Steam gets Zenless Zone Zero this spring. Here is what changes for PC players

PC players who held off on Zenless Zone Zero because they did not want to install yet another launcher will not have to wait much longer. HoYoverse confirmed that the urban fantasy action-RPG lands on Steam sometime between April 1 and June 30, giving PC gamers a second storefront option beyond the company’s own launcher and the Epic Games Store.

That Q2 window puts the Steam release roughly 10 months after ZZZ first launched in July 2024. At launch, the game was available on PS5, iOS, and Android, while PC players had to use HoYoverse’s proprietary launcher or head to Epic Games Store. The Steam version opens the game to a much larger audience of players who prefer to keep their libraries inside Valve’s ecosystem.

What Steam integration could look like

Steam brings features that the HoYoverse launcher does not offer natively. Cloud saves, achievements, and friend-list integration are all possible, though HoYoverse has not confirmed which of these will make it into the final build. Players should treat those features as unconfirmed until the company provides details.

One question that keeps coming up is Steam Deck compatibility. Some players have speculated that a Steam release naturally means the game will run on Valve’s handheld, but HoYoverse has not addressed that directly. Treat any claims about Steam Deck support as speculation for now.

A shift in HoYoverse’s platform playbook

HoYoverse has historically kept its biggest games — Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail — off Steam, preferring to control updates, monetization, and user data through its own launcher. ZZZ’s arrival on Valve’s storefront marks a departure from that strategy. If the Steam version performs well, it could become a test case for bringing other HoYoverse titles to Steam. But the company has made no official statement about Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail following ZZZ’s path.

This is not the only platform expansion ZZZ has seen recently. Earlier this year, HoYoverse announced an Xbox version of the game during a livestream, and that port is still in development with no confirmed release date. Between the Steam and Xbox versions, HoYoverse is clearly pushing ZZZ beyond its original PlayStation and mobile base.

What you can do right now

The game is already on Steam and available to wishlist. Players who want to be ready can take a few steps before launch:

• Wishlist ZZZ on Steam to receive a notification when it goes live.
• Check your PC specs. ZZZ is a visually demanding title, so make sure your hardware can handle it. HoYoverse has not published official system requirements for the Steam version yet.
• Link your HoYoverse account if you want to carry progress over from another platform. Cross-save already works between PS5, iOS, Android, and the PC launcher, but how Steam fits into that system is not yet confirmed.
• Save your Master Tapes if you are starting fresh. Stocking up early means you will be ready for upcoming banner cycles. For guides on characters and banner schedules, check out the Zenless Zone Zero section on GenshinBuilds.

How the community reacted

The reaction to the Steam announcement has been mostly positive. Players are glad to have ZZZ in their main library without needing a separate launcher. Some see it as a sign that HoYoverse is listening to PC gamers who found the launcher requirement a hassle. Others are more cautious, waiting to see how deep the Steam integration actually goes and whether cross-save will work smoothly.

No exact release date has been announced beyond the Q2 window. For now, wishlisting the game is the only concrete step players can take. HoYoverse will likely share more details closer to launch through its official channels.