Like most of HoYoverse’s recent releases,Zenless Zone Zerostarted 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 Zerois finally making its way to additional platforms.
Despite ZZZ’s Release, Honkai: Star Rail is Still Not Available on Xbox
Now thatZenless Zone Zerois 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 Railis the newest installment inHoYoverse’s long-runningHonkaifranchise. Unlike its predecessors, it’s a turn-based sci-fi RPG, somewhat reminiscent of titles likePersona. Even thoughHonkai: Star Railhas 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 thatZenless Zone Zerois coming to Xbox beforeHonkai: Star Railmay 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 atthe latest trailers forHonkai: Star Railon 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. WithFinal 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 toHonkai: Star Rail. According to Sony, the game is “console exclusive to PlayStation 5for 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 toZenless Zone Zero’s in that the game was released on PC and mobile devices first before the PlayStation 5.Honkai: Star Railinitially came out in April 2023, but it waslater 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 thatHonkai: Star Railwill 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.
