It is a huge day in New Eridu as Zenless Zone Zero goes all-in on its first anniversary celebrations, together with the launch of Model 2.0, a long-hoped-for Xbox port, and a log-in event that presents gamers with their alternative of a free S-Rank Agent and free S-Rank W-Engine from the gacha’s normal banner, together with 1,600 Polychrome (forex that may be exchanged for 10 pulls on any Agent or W-Engine banner within the gacha), and an unique profile title and avatar so you’ll be able to exhibit that you just had been there on the celebration.
Should you’re considering “wow, I am unable to imagine it has been a 12 months already since Zenless Zone Zero got here out!”, you are fairly right. ZZZ’s precise first birthday is not for almost one other month – Model 1.0 launched on July 4, 2024 – however since most HoYo video games function on a daily six-week schedule, anniversary occasions are historically held throughout whichever replace interval accommodates the large day, making certain that gamers have round 40 days to log in and declare all of the celebratory bonuses.
Zenless Zone Zero is an city science-fantasy RPG following the exploits of siblings Belle and Smart, whose retro video retailer is a entrance for his or her side-hustle escorting skilled “Brokers” by way of forbidden and harmful exclusion zones – generally known as “Hollows” – which have sprung up round their house metropolis of New Eridu following a large-scale catastrophe. In a departure from HoYoverse custom, the protagonists are solely playable within the hub world, whereas the Agent characters are those featured within the gacha and whom the participant controls throughout fight.
Model 2.0 marks the official starting of a second season story for ZZZ, promising to broaden on the mysteries launched through the recreation’s first 12 months, in addition to introducing new characters and storylines. To that finish, at this time additionally sees the debut of Yixuan and Pan Yinhu, two brand-new Brokers at S-Rank and A-Rank rarity, respectively; and with them the sport’s eleventh playable faction, Yunkui Summit, who’re certain to play a serious function in upcoming chapters. Yixuan can be the sport’s first Rupture Agent, a brand-new injury kind that marks the primary new fight class added to the sport since launch.
Along with the official begin of Season 2, at this time additionally sees Zenless Zone Zero – which launched final 12 months for PC, PS5, and cellular units – make its long-anticipated debut on Xbox Collection consoles, in addition to the Xbox Cloud Gaming service.
Zenless Zone Zero 2.0 comes out at a time when HoYoverse remains to be on the centre of an ongoing labour dispute with lots of the US-based voice actors who carry out the English language dubs of ZZZ together with Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail.
A number of actors from all three video games have been changed over the previous few months, together with near half of the unique lead solid of Zenless; some have taken to social media to hyperlink the lack of their roles with their participation within the strike motion, which seeks to make sure online game voice actors obtain satisfactory safety according to different performers towards generative AI being skilled on their work. HoYoverse has thus far declined to touch upon the recasts past attributing them to “recording scheduling preparations”.