Zenless Zone Zero Marks Milestone with Major Version 2.0 Update and Xbox Series Console Launch

I’m going to attempt to convey what you shared in a way that feels a little more… human. Here goes, one tangled thought at a time:

Wow, so this day? Major buzz in New Eridu because, guess what, Zenless Zone Zero is having a big bash for its first anniversary. They’ve rolled out Version 2.0 — like a shiny present no one can resist. Oh, and finally, an Xbox version! Been waiting on that one. Plus, there’s this log-in event: you get to nab a free S-Rank Agent and a free S-Rank W-Engine from the usual gacha, sprinkling 1,600 Polychrome (funny money for gacha pulls) and a snazzy profile title and avatar. Perfect if you want to show off like, “Hey, I was there for the party, guys!”

Now, if your brain’s like, “Seriously? A year already?” You’re not off. The actual birthday isn’t right now. They pulled a fast one, ’cause Zenless really debuted on July 4, 2024. But, you know, HoYo games love their rhythm—six weeks per update is their jam. So, this anniversary hoopla happens now, kinda early, right in the midst of this update period. Clever, right?

So, Zenless Zone Zero, it’s this mashup of urban, sci-fi, and fantasy vibes. You tag along with Belle and Wise, siblings with a retro video shop disguising a way cooler gig—escorting trained “Agents” into these off-limits and risky exclusion zones, oddly called “Hollows.” These popped up around New Eridu after a huge disaster hit. Interesting ax twist from what HoYoverse usually throws at us: you’re not playing as these protagonists in battles. Nah, they hang in the hub world, while the Agents star in the gacha, doing all the combat heavy lifting.

Oh, and Version 2.0? The beginning of what they’re calling “second season” of ZZZ. Fresh mysteries, new faces, new stories. Speaking of fresh, shoutout to Yixuan and Pan Yinhu—both just dropped today, super new. Yixuan’s got S-Rank coolness, while Pan Yinhu’s at A-Rank. They also welcome players into the game’s 11th gang, Yunkui Summit. What’s new? Yixuan’s this Rupture Agent—a fresh combat class, first since ZZZ kicked off.

Besides cranking up Season 2, Zenless Zone Zero’s hopping to Xbox Series consoles and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Pretty exciting if you’re one for spreading your gaming platforms wide.

There’s a picture here somewhere of Yixuan making her grand entrance. Astra Yao gets a rerun too! Pan Yinhu, though, will join the regulars once the anniversary party wraps. Props to HoYoverse for spicing things up.

But, amidst the birthday vibes, there’s this storm cloud—HoYoverse is in the hot seat with a labor spat involving US-based actors who voice for ZZZ, Genshin Impact, and Honkai: Star Rail. Loads of actors switched out recently, even original leads from Zenless. They’re voicing up about losing gigs due to supporting the strike, a push to shield voice actors from generative AI using their voices willy-nilly. HoYoverse keeps mum on the shakeups, blames it on “recording scheduling,” whatever that substantiates.

Amid all the chaos, isn’t it crazy how much one year spins for a game and its creators? Here’s to the messy, scintillating, and sometimes absurd world of gaming that never quite runs out of stories.