Zenless Zone Zero 1.4: Developers Reveal New Details in an Exclusive Interview

In our interview with Producer Zhenyu Li and Game Designers X and Y, we mainly focused on questions about development, challenges since the release, and upcoming content. Since Version 1.4 was officially unveiled today, we'll keep the highlights brief:

• New content for Hollow Zero: The focus is on greater variety in combat through changes to combat mechanics. There are also new Blitz Operations.
• TV Mode completely revamped: Gameplay in “TV Mode” has been fundamentally improved, and the main story chapters have been redesigned.
• Free character choice: With Version 1.4, you can now roam almost anywhere with your favorite characters. This was previously only possible with a few.
• New characters: Two new characters join the growing roster in New Eridu:
  • Asaba Harumasa - Electro Attack
  • Hoshimi Miyabi - Frost Anomaly

Reflecting on past development phases

“Since the release this summer, the team has been working intensively on new content for Zenless Zone Zero. What have been the biggest challenges you've faced during this phase?”

Every game is likely to encounter unique challenges at various stages of its development and operation. So far, the Zenless Zone Zero team has faced several significant challenges and addressed them as follows:

1. Zenless Zone Zero's character action modules are among the most complex on the market, demanding high standards in both design and production capacity. After the game's launch, time constraints became even more pressing for the development team. Fortunately, our team has since improved coordination and greatly enhanced efficiency. Meanwhile, in the game's long-term operation, we are working to establish a similar understanding with players by proactively addressing issues with released content and providing quick solutions.
   
2. Designing endgame content that properly reflects players' combat skills, mastery of mechanics, and character progression is a constant challenge for a long-term action game like Zenless Zone Zero. Our development team is committed to offering players more opportunities to showcase their combat techniques and character progress. For example, in Version 1.3, we introduced the tower-climbing mode, “Simulated Battle Trial”, which provides a platform for players to clearly see how their combat skills have improved.
   
3. Balancing the needs of different player types, such as those who prefer content-driven gameplay or action-focused experiences, is essential. The core goal of Zenless Zone Zero is to bring the fun of action games to a broader audience. To achieve this, in addition to the core combat experience, we've designed daily tasks, arcade games, and other gameplay modes to cater to the diverse preferences of players. Moving forward, we will continue to explore ways to better integrate content-driven and combat-focused gameplay, enhancing the interplay between the game's diverse modes.

Current state vs. initial vision

“How does the game in its current form compare to the original vision you had at the beginning of development? Are there aspects that evolved in unexpected ways?“

Our dev team's philosophy of “low threshold, high ceiling” is clear and unified, and this principle has remained unchanged.

Since Zenless Zone Zero went live in July, we've received lots of attention from both the media and players. Whether positive or negative, we view all feedback as valuable and an essential part of our growth. It's worth mentioning that, even though the game hasn't been out for long, Zenless Zone Zero has already built a loyal core player base, and our efforts to optimize and update the game have earned their recognition.

Zenless Zone Zero is a very young title in terms of time on the market. After nearly six months of operation, tweaking, and refinement of its core gameplay, the game has shown a more mature performance. We are confident that the gaming experience in Zenless Zone Zero will continue to improve, with plenty of potential and room for growth ahead.

Long-term goals and future plans

“What are the team’s long-term goals for Zenless Zone Zero, and how does Update 1.4 fit into this vision? Can you share any insights on content and plans that will be implemented after 1.4?“

From the very beginning, Zenless Zone Zero has aimed to bring the experience of action games to a broader audience while still maintaining a high skill ceiling for combat enthusiasts. Whether it's the lore, character mechanics, or gameplay variety, Zenless Zone Zero still holds immense potential for growth. What's been revealed so far is just the tip of the iceberg, and New Eridu might not even be the only place suitable for life. We hope to keep innovating around the game's core experiences, like combat and urban life, and provide quality content that matches the vast potential of Zenless Zone Zero.

