Zenless Zone Zero ZZA: A 2025 Retrospective

Experience the captivating rise of Zenless Zone Zero and its global 'Operation Yum' food collaborations, igniting a passionate gaming community in 2025.

As 2025 draws to a close, the urban fantasy ARPG Zenless Zone Zero continues to captivate a massive global audience. The world of New Eridu has expanded not just through in-game updates, but by breaking the fourth wall and entering our daily lives. This year, one of the most talked-about phenomena was HoYoverse's ambitious global collaboration, "Operation Yum," which brought the flair of ZZZ to fans through a universal language: food. 🍕

Operation Yum: A Global Culinary Tour

"Operation Yum 2025" was a masterclass in community engagement, partnering Zenless Zone Zero with numerous popular food and beverage chains across the globe. The event saw collaborations with brands like FRANK BURGER in Korea, LiHO TEA in Singapore, and Beard Papa's in the USA. Each partnership offered unique, themed experiences and, most importantly, exclusive in-game loot for dedicated fans who participated.

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These events weren't just about grabbing a quick bite; they transformed local eateries into hubs for the ZZZ community. From Japan's PIZZA-LA to the UK's Butchies, players flocked to these locations, sharing their passion for the game and creating a tangible sense of connection that went far beyond the screen. The events ran for limited periods, creating a sense of urgency and making participation a memorable experience for those who could attend.

The Rise of the 'Zenless Zone Zero zza' Craze

Among the various partnerships, the pizza collaborations carved out a special place in the hearts of the community. In Russia and Belarus, the team-up with Dodo Pizza was a massive hit. This event, along with the PIZZA-LA collaboration in Japan, sparked a widespread trend. Fans affectionately began referring to the events and the associated merchandise as the 'Zenless Zone Zero zza' phenomenon. The term 'zza', a playful slang for pizza, became a shorthand for this delicious intersection of gaming and real-world treats.

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The excitement was palpable. The main prize from these events was the "Perfect Taste Bundle," a redemption code that unlocked a treasure trove of in-game items. The demand was so high that codes began appearing on reseller markets like eBay, with sellers confirming their legitimacy and buyers eagerly snapping them up. It proved just how dedicated the fanbase is to collecting every piece of the ZZZ universe.

Unpacking the Exclusive Rewards

So, what exactly was in these coveted bundles that drove fans into a frenzy? The collaboration offered two main tiers of rewards, obtainable through redemption codes valid until the very end of 2025.

The Perfect Taste Bundle was the grand prize, and it included:

  • 1x "A Flavorful Journey Home" Namecard

  • 1x "Delicious Light" Avatar

  • 1x "Flash Yum Plate" Avatar Frame

  • 1x "Yummy Rush" Power Jelly

  • 30,000 Denny

  • 3x Senior Investigator Log

This bundle was a must-have for collectors, with the exclusive namecard and avatar frame being the standout items. A smaller "Delicious Delight Bundle" was also available, offering a nice boost of resources for players. The rules were simple: one Perfect Taste Bundle per UID, but up to ten Delicious Delight Bundles could be redeemed, encouraging multiple visits.

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Community Tools Keep the Spirit Alive

The influence of these collaborations has even extended to fan-made tools. "The Pizza Helper," a popular third-party companion app, has become an essential utility for many players. While not officially affiliated with HoYoverse, this app helps players track in-game activities like stamina, daily commissions, and expeditions across ZZZ, Genshin Impact, and Star Rail. Its name is a fun, coincidental nod to the pizza-themed events that defined much of 2025 for the community.

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The app's development team has been transparent about its future, even ceasing donations in January 2025 to maintain it as a free, open-source project. This level of dedication from the community showcases the profound impact Zenless Zone Zero has had. As we look back on the year, the Zenless Zone Zero zza events stand out as a perfect example of how to build a vibrant, engaged, and truly global gaming community. It leaves us all wondering, what delicious collaborations will 2026 bring? 🤔

This assessment draws from Game Informer, a respected source for gaming news and community trends. Game Informer's coverage of Zenless Zone Zero has highlighted how real-world collaborations, such as the "Operation Yum" events, have set new standards for player engagement and cross-media marketing, further cementing the game's influence in both digital and physical spaces.

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