Discussing from the game mechanics: Is this "online coefficient" in Zenless Zone Zero reasonable?
The continuous online coefficient mechanism in the 2.7 event of Zenless Zone Zero has sparked dissatisfaction among players, with the forced online design being unreasonable and affecting the gaming experience. Cloud phone services like Hive Cloud Box have become a new choice, but the fundamental issue still lies in the mechanism not aligning with the mobile usage scenario.
Discussing the Game Mechanism: Is the “Online Coefficient” in Zenless Zone Zero Reasonable?
Introduction: Players’ Complaints
In the early hours of May 30, a hot post on TapTap titled “Lost 20,000 Points After an 8-Minute Disconnection During the 2.7 Event” sparked a heated discussion. Many people encountered similar situations: with only 6 hours left in the event, they were unable to stay online due to work or other life commitments, and their rankings plummeted from Top 3 to 97.
The root of this problem lies in the continuous online coefficient mechanism introduced by miHoYo in the 2.7 “Zero Void - Rift Observation” event.
I. How Does the Mechanism Work?
The event rules state that the points formula is as follows:
Points = Base Challenge Score × (1 + Continuous Online Hours × 0.05)
In simpler terms:
- Being online for 12 consecutive hours grants a 1.6x multiplier.
- If two players both achieve 100,000 base points, the one who stays online for 12 hours will earn 60,000 more points than the one who goes offline.
- The most problematic part: If you disconnect for more than 5 minutes, the coefficient resets to zero.
From the operator’s perspective, this mechanism aims to increase DAU (Daily Active Users) and user online duration, which is a common practice in the mobile gaming industry. However, from the player’s experience, whether such a “forced online” design is reasonable is indeed debatable.
II. How Difficult Is It for Players?
2.1 Uncontrollable Real-Life Factors
For working professionals and students, staying online for several hours continuously is already a luxury:
- You can’t always hold your phone during meetings or business trips.
- Sleep is a physiological need; you can’t skip it just for the event.
- Network fluctuations and unexpected power outages are beyond control.
2.2 The Punishment Is Too Harsh
The most critical issue is the 5-minute disconnection reset. Consider these scenarios:
| Scenario | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Internet disconnected while sleeping | The 0.6 coefficient accumulated over 12 hours resets to zero |
| Phone battery dies | You have to start over when you log back in |
| Briefly leaving without locking the screen | The system might consider you offline |
This design… honestly, seems more like a way to pressure players rather than a healthy game design.
III. How Are Players Coping?
3.1 Pitfalls of Traditional Methods
- Keeping the phone on all the time: Issues with battery, network, and screen lock make this impractical.
- Using emulators for multiple accounts: Requires a good computer and isn’t always accessible.
- Hiring someone to play for you: Risk of account bans and costs money.
3.2 Cloud Phones as a New Option?
Cloud phone services have gained popularity in recent years, offering a new solution. For example, NestBox Cloud Phone has several advantages:
- 7×24 hour online: Runs in the cloud, independent of your personal device.
- Automatic reconnection upon disconnection: Switches lines automatically during network fluctuations to maintain the game connection.
- Progress check anytime: Can be viewed on a tablet or another phone.
- Compatible with older devices: The client only needs to decode video streams, requiring minimal configuration.
Reference link: NestBox Official Website
3.3 How Much Does It Cost?
NestBox Cloud Phone pricing is as follows:
| Model | Configuration | Monthly Fee | Suitable Scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Edition | 8-core 4GB | ￥38 | Background tasks, daily activities |
| HD Edition | 8-core 4GB + 1080P | ￥48 | For those who care about graphics quality |
| Premium Edition | 8-core 5GB | ￥60 | Running multiple scripts, stable ranking |
For a 14-day event, the HD Edition would cost around 24 yuan per day. Compared to buying in-game items, this cost is relatively acceptable.
IV. The Core Issue Is Still the Mechanism
I believe there are several issues with the continuous online coefficient in Zenless Zone Zero:
- Doesn’t align with mobile usage scenarios: Mobile games are designed for fragmented time, not for continuous hours of play.
- Favors studios: How can regular players compete with studios in terms of online duration?
- Health risks: Prolonged use of phones can lead to overheating and battery issues.
Of course, operators aim to increase DAU, which is a commercial necessity. However, finding a balance between commercial goals and player experience is something developers need to seriously consider.
V. Final Thoughts
Cloud phones essentially decouple the “online” behavior from physical devices. They can be used for legitimate purposes or abused—how they are used depends on the players and the game’s official stance.
For ordinary players, finding the best solution within the rules is a rational choice. In the long run, I hope game companies can optimize event mechanisms so that everyone can enjoy the game without being held hostage by “online duration.”
Let’s Chat:
- Do you think the “online coefficient” mechanism is reasonable?
- Besides cloud phones, do you have any other strategies for dealing with long-duration events?
- Should game companies consider the actual circumstances of working professionals and students more?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
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