In addition to the specific optimizations we mentioned in the previous “Dev Face-to-Face” video, such as reducing the proportion of TV mode, separating Decibels for individual characters, and diversifying the combat rating criteria, Version 1.4 introduces adjustments across various aspects of the game, including gameplay, upgrade experience, and combat mechanics. We hope that Version 1.4 reflects both the growth of Zenless Zone Zero and our team. Whether you're a player who's temporarily AFK from New Eridu or one of the core players who've been with us over the past six months, you'll always be able to find an experience that resonates with you.

We'll reveal more about future updates at the appropriate time.

Lessons from Genshin Impact’s success

“You’ve mentioned in an older interview that Genshin Impact’s success brings both pressure and motivation and that the goal is for ZZZ to set new standards. In which specific areas do you aim for Zenless Zone Zero to surpass Genshin Impact, and what steps have you taken to reach this goal?“

For the Zenless Zone Zero team, we've been working hard to create our unique product. By highlighting our strengths in areas like art, music, and combat systems and through detailed scenes, character designs, and combat experiences, we aim to give players a deeply engaging gaming experience where they can feel the thoughtfulness and distinctiveness behind Zenless Zone Zero.

The pressure and motivation from the success of Genshin Impact made us realize that we needed to focus on ourselves. The only way to gain the confidence to face up to the competition of the entire gaming market was by staying true to our vision and perfecting our own product.

Influence of Street Fighter and Combat Innovations

“You’ve noted that Street Fighter inspired some elements of ZZZ’s combat system. What fighting game mechanics are integrated into Zenless Zone Zero, and what makes it’s combat system stand out from other ARPGs?“

Street Fighter is popular among the dev team, and we draw inspiration from various aspects of it. For me, the key takeaway is the importance of precise judging of frames. In Street Fighter, frames dictate whether a move executes, the resulting hitstun, and whether a player gains frame advantage. For Zenless Zone Zero's combat mechanics, the equivalent would be frames for enemies with high Anti-Interrupt level or invulnerability frame intervals where a player can interrupt a move with a Dodge.

For example: Characters can interrupt the current move with a Dodge in most circumstances, but after performing high-level skills, Dodge is temporarily disabled until the final damage calculation is complete, and the invulnerability interval will last longer, which ensures in the fast-paced battle, players won't get too nervous or misjudge a move and won't get their skills interrupted or reduced in damage, offering a small window to relax. Most of the time, we'll follow this standard for design and configurations, and there are actually many similar standards like this.

Focus on speed and adaptability

“Compared to Genshin Impact, ZZZ emphasizes fast-paced, adaptable combat. What design principles led to this decision, and how did you ensure that the combat system appeals to both new and experienced players?“

Zenless Zone Zero aims to bring the experience of action games to a broader audience while still maintaining a high skill ceiling for combat enthusiasts. To achieve this, we've created fast-paced, exciting combat with plenty of unique mechanics, like Chain Attacks triggered when you Daze an enemy with a heavy attack, Perfect Assists activated by switching characters during enemy attacks, or Quick Assists that let you immediately switch to another character after being launched.

We also put a lot of effort into the visual and audio effects during combat, such as close-up shots for Chain Attacks and kill finishes, as well as interactive voice lines when switching characters. Together, these gameplay mechanics and visual elements combine to create responsive controls and an immersive audiovisual experience that form the core competitiveness of Zenless Zone Zero.

In most cases, players can enjoy these features without needing complex controls. However, in some higher-difficulty gameplay modes, players can hone their combat skills by leveraging their mastery of controls to unlock various achievements. Our goal is to ensure that Zenless Zone Zero's combat system meets the expectations most players have for an action game.

Expanded combat mechanics and new modes

“The upcoming 1.4 update will introduce new modes in Hollow Zero to expand combat mechanics. Could you elaborate on some of these new features and mechanics and how they will enrich the player experience?“

In Version 1.4, we're rolling out a major update called Shadows Lost—a pure combat gameplay where players can battle and build their way through various stages. Considering Hollow Zero's Agent power requirements, we've also added a function to boost Agent power. This means that when Agent levels are lower than the stage's level, this function will temporarily enhance their stats and build to the standard level, making it easier for Proxies to experience our content. Additionally, the staff in Hollow Zero will offer extra Gear to help players handle their combat missions more easily.

