Zenless Zone Zero: Behind the Scenes with Zhenyu Li

Engaging with Zenless Zone Zero

Nestled comfortably away from Singapore's sweltering heat, we had the unique opportunity to engage with Zhenyu Li, the lead producer of Zenless Zone Zero.

You might recall seeing him present this urban fantasy action RPG during the Gamescom Opening Night Live in 2023.

Surrounded by his team, Li seemed to navigate a mix of emotions as the next wave of international journalists approached, eager to capture his insights.

While he may not be fully accustomed to such scrutiny, his enthusiasm shone through as he responded to our inquiries, aided by translators.

This direct interaction with the creative force behind the game highlights a significant shift in the industry's landscape.

Interviews with developers from Hoyoverse used to be quite rare.

However, following the overwhelming success of Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail in Western markets, the company is becoming more accessible.- Development of Zenless Zone Zero began in 2020,
and over the past four years,
Zhenyu Li has guided the team to grow to about 400 developers.

The company's expansion shows no signs of slowing down.
In China, Hoyoverse is colloquially referred to as “eating people,”
not in a harmful manner,
but rather indicating how talented individuals can suddenly disappear from their current projects.
These developers often reappear months later,
credited in various Hoyoverse titles.
The organizational structure at Hoyoverse is described as flat,
allowing every team member the opportunity to propose ideas
and express their creativity freely.

The creative team behind Zenless Zone Zero enjoys significant artistic freedom, allowing them to explore a diverse range of inspirations.
A prime example of this is seen in the design of the videotape covers rented by the game’s main characters, Belle and Wise, in their Sixth Street shop in New Eridu.
Such creative liberty, combined with a dedicated workforce, is crucial for maintaining the efficient update schedule at Hoyoverse.
Both Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail benefit from regular content updates every six weeks, and Zenless Zone Zero aims to adhere to this timeline as well.
To ensure that the development process is sustainable and does not lead to burnout, multiple content pipelines are operated simultaneously. This strategy allows teams to allocate sufficient time for both completion and refinement of the content.
Players familiar with Hoyoverse’s games can attest to the effectiveness of this system. Bugs are seldom found in live versions, and when they do appear, they are often so rare that players jokingly speculate they are intentional, meant to offer players compensation.
According to another developer at the studio, these bugs are indeed authentic, highlighting the challenges of game development.

Zenless Zone Zero introduces a familiar framework for players accustomed to Hoyoverse titles.
Key elements such as currencies, character progression, and equipment acquisition follow a similar design.
Despite these shared aspects, the development teams function independently, fostering unique experiences within each game.
The narrative diverges significantly from traditional setups.
Unlike previous titles where players assume the role of an all-powerful hero, the story in Zenless Zone Zero presents a more relatable scenario.
Set in New Eridu, the environment is fraught with challenges, yet it mirrors everyday life.
Residents contend with issues like lost deliveries and balancing schoolwork with hobbies.
Players can also engage in social activities, such as gathering friends for gaming sessions at local arcades.- Zenless Zone Zero captivates players with its unique blend of everyday life and stylish urban fantasy.
This combination keeps the gameplay engaging, seamlessly integrating exploration and combat.
Zhenyu Li, the game’s producer, emphasizes the importance of this balance.
He notes that providing players with experiences beyond mere combat is essential.
“We want to make the game relatable to everyone,” Li states.
Without a variety of content, players might become fatigued from constant fighting.
The urban setting of New Eridu allows players to immerse themselves in diverse experiences outside the action.
This approach ensures that players enjoy a well-rounded gaming experience.

The game aims to immerse players in a vibrant world where characters are not just part of the narrative but are actively present in the community.
Players can engage in various activities with these characters, like arcade games with Billy or enjoying a coffee outing with Nicole.
"Our goal is to provide a range of joyful experiences for players," says Zhenyu Li, highlighting the focus on enjoyment beyond combat.
The decision to adopt an urban fantasy action RPG format was intentional, allowing for diverse and expansive future content.
Hoyoverse’s previous titles have set a precedent with unique time-limited events, hinting at exciting possibilities for Zenless Zone Zero as it evolves.
With such a flexible framework, fans can anticipate innovative and unexpected developments in the game’s updates.

