Zenless Zone Zero
News, coverage and analysis tracking Zenless Zone Zero across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Multiple Games With Loot Boxes Become PEGI 16
PEGI has updated its age rating system, classifying games with paid random rewards, commonly known as loot boxes, as PEGI 16. This change affects popular titles like Pokemon GO, EA Sports FC, and Mario Kart Tour, which will now carry a 'Paid Random Items' warning label. The new policy, which began applying to newly submitted games in June 2026, is now retroactively impacting existing digital-only games across Europe and the UK.
European age-ratings body PEGI begins raising age-limit of loot box games, like EA Sports FC, to 16
The European video game age rating agency PEGI has begun increasing the age ratings of digital games featuring loot boxes to 16. This stricter approach, which started in June for newly submitted games, is now being applied to existing digital-only titles rated PEGI 3, 7, or 12. Games like EA Sports FC and Zenless Zone Zero are among those affected, signaling a shift in how loot box mechanics are perceived and rated.
Free-to-play playtime is broadly flat as gacha RPGs drive PC growth, says Newzoo
A Newzoo report indicates that free-to-play (F2P) playtime remains stable, despite a slight decrease in its market share, driven by growth in gacha RPGs on PC. While overall F2P playtime is flat, PC F2P playtime has grown, with gacha games showing significant increases in engagement. RPG remains the only F2P genre gaining share on both PC and console.
Nodusfall looks like Elden Ring but was "designed to be accessible," says HoYoverse: "We don't want…
HoYoverse's upcoming action game Nodusfall aims for an Elden Ring-like aesthetic but is designed to be accessible to players new to the genre. The studio emphasizes that difficulty will not be a barrier, while still offering depth for challenge-seekers. The game will feature mythology themes and multiplayer co-op, with a focus on taking down large beasts.
Nodusfall isn't a gacha game, Mihoyo confirms, because unlike Genshin Impact you'll unlock characters…
miHoYo has confirmed that its upcoming game Nodusfall will not feature gacha mechanics for unlocking characters, differing from Genshin Impact and Zenless Zone Zero. The free-to-play title will allow players to unlock characters through continued gameplay, with monetization focused on cosmetics. Nodusfall is described as the HoYoverse's answer to Monster Hunter, emphasizing solo and group encounters.
HoYoverse's Nodusfall is free to play but isn't a typical gacha game: 'Characters are not obtained…
HoYoverse's upcoming game Nodusfall will be free-to-play and will not feature random draws for characters, differing from typical gacha models. Instead, characters will be unlocked through gameplay, with cosmetic items being the primary focus for monetization. This approach marks a significant departure for the studio, known for games like Genshin Impact.
Mihoyo CEO says Monster Hunter-like Nodusfall is very "un-Mihoyo," and in a perfect world that means less…
HoYoverse CEO Liu Wei acknowledges that Nodusfall, their upcoming realistic fantasy online game, is a departure from the company's typical style, drawing comparisons to Monster Hunter with its focus on large-scale boss battles and co-op. The article discusses concerns about the potential implementation of gacha mechanics in Nodusfall, given HoYoverse's history with games like Genshin Impact, and expresses hope that the game will adopt a less aggressive monetization strategy.
Gamescom 2026: Hoyoverse sets a winter release for Petit Planet, unveils co-op action RPG Nodusfall
HoYoverse announced a winter release window for its life RPG Petit Planet and revealed a new co-op action RPG titled Nodusfall during Gamescom 2026. Petit Planet will feature social activities and critter friends, while Nodusfall focuses on players banding together as Weavers to defeat massive legendary creatures in co-op combat. Petit Planet is currently accepting sign-ups for a final beta test on September 20th.
Nodusfall looks more like Monster Hunter and Elden Ring than the usual games from creator and Genshin Impact studio…
HoYoverse revealed Nodusfall, a new co-op action game showcased at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. The game features teams of four players battling divine beasts and appears to draw inspiration from titles like Monster Hunter and Elden Ring, with a more realistic art style than the studio's previous games such as Genshin Impact.
Love And Deepspace’s Biggest Controversy Is Now Hitting Its Wallet
Love and Deepspace experienced a significant revenue drop of 73% in July, falling to $10.3 million, largely due to the controversy and subsequent cancellation of the character Valko. This financial downturn contrasts with the continued success of other gacha games like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. The controversy also led to Papergames withdrawing from BilliBilli World 2026 and drew scrutiny from the Chinese government regarding content deemed problematic.