Adjustments to combat rating criteria and difficulty levels

“The 1.4 update will adjust combat rating criteria and add new difficulty levels to provide more flexibility. What can players expect from future versions in this regard?“

We've experimented with more diverse Battle Rank criteria in new gameplay modes. For instance, in Version 1.3, we introduced the Simulated Battle Trial to provide players with more diverse combat experiences. In action games, common methods for evaluating battle achievements include no-damage runs, speed runs, or completing levels using specific techniques.

Zenless Zone Zero's unique mechanics, such as Chain Attacks, Perfect Assists, and Quick Assists, enable even players less familiar with combat games to enjoy action-packed battles. We hope these new Battle Rank criteria will help players of all kinds feel accomplished during combat. For those seeking the ultimate combat experience, we aim to deepen their engagement, while those less experienced can still enjoy the fun, obtain the rewards, and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Moving forward, we will continue to explore bold new approaches in action-oriented gameplay, delivering the unique thrill and excitement that only an action game can offer.

Incorporating player feedback into development

“How has player feedback been incorporated into the game’s rework? Were there any surprising or particularly influential responses that led the team to make major changes?“

First off, our team shares a unified and clear vision for the game: to bring the action game experience to a wider audience while maintaining a high skill ceiling for combat enthusiasts. With this direction and commitment in mind, we thoroughly analyze player feedback and integrate it with Zenless Zone Zero's unique product logic, structure, and development goals at various stages, always addressing any issues that arise with a genuine and open-minded attitude.

As a young team, we're also growing and learning. We hope to balance the preferences of different types of players while staying true to the game's core highlights and maintaining steady update progress. We receive a lot of player feedback every day, but since Zenless Zone Zero is designed for long-term operation, we have more time to improve the game step by step, and we hope this journey of growth is one that everyone can join us on.

Long-term development based on community feedback

“How do you plan to incorporate player feedback into the future development of ZZZ, and what methods do you use to respond to player requests? Could regular feedback sessions or surveys play a role going forward?“

Since the launch of Zenless Zone Zero, we've been closely following feedback from the player community. We sincerely value our players' honest opinions, whether they're supportive or critical. At the same time, we remain committed to Zenless Zone Zero's development philosophy of “low threshold, high ceiling.” Based on the game's unique goals and features, we're turning player feedback into practical and effective optimizations in every update.

To better understand our players' needs and concerns, we've been gathering feedback through surveys, which serve as an important tool for identifying pain points. Moving forward, as we implement exciting changes, we'll continue to share updates directly with our community through Dev Face-to-Face, Special Program, and other formats.

Immersion and storytelling

“The development team frequently emphasizes the importance of immersion. How do you ensure that ZZZ maintains its immersive quality as gameplay mechanics evolve? Has community feedback influenced the storytelling structure or level design in the main storyline?“

Zenless Zone Zero aims to give players an immersive urban experience, and creating that “immersion” means convincing players that life in New Eridu could actually happen. To achieve this, we evaluate characters, scenes, stories, and other elements not only for their creativity but also for their reasonability. When designing characters, our main focus is making them “down-to-earth” so they resonate emotionally with players. On top of this, they need to fit naturally within this fantastical world and leave a lasting impression with their unique charisma.

Take another example: When designing New Eridu, we incorporated elements that represent different lifestyles and cultures, such as the arcade and hot pot restaurant, into the scenes, so that players from various regions can spot something familiar and nostalgic in the game. Sixth Street feels like a friendly neighborhood where everyone gets along, giving off a warm, down-to-earth vibe. Lumina Square, on the other hand, feels more like a bustling commercial hub, featuring overpasses, cinemas, ferries, and light rail trains—common sights in big cities that players from different regions can easily associate with parts of their own urban experience. All of these elements come together to create a sense of immersion in Zenless Zone Zero, highlighting New Eridu's unique urban atmosphere while making the game's story and characters feel more relatable and authentic.

