Zwift Hot Topic: The Next Level

Leveling up is one way that many modern video games show progression. It’s a clear indicator that your hard work and skillful gameplay are paying off.

This can come with fun rewards like new abilities or gear for your character or avatar. In Zwift, we can unlock fun cosmetic kit items and the chance to get new Drop Shop equipment.

It’s also a kind of shorthand for how experienced you are at that game. That level 60 rider you see cruising around Watopia probably knows more of the ins and outs of Zwift than one who’s level 10. That number signifies the time and effort they’ve put in over the years.

But recently, Zwift changed how levels work. The XP needed to reach each cycling level is now less than it used to be, and users are being shifted to their new number with accelerated leveling. (Learn more about the new Zwift level system in this article!)

Does this cheapen higher levels? Is it disrespectful to more experienced Zwifters? After riding so long to reach level 60, now someone else can get there with a lot less work.

In fact, it even takes less XP to reach level 100 than it used to take to reach level 60. A Twitch streamer called DrWeebles said this feels like a downgrade.

DrWeebles: “I worked really darn hard and put a lot of time into Zwift to get to level 60 and get the XP that I have, and I prefer if levels that are added increase my XP from where it is now, not bring it backwards.”

A Zwifter who goes by Hardclaws responded with some counterpoints. He pointed out that other games have rebalanced levels in a similar way so they can become more accessible and rewarding to newer players.

Hardclaws: “Reducing the experience required to level up is ok and it’s nothing new. If you get on World of Warcraft now you can level way quicker than you could when the game was originally released. It’s how the world is and always been when it comes to levels and makes it more appealing.”

Being able to level up faster helps to keep people motivated and engaged with Zwift, especially when they may not be riding as much as the “power users.” If the next level and unlock is just 100XP away, they’re more likely to ride just a little bit longer than if they had 500 points to earn.

I like having more rewards to chase. I know the promise of something new and shiny can tempt me to do more riding than I normally would!

Also, it’s not like the old leveling system really made sense. The amount of XP you needed to get from one level to the next would go up and down inconsistently. The new system gradually increases the XP needed to level up, making it more intuitive.

Zwift did try to give max-level riders something with this update. Level 100 riders will still see their progress bar fill up as they ride. Once it is filled, they will earn 50,000 Drops and the progress bar will reset again.

Hold on. Does there even need to be a maximum level?

Hardclaws: “I don’t get why there is even a level cap anyway. Just let levels keep ticking on. Who cares if someone is level 1000? (It) just shows they ride a lot. At least if you don’t have a cap on the levels then you never have to worry about this.”

Weebles agreed that he might be able to accept the XP rescaling if levels continued indefinitely. Of course, if that happened, Zwift couldn’t continue to give unlocks past a certain point. Maybe they could release more over time. At least riders would get the satisfaction of continued progress – and bragging rights!

Your Thoughts

What do you think? Did Zwift make the right call with these changes, or is there a better way to handle XP and levels that can motivate everyone?