was a game-changer for flexibility. A player could:
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Start their daily commissions on a phone during a lunch break.
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Continue farming artifacts on a PC via the miHoYo launcher after work.
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Later that evening, log in through the Epic Games Store client to participate in a co-op event, all on the same account with synchronized progress.
The same seamless transition worked in reverse; a new player starting on EGS could later pick up their adventure on a mobile device without losing any progress. This created a truly unified experience for the PC and mobile segments of the player base.
However, this unity hit a deliberate wall at the border of the PlayStation network. As of 2026, the PS4 and PS5 versions of Genshin Impact remained the sole platforms without cross-save support. An account created and bound to a player's PSN ID was permanently anchored to the PlayStation ecosystem. The characters and resources painstakingly earned on a PlayStation console could not be accessed on a PC, mobile device, or the Epic Games Store version, and vice-versa. This created two parallel, non-intersecting account lineages within the same game world. It's important to reiterate that cross-play was unaffected; a PS5 player could still invite a PC player from Epic Games Store to their world. They simply could not share the same account data.
The Lingering Question: Nintendo Switch and Future Platforms
The announcement also reignited discussions about the long-anticipated Nintendo Switch version. Years after its initial announcement, its specific feature set remained a topic of speculation within the community. miHoYo had not issued any definitive statements regarding cross-save for the Switch port. However, industry observers and veteran players speculated with cautious optimism. Given Nintendo's historically more flexible stance on cross-platform features compared to Sony's previous policies, many believed it was very likely the Switch version would support cross-save, potentially aligning with the PC and mobile ecosystem rather than creating another isolated platform. This would allow Travelers to take their open-world adventure truly on the go in a way the PlayStation version did not permit.
The Version 1.6 Backdrop: More Than Just a Store Launch
The Epic Games Store debut was packaged with the content-rich Midsummer Island Adventure update, which gave players plenty of reasons to group up across platforms. The update introduced:
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The First Character Skins: Elegant new outfits for the fan-favorite characters Jean and Barbara, adding a new layer of customization.
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Maritime Exploration: A boat piloting event that allowed players to navigate new aquatic areas, a fresh mechanic that was perfect for co-op discovery.
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New Temporary Realm: A set of mysterious, summery islands to explore, filled with puzzles, treasures, and secrets.
These additions provided the perfect playground for the newly reinforced cross-platform community to test their united strength.
The Evolving Tapestry of Teyvat
Looking back from 2026, the Epic Games Store integration stands as a landmark moment in Genshin Impact's history. It underscored miHoYo's commitment to a connected, social experience while also highlighting the complex realities of platform holder policies. The game succeeded in building a world where players on almost any device could share adventures in real-time, a feat that has become a benchmark for live-service games. The cross-save limitation on PlayStation consoles remained a point of feedback from the community, a reminder of the behind-the-scenes negotiations that shape player experiences. As the game continues to expand with new regions like Natlan and Snezhnaya on the horizon, the foundation of robust cross-play ensures that no Traveler has to embark on their journey alone, regardless of their chosen platform. The dream of a fully unified account across all devices, including the awaited Switch version, continues to be a hopeful beacon for the community as Teyvat's story unfolds.