Zenless Zone Zero’s Xbox Release Leaves One HoYoverse Title…

Like most of HoYoverse's recent releases, Zenless Zone Zero started out as a timed PlayStation 5 console exclusive. Although the game was initially meant to be launched on just PC, iOS, and Android, Sony and HoYoverse announced during a PlayStation State of Play that it would get a simultaneous PS5 release, as well. Unfortunately, Xbox and Nintendo players were left in the cold, as Sony announced that same day that it had signed a six-month exclusivity contract for the game. Now, however, Zenless Zone Zero is finally making its way to additional platforms.

A few weeks ago, HoYoverse revealed that Zenless Zone Zero would be released on Xbox Series X/S on June 6, 2025, thus bringing an end to the game's PlayStation exclusivity. This Xbox port is going to be launched alongside Zenless Zone Zero's game-changing 2.0 update, which will introduce a new region known as the Waifei Peninsula and include several new quests, minigames, and activities. Although the game is free-to-play, it will be available via Xbox Game Pass at launch. Players who subscribe to the service will be able to unlock additional rewards and content in the game.

Zenless Zone Zero Leak Shows Belle and Wise Skins

Zenless Zone Zero Leak Showcases New Belle and Wise Skins

New leaks from Zenless Zone Zero are giving a closer look at the in-game skins coming for Belle and Wise as part of the Version 2.0 update.

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By Michael Brandon Ingram

Despite ZZZ's Release, Honkai: Star Rail is Still Not Available on Xbox

Now that Zenless Zone Zero is coming to Xbox, there is another major HoYoverse game left that has yet to hit the console. That game is, of course, Honkai: Star Rail. Released on PS5, PC, iOS, and Android in 2023, Honkai: Star Rail is the newest installment in HoYoverse's long-running Honkai franchise. Unlike its predecessors, it's a turn-based sci-fi RPG, somewhat reminiscent of titles like Persona. Even though Honkai: Star Rail has been out for a few years at this point, it hasn't made its way to other platforms yet, and HoYoverse has been reluctant to provide information on the matter.

One of HoYoverse's other big games, Genshin Impact, was released on Xbox in November 2024, about four years after its debut on PlayStation consoles.

Sony's Exclusivity Deal for Honkai: Star Rail Has Not Expired Yet

The fact that Zenless Zone Zero is coming to Xbox before Honkai: Star Rail may seem a bit strange to some, considering the latter is a year older than the former. However, there is a good reason for this. If one takes a look at the latest trailers for Honkai: Star Rail on the official PlayStation YouTube channel, they will notice that there is mention of a PS5 exclusivity clause at the end of each video. This basically confirms that Sony has signed an exclusivity contract for the game, which hasn't expired yet.

Normally, when Sony signs an exclusivity deal like this, it often informs people of when said deal will end. With Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, for instance, the company explicitly mentioned that the game would only be exclusive to PlayStation 5 for three months. However, there is no such indication when it comes to Honkai: Star Rail. According to Sony, the game is "console exclusive to PlayStation 5 for a limited time." The term "limited time" can, frankly, mean anything, and it doesn't really give a clue or idea about any potential launch window for an Xbox port of the game.

Honkai: Star Rail Could Come to Xbox Later this Year

Honkai: Star Rail's launch was somewhat different compared to Zenless Zone Zero's in that the game was released on PC and mobile devices first before the PlayStation 5. Honkai: Star Rail initially came out in April 2023, but it was later ported to PS5 in October of that year. If Sony's exclusivity deal for the game is intended to last two years, then it's possible that Honkai: Star Rail will be released on Xbox (and possibly Nintendo Switch 2) as early as October 2025. However, it's worth mentioning that just because an exclusivity deal for a game ends on a specific date, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will be released on other consoles on that same day. Zenless Zone Zero's staggered release on Xbox proves this point.

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