Zenless Zone Zero: Steam

Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) is a fantasy action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world where players take on the role of Proxies, venturing into the mysterious Hollows in search of answers or personal gain. The game has garnered anticipation from players for its dynamic, cinematic combat system and roguelike gameplay mechanics.

While Steam is the go-to platform for many PC games, ZZZ has not chosen to join this vast marketplace. Instead, HoYoverse has decided to distribute the game through its own HoYoPlay launcher. This decision may be based on various considerations, including an exclusive launch agreement with the Epic Games Store and a preference for control over their own platform.

For players accustomed to finding and downloading games on Steam, this change may require some adjustment. They will need to download and install a new launcher, which may cause dissatisfaction among some players. However, for those passionate about HoYoverse games, this is not an insurmountable hurdle. The HoYoPlay launcher already hosts several popular Gacha games, such as "Genshin Impact" and "Honkai: Star Rail," which may alleviate players' resistance to the new launcher.

Furthermore, for those wishing to experience ZZZ on the SteamDeck, there may be some technical challenges. Due to potential incompatibility between Mihoyo's anti-cheat system and the SteamDeck's Proton compatibility layer, players may need to seek alternative methods to install and run the game. Nevertheless, some technically adept players may overcome these obstacles by using the Heroic Launcher or other third-party tools.

Conclusion

The decision of ZZZ not to launch on Steam reflects the diversification of game distribution strategies and the ever-changing landscape of the gaming industry. While this may cause inconvenience for some players, it also provides HoYoverse with greater autonomy and control over game distribution. As the game is released globally, we look forward to seeing how the player community adapts to this change and continues to enjoy this challenging and explorative fantasy RPG.