Post-Launch Support Strategies

The development team is currently focused on successfully managing post-launch support.
Zhenyu Li indicates that they are ready to make significant adjustments based on player feedback.
A particular area of concern is the time commitment required for players to engage with new content.
With a plethora of excellent gacha games available from Hoyoverse and other developers, as well as competition from numerous western live-service titles, it's crucial to avoid demanding excessive time from players.
Li describes Zenless Zone Zero as positioned between Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail, emphasizing that it’s designed to be enjoyed “in your free time.”
However, this approach may evolve based on player needs and requests.

The team behind Zenless Zone Zero is contemplating the inclusion of auto-battles,
but they prefer to wait until they can assess player feedback.
“Our priority is to understand player preferences,” the producer stated.
“It’s essential for us to create an experience that is genuinely enjoyable,
rather than simply making gameplay less engaging.”
Zenless Zone Zero aims to appeal to both challenge-seekers and those who enjoy a more relaxed experience.
The game offers its narrative through two difficulty levels,
with the harder mode enhancing enemy capabilities and AI.
This dual approach combines slice-of-life elements with dynamic combat and exploration,
ensuring accessibility for players of all skill levels.
Plans for additional exploration features and casual modes are already in development.
For Zhenyu Li, the allure of action combat games lies in the flexibility of team composition.
While players often optimize their setups for maximum efficiency,
the producer emphasizes that this isn’t the main objective.
“Players should feel free to choose any characters they prefer,” he encourages. - The introduction of "urban teams" is a key element in enhancing team-building dynamics.
Each character hails from distinct factions within the game universe, adding depth to the roster.
Aligning fighters from the same faction yields unique advantages, paralleling the benefits of grouping characters with similar damage types.
Players can discover hidden combo attacks by strategically pairing specific characters and moves, encouraging creative experimentation.
This design element incentivizes players to explore various team compositions for optimal gameplay.

Zhenyu Li emphasizes that in Zenless Zone Zero, skill is more crucial than monetary investment.
Players have the freedom to assemble any team composition they prefer.
During the game's development, over ten different titles were explored, but none resonated with the producer.
He felt these titles failed to capture the essence of what Zenless Zone Zero would ultimately become.
Initially, team configurations of two and four characters were evaluated.
However, four-character teams were deemed too chaotic due to the complexity of the characters compared to those from previous titles.
In contrast, two-character teams are expected to be introduced as a new gameplay mode in the future.
At the game's launch, there will be no healers available among the characters.
However, this is subject to change if new characters align with the game's overall style.
The development team sometimes designs characters based on specific abilities they want to include.
At other times, they create characters from visually striking concepts, ensuring that all elements align with Zhenyu Li’s vision.
The overarching goal is to deliver a fast-paced, stylish combat experience that embraces simplicity and fun.

Hoyoverse is currently enjoying significant success with titles like Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail.
As anticipation builds for Zenless Zone Zero, Zhenyu Li acknowledges the dual nature of expectations:
"There’s pressure, but it fuels our motivation."
His mantra for the team?
"Strive to improve."
This competitive spirit drives the team at Hoyoverse to push boundaries.
When discussing the industry's landscape, Li emphasizes:
"To thrive, we must deliver quality content that stands out."
Before departing from the venue, Zhenyu Li embraces his passions, citing favorites like Frieren, Jujutsu Kaisen, and the Fate series.
He expresses a deep enthusiasm for various video games, including:
Devil May Cry
Bayonetta
Hades
Counter-Strike
Overwatch
Street Fighter
Monster Hunter
Miyazaki's games
Despite his shy demeanor, he engages with fans by taking photos and signing merchandise.
He humorously participates in an awkward photo pose, suggesting that he is gradually acclimating to the spotlight.

Zenless Zone Zero Launch

Zhenyu Li and his work on Zenless Zone Zero signify a transformative chapter for HoYoverse.

Change often feels slow and then suddenly accelerates.

Zenless Zone Zero, an urban fantasy action RPG that exudes excitement, is set to launch on July 4, 2024.

You can expect it to be available across multiple platforms, including PC, PS5, iOS, and Android.

Zenless Zone Zero Monochrome Film: Usage and Acquisition

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