I Stopped Playing Palworld For This Creature-Collector Game
The author expresses excitement for HoYoverse's upcoming creature-collector game, Honkai: Nexus Anima, finding it more compelling than Palworld. The game is praised for its engaging battle mechanics, beautiful world design, and the emotional connection it fosters with its creatures, drawing comparisons to and improvements upon the Pokemon series.
Honkai: Nexus Anima is a fun creature collector with an incomprehensible story
Honkai: Nexus Anima offers a fun creature-collecting experience with Teamfight Tactics-style auto battles, but its story is incomprehensible and disconnected from the game's bright aesthetic. While the gameplay loop of collecting and battling is engaging, the lack of mechanical depth and a confusing narrative may hinder long-term investment for players.
Coming to XBOX Game Pass: Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and More
Xbox Game Pass is adding several new titles throughout July and early August, including day-one releases like Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, and Shift at Midnight. The service will also see the addition of The Planet Crafter, Hell is Us, Mistfall Hunter, Corsair Cove, Heretic + Hexen, and Zenless Zone Zero. Several games are also scheduled to leave the Game Pass library on July 31.
Something for the Weekend – 18/07/26
This week's gaming news includes confirmed remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, an injury to Ryan Hurst impacting Kratos's portrayal, and an earlier release date for Hot Wheels Infinite Rush. id Software addressed recent layoffs with a positive outlook, while Star Trek: Voyager – Across the Unknown received an expansion pass. Players are experiencing matchmaking issues with Black Ops on PlayStation, and a network test for The Duskbloods is set for August. Several games received reviews, including KAZ (9/10), Beastro (8/10), and Necrophosis Full Consciousness (7/10). New trailers were released for Marvel's Wolverine, Battlefield 6 Season 4, and Zenless Zone Zero 3.1.
Epic Games CEO says "Steam charges such high fees" that companies like Genshin Impact maker MiHoYo "find it more profitable to go it alone," fans remind him MiHoYo has multiple games on Steam
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney stated that Steam's high fees make it more profitable for major companies like MiHoYo to distribute their games independently. This claim was met with a community note clarifying that MiHoYo has a growing presence on Steam, recently releasing Zenless Zone Zero and potentially planning a Steam launch for Genshin Impact.
Genshin Impact creator miHoYo has released an AI companion on Steam, an eternal student cursed to never obtain her piano…
Genshin Impact developer miHoYo has launched an AI chatbot companion named BSide: Olivia Lin on Steam in China, marking an early application of its significant investment in AI technology. The company is also integrating AI into upcoming titles like Petit Planet and Genesis, and is reportedly hiring artists experienced with generative AI for Honkai: Nexus Anima.
Scopely is Making a New Marvel Co-Op Gacha Action Game for Android, iOS – Rumor
A new Marvel co-op action RPG with gacha mechanics is reportedly in development by Scopely for Android and iOS, codenamed Project Comet. Leaks suggest early builds feature characters like Juggernaut and UI elements for combat and movement, with character designs potentially inspired by Marvel Rivals. Scopely is also rumored to be working on a co-op Witcher game for PC and mobile.
Morning Tech Bits
Zenless Zone Zero Version 3.0 is set to launch on June 17th, introducing DLSS 4.5 and Ray Tracing support, as announced by NVIDIA. NVIDIA also released RTX Remix 1.5, featuring AI Agent Skills for game modders.
This Week’s Japanese Game Releases: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, more
This week's Japanese game releases are highlighted by The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Other notable titles include UsoNatsu: The Summer Romance Bloomed From A Lie for Switch, Pokemon Champions for iOS and Android, and EA Sports UFC 6 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. The article also lists various DLC and update releases for existing games.
Zenless Zone Zero v3.0 Adds New City, New Form, and Free Pulls on PS5
Zenless Zone Zero's free v3.0 update, launching June 17th, introduces a new city called Roscaelifer, the protagonist's combat alter-ego Pyoris, and new gameplay activities including an auto-chess inspired Bangboo minigame. The update also adds the first Wind-based agent, Velina, and offers players 20 free pulls upon logging in.
