My Zenless Zone Zero PS5 Technical Test Experience: A Proxy's Retrospective

Back in April 2024, HoYoverse opened a narrow recruitment window for the Zenless Zone Zero PlayStation 5 Technical Test. As a Proxy who has followed every beta since the first closed alpha, I cleared my schedule, logged into my HoYoverse account, and filled out the survey the moment sign-ups went live. Now, writing in 2026, I can look back at that test with clear eyes. It was limited, it was temporary, and it erased all data. Yet it mattered. It gave PS5 players an early feel for New Eridu's fast, stylish combat and helped shape the full release we enjoy today.

The sign-up period ran from April 10 at 11:00 UTC+8 to April 17 at 15:00 UTC+8. That is a seven-day window, and I remember it feeling both generous and terrifying. Generous because it gave working Proxies time to apply. Terrifying because every hour without a confirmation email made me wonder if I had missed my shot. The test itself was PlayStation 5 only. No PC, no mobile, no cross-save. It was a focused technical trial, not a full launch. HoYoverse made that clear from the start: limited accounts, no payment options, and complete data deletion after the test ended.

Key Facts at a Glance

How I Signed Up and What I Learned

I used my HoYoverse account, completed the sign-up survey, and submitted it. That submission was the entire registration. There was no secret handshake, no extra purchase, and no PlayStation Plus requirement. The survey asked for my email address, and I double-checked it three times because the form could not be edited after submission. If you made a typo, you were out of luck. That detail alone taught me to slow down during beta sign-ups.

The age gate was strict: only users 16 and older could qualify. I respect that. Technical tests often include unfinished content, and HoYoverse wanted a mature enough audience to handle it. Once sign-ups closed, successful Proxies received an email with a redemption code. The code was tied to the test and could not be transferred. Selling, sharing, or trading it was forbidden. I have seen account traders try to exploit betas before, and it never ends well. HoYoverse promised to revoke qualifications for violations, and I believe they meant it.

The Fine Print That Mattered

Every technical test comes with fine print, and this one was no exception. The game was still in development, so character skills, text, art, and performance did not represent final quality. That was obvious from the first hour. Some animations snapped. Some UI elements felt placeholder. But the core combat already had that Zenless punch: parries, chain attacks, and a rhythm that rewarded aggressive play. I spent more time in the training room than I expected, just testing dodge cancels and team synergy.

Another important note: test qualification was only valid for that specific test. It did not roll over to the Amplifying Test. Progress did not carry over either. When the test ended, the data vanished. I lost my characters, my currency, and my carefully tuned gear. It stung for a moment, but that is the deal with betas. You are there to test, not to build a permanent account.

FAQ Highlights for Future Proxies

Here are the questions I saw most often, along with the answers that saved me from panic:

• How do I qualify? Complete the sign-up survey. Submission equals registration. Age 16+ only.

• Can I edit my survey? No. It is locked after submission.

• No verification email? Check spam or subscriptions first, then contact official customer service.

• Does pre-registration count? No. Pre-registration on the website is separate from the technical test survey.

• How do I confirm success? The survey page shows that submission is completed.

• When are results announced? After sign-ups end, HoYoverse emails successful Proxies.

• Is internet required? Yes. A stable connection is needed throughout.

• How much storage? 40GB of free PS5 space.

• Will data be saved? No. It will be deleted.

• Do I need PlayStation Plus? No.

• Can I stream or post screenshots? Yes, with common-sense limits. Unpacking, piracy, deliberate defamation, and improper use are not allowed.

My Final Take as a 2026 Proxy

Looking back from 2026, the Zenless Zone Zero PS5 Technical Test feels like a time capsule. It was short, restrictive, and unforgiving about data. But it was also a pure expression of why I love technical tests: you see a game before the polish, before the guides, before the meta. You feel the rough edges and the raw intent. If HoYoverse ever opens another PS5 technical test for a future project, I will be there again, survey ready, email triple-checked, and 40GB of space cleared. For any Proxy who missed it, do not dwell on the lost codes. The full game is here now, and the lessons from that test live on in every Hollow excursion. 🎮