Even if one is generally skeptical about gacha games’ appeal, it’s undeniable that MiHoYo has consistently hit the mark. Since bursting onto the scene in 2020 with the massively popular Genshin Impact, MiHoYo has continued to set high standards in the gaming world. Their follow-up title, Honkai Star Rail, maintained this momentum with its turn-based RPG mechanics and polished execution.
Now, it appears that MiHoYo’s latest action-RPG, Zenless Zone Zero, released just over a year after Honkai Star Rail, is on track to be another major success. According to the game’s official Twitter account, Zenless Zone Zero has already achieved over 50 million downloads worldwide:
“Zenless Zone Zero has reached 50 million downloads globally since its release. A city that once only existed in the hopes and dreams of the dev team has never been as buzzing with life as it is now. Your patience and support have made New Eridu what it is today.”
While the number of people who spend money on the game is a different metric, the sheer volume of downloads speaks volumes about the game’s interest level—50 million downloads are equivalent to the populations of three Norway, five and a half Londons, or 1.3 Californias.
To put this into perspective, World of Warcraft peaked at around 12 million subscribers during the Wrath of the Lich King era. Steam concurrent player numbers that garner celebration, such as Helldivers 2 with 300,000 players, barely compare. Even Fortnite hit around 6 million concurrents last year.
Of course, downloads are different from concurrent players. Many players will likely try Zenless Zone Zero, engage with it briefly, and then move on. The more interesting question is whether MiHoYo can maintain its audience across three titles, considering the time and financial investment gacha games typically require. While Zenless Zone Zero may captivate a new audience, it will likely include many Genshin Impact players who are already deeply invested in that game.
Interestingly, World of Warcraft has managed to keep its player base engaged by offering multiple versions and modes of the game simultaneously. Similarly, MiHoYo might be content if some players shift their focus between their titles, as long as the overall engagement and revenue stay strong.
In summary, Zenless Zone Zero‘s impressive download numbers reflect MiHoYo’s continued success in the gaming industry. The challenge will be maintaining and growing this audience while balancing the demands of multiple high-profile titles.
