Updated on December 22, 11:14 a.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy.

Update on May 5, 2022, 8 p.m. (GMT+8): The character banner countdown timer later displayed “before version 2.6 ends.”

Have you ever wished for a Genshin Impact character banner to go on forever, just so you could gather more Primogems for your favorite husbandos and waifus? HoYoverse actually did grant this wish during the version 2.6 banner.

Genshin Funko Pops featuring the traveler twins Aether and Lumine and their companion Paimon
Credit: Funko, HoYoverse
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Kamisato Ayaka’s character event wish, “The Heron’s Court,” was originally scheduled to run for 22 days from April 19, 2022 until May 10, 2022, with 4-stars Rosaria, Razor, and Sayu. However, a surprising date in the in-game client indicated otherwise.

Kamisato Ayaka banner once got extended for “240 days” amidst Genshin Impact version 2.7 delays

Ayaka banner extended to 240 days
Screenshot by Kristine Tuting/ONE Esports

Kamisato Ayaka’s character banner had received an extension for Phase III of version 2.6. The countdown on the banner updated to a timer that spans 240 days, or roughly 8 months starting from May 5.

Genshin Impact: Official Art Book Vol. 1: Explore the realms of Genshin Impact in this official collection of art. Packed with character designs, ... illustrations. (Genshin Impact, 1)
Credit: Dey Street Books
VIEW PRICE: Genshin Impact: Official Art Book Vol. 1

HoYoverse later posted a clarification on their social media accounts, stating that the countdown only served as a placeholder.

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“The countdown that appears on the interface of event wishes and the Test Run event is not the definitive end date,” the developers explained. “Please refer to future announcements for the end date.”

Kamisato Ayaka banner extended indefinitely
Credit: HoYoverse

This abrupt extension and the postponement of the version 2.7 update were due to “project progress”, announced HoYoverse.

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It is highly likely that the company and its staff were affected by strict lockdowns at that time under China’s zero-Covid policy which were implemented in multiple cities, including Shanghai, where the HoYoverse office is based.

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Under the zero-Covid policy, travel around China was restricted, public transportation was suspended, and all non-essential businesses were temporarily closed.

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