Facai-Chinese New Year Moreways: 10 Creative Traditions to Boost Your Fortune

I’ve always been fascinated by how traditions evolve—whether we’re talking about Lunar New Year customs or the way video games build on their own legacies. Take Chinese New Year, or Facai as many say when wishing for wealth and good fortune. It’s not just about red envelopes and lion dances anymore. People are getting creative, blending old beliefs with new twists to boost their luck. And funnily enough, that spirit of innovation reminds me of what’s happening in the gaming world, especially with Call of Duty’s Zombies mode. Treyarch recently announced they’re releasing a “guided” version of Zombies sometime after Black Ops 6 launches. As someone who enjoys Zombies but wouldn’t call myself hardcore, I can’t help but draw parallels. Just like modern Lunar New Year practices aim to make age-old traditions more accessible, this guided mode seems designed to pull in players who might otherwise feel overwhelmed.

Let’s talk about those traditions first. One of my personal favorites is “wealth vase” placement—something my family started doing a few years back. Instead of just displaying decorations, you curate a small vase with specific items like coins, rice, and gemstones, placing it in the wealth corner of your home according to Feng Shui principles. It sounds simple, but the intentionality behind it makes the practice feel meaningful. Another one I’ve tried is digital red envelopes. Sure, it lacks the tactile charm of the paper versions, but when you’re living miles away from relatives, sending luck via WeChat or PayPal feels surprisingly personal. Then there’s the trend of “fortune foods” with a modern spin—like dumplings shaped like ingots but stuffed with unexpected ingredients such as truffle or lobster. I remember one New Year’s Eve when my aunt surprised everyone with matcha-infused niangao. It divided the family, but hey, innovation isn’t always unanimous.

These traditions aren’t just random changes—they’re responses to how we live now. We want depth, but we also want approachability. And that’s exactly what Treyarch is tackling with Zombies. I still remember playing Black Ops Cold War back in 2020. Four years is a long time in gaming, and jumping into Black Ops 6’s Zombies mode now feels both familiar and intimidating. The maps—Terminus and Liberty Falls—are packed with hidden mechanics and Easter eggs. Exploring them with friends who aren’t die-hard fans can be a mixed experience. On one hand, the sheer depth of fighting and surviving is as engaging as ever. On the other, it’s easy to feel lost when you’re just popping in occasionally. I’ve had sessions where we spent over an hour just figuring out one hidden trigger, and while that’s rewarding for some, my less dedicated friends often lose interest. That’s the struggle Zombies has faced for years—bringing in new players without diluting what makes it special.

The guided mode feels like a smart compromise. Think of it as the gaming equivalent of those “beginner-friendly” Lunar New Year workshops popping up in cities. They don’t replace the traditional family gatherings, but they offer an entry point. Similarly, the guided experience won’t replace the classic Zombies chaos, but it’ll likely ease newcomers into the rhythm. From what I gather, it might highlight objectives, simplify some mechanics, or maybe even integrate hints into the UI. If executed well, it could retain the mode’s richness while reducing the initial friction. After all, not everyone has the time or patience to decode every nuance. I know I don’t, especially when real life keeps me busy. Yet, I still want to feel that thrill of survival and discovery.

What strikes me is how both these realms—cultural traditions and gaming—balance heritage with accessibility. In Chinese New Year, we’re seeing around 70% of young urbanites adopting at least one non-traditional custom, according to a survey I read last year. Whether it’s tech-enhanced rituals or fusion foods, the goal is the same: keep the essence, refresh the experience. In Zombies, the core—tense combat, layered maps, cooperative play—remains intact. But by adding guided elements, Treyarch isn’t dumbing things down. They’re building a bridge. And honestly, that’s something I support. As much as I respect the purists who’ve mastered every Zombies map since World at War, the community needs fresh blood. The same goes for cultural practices—without adaptation, they risk fading into irrelevance.

So where does that leave us? Whether you’re arranging a wealth vase for better Feng Shui or diving into Terminus with a guided hint system, the underlying principle is inclusivity. We’re redefining what it means to participate. For me, blending old and new has made Chinese New Year more engaging than ever. And I’m optimistic that Black Ops 6’s Zombies updates will do the same. It’s not about removing challenge; it’s about widening the door. After four years since Cold War, I’m ready for a Zombies experience that respects my time without sacrificing depth. And who knows? Maybe this Lunar New Year, I’ll try another creative tradition—like writing fortune poems in augmented reality. Some might call it gimmicky, but if it keeps the spirit alive, I’m all for it.