With the discharge of Model 1.4 of Zenless Zone Zero, the sport has discovered itself in a type of comfortable re-launch. Huge adjustments, overhauled options, large changes to fight and story missions. It is a new period for the sport, one which clearly hopes to each enhance the expertise for loyal followers and win again those that bounced off it.
As such, I wished to verify in to search out out extra concerning the staff’s method to creating huge adjustments, and the place they really feel the sport stands within the HoYoverse catalogue and wider gaming panorama. My questions had been answered by ZZZ Producer Zhenyu Li, and a pair of mysterious workers members known as Sport Designer-X and Sport Designer-Y, over electronic mail.
One change that maybe encapsulates the event fashion for Zenless Zone Zero is its TV mode missions. Touchdown within the 1.0 model of the sport to combined reception, to being reigned again considerably in previous main updates. Now, HoYoverse has retroactively added on choice to keep away from them altogether in essential story missions, changing them with 3D Eous exploration missions. This, it is secure to say, is a money and time intensive resolution to make primarily based on fan suggestions.
Li and co: “For the reason that launch of Zenless Zone Zero, we have been actively listening to suggestions from the participant group. We sincerely respect our gamers’ trustworthy opinions, whether or not supportive or vital. On the identical time, we’re devoted to addressing participant issues in every recreation replace whereas staying true to the core imaginative and prescient and distinctive options of Zenless Zone Zero. Thus far, many Zenless Zone Zero gamers have observed our efforts, even jokingly calling us a dev staff “who truly listens”. To us, this looks like a recognition of the enhancements we have made to the sport.
“TV mode has at all times been a sizzling matter amongst gamers. After we launched the “Dev Face- to-Face” video in September, many gamers shared their issues, saying that TV mode is a singular narrative instrument they didn’t wish to see eliminated solely. In actual fact, we by no means deliberate to take away TV mode utterly however to cut back its general proportion within the content material to make sure smoother gameplay and fight experiences.”
“With the launch of Model 1.4, we’ll proceed to observe participant suggestions about these adjustments. Since Zenless Zone Zero is designed for long-term operation, for us, listening to gamers and repeatedly optimizing and innovating the sport is a long-term dedication that will evolve dynamically over time.”
When requested whether or not or not the devs had been anxious this shift would lead to much less alternatives to experiment with the TV mode (one thing they’re clearly eager to do as seen within the Golden Week occasion and the large RPG hidden throughout the recreation’s facet missions), the group assured me of the alternative.
Li and co: “To be trustworthy, we’re not anxious. We take the detrimental suggestions concerning the TV mode critically, however we gained’t ignore that there are nonetheless loads of gamers who prefer it. The actual problem may simply be the necessity for extra selection within the content material. As we shift our focus away from the amount of TV mode, we are able to focus extra on making it extra pleasurable and playable, drawing on insights from our earlier profitable improvements to create extra polished and interesting TV mode gameplay.”
There’s one other main matter I wished to the touch on. As Hoyoverse expands its repertoire, its recreation are taking over a good portion of the calendar. As such, being a HoYoverse fan is changing into extra of a full-time gig than a facet passion. Particularly should you’re into spending cash on these video games. Was the staff involved in any respect about how crowded every thing is?
Li and co: “I imagine that participant retention is not only essential for Zenless Zone Zero, however for any recreation with long-term operations. Nowadays, each new recreation competes not solely with different video games but additionally with quite a lot of leisure platforms that demand person’s time, equivalent to social media, video streaming platforms, and different non-gaming merchandise. Due to this fact, once we take into consideration enhancing Zenless Zone Zero’s competitiveness, we take into account it throughout the broader context of all the market.”
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“Within the face of more and more fierce competitors, our precedence stays creating a really distinctive product. Whether or not it’s our artwork, music, or fight system, we intention to make sure that gamers really feel the thoughtfulness and distinctiveness behind Zenless Zone Zero each time they play. On the identical time, we’re continually listening to participant suggestions — working in isolation is solely not an possibility. As a brand new recreation launched this 12 months, Zenless Zone Zero’s ongoing development relies upon closely on each participant assist and constructive criticism. We would like gamers to know that their voices usually are not solely heard but additionally translated into tangible enhancements within the recreation.”
“This is the reason Zenless Zone Zero has already undergone important adjustments from Model 1.0 to the present Model 1.4. Sooner or later, our staff will sustain with suggestions from our gamers whereas staying true to Zenless Zone Zero’s core aspirations.”
Okay, so if making an attempt to create a singular product is vital, how precisely does the sport stand aside within the staff’s thoughts? Additionally, the place do they see the sport among the many wider HoYoverse pantheon – an underdog? An formidable upcomer?
Li and co: “HoYoverse operates every of its video games independently, so it’s troublesome to pinpoint Zenless Zone Zero’s actual “standing” amongst them. I imagine that each recreation, whether or not extensively liked or the topic of heated debate on-line, ought to be evaluated throughout the broader context of the sport market. After all, Zenless Zone Zero is the youngest of HoYoverse’s video games, and our staff can also be comparatively younger — which is why I imagine we nonetheless have an extended option to go.”
So there you’ve it, a peak contained in the minds of the event staff as the sport finds itself within the midst of its personal re-launch. Whether or not this mindset will result in a greater, extra common recreation is a query to revist within the coming months, however it’s definitely an method that’ll make vocal followers really feel heard. Maybe that, at the present time the place group constructing is every thing, is sufficient.