During the game's operation, we've been collecting a lot of player feedback and suggestions to understand which gameplay and mechanics players enjoy the most. For example, in the Main Story optimization for Version 1.4, we incorporated some popular puzzle elements into the stage design in a new way, such as the box-pushing puzzles originally found in the TV mode. This is why feedback from the player community is always fundamentally crucial to us.

Expanding the story and side quests

“How does the team plan to expand the main story and side quests without disrupting the immersive experience? Are there characters or storylines that you developed more deeply based on community feedback?“

The lore of Zenless Zone Zero is built with the development team's unique narrative approach and perspective. We focus more on universal human emotions and bring them to life through relatable, everyday details. For example, the atmosphere of Sixth Street highlights the importance of neighborhood and the rhythms of daily life, while the desolation of the Outer Ring makes the conflict over fuel resources between the Sons of Calydon and the Vanquishers feel more grounded and believable.

We also take different approaches to the Main Story and side stories. The Main Story is designed to be emotionally intense, while the side content focuses on humanistic, slice-of-life moments that foster emotional connections. This aligns with our goal of deepening development across two key dimensions: Hollow exploration and urban life.

Ultimately, we hope to create a stronger emotional bond between players, New Eridu, and the Agents.

Urban fantasy setting and narrative structure

“In contrast to Genshin Impact’s open fantasy world, ZZZ focuses on a dense, sci-fi-inspired urban setting. What challenges and advantages does this environment present for storytelling and level design, and how does it impact player engagement?“

Zenless Zone Zero's urban setting naturally creates a sense of immersion and connection for players. Even though it's a fantastical world, building emotional resonance requires cultural and human-centered design. Imagination and creativity need to feel believable within an urban setting. For example, Sixth Street gives players the sense of a friendly neighborhood, while Lumina Square feels like a bustling metropolis. Even with the diverse characters and stories unfolding in these settings, players can naturally approach this world from the perspective of everyday life and interact with Agents with realistic backstories and relatable personalities.

Of course, an urban setting comes with certain limitations. For example, the protagonist's activities revolve around the concept of “home”, and the stories tend to take place in a limited number of locations. However, this aligns with our intention to move away from traditional “heroic” adventure narratives. At the same time, New Eridu cannot be fully defined by the real-world concept of “urban,” as it exists within a fictional world. Looking ahead, we'll continue to explore diverse structures and innovative formats to tell even more stories set in New Eridu.

Platform availability and technical future plans

“Are there plans to bring ZZZ to additional platforms to broaden its reach? If so, what challenges do you see in adapting the game for different platforms?“

During beta testing, we shared our vision: we want Zenless Zone Zero to bring the joy of action games to more players, no matter what platform they're on. When the time is right, we'll share more details about this.

Editorial Note: As announced by HoYoverse, ZZZ will be playable on PlayStation 5 starting with Version 1.4.

Future updates in the God Finger Arcade and new game modes

“Are more game modes like the Roguelite mode “Bizarre Brigade” introduced in version 1.2 in the works? Could you give us a glimpse of the exciting modes players can look forward to in the future?“

Our original intention behind designing the arcade “Godfinger” in Zenless Zone Zero was to give players a chance to relax. Beyond the intense Hollow exploration and battles, we wanted them to enjoy simple arcade games on the streets of New Eridu to unwind. This, in itself, is part of the immersion into urban life that we aim to create. At the same time, we hope to use this opportunity to introduce our younger players to the historical significance of arcades like this.

Soul Hounds III, Snake Duel, and Bizarre Brigade have all been popular among our players. In the future, we'll keep designing new mini-games to enrich the arcade's gameplay. Players will not only be able to enjoy single-player games but also connect online with friends to experience the joy of classic arcade gaming. Unfortunately, we don't have more details to share at this moment, but we promise to share updates with everyone as soon as the time is right.