inZOI's unique karma system can transform bustling cities into eerie ghost towns. Learn more about this intriguing mechanic and the upcoming early access release.

inZOI Cities: A Ghostly Problem

Too Many Ghosts, No New Zois

In inZOI, a surplus of ghostly inhabitants can dramatically impact city life, potentially turning vibrant metropolises into desolate wastelands. PC Gamer recently featured inZOI Director Hyungjun Kim, who shed light on the game's impactful karma system.

Kim explains that "Each Zoi action accumulates karma points." Their afterlife depends on this score: "Upon death, a karma evaluation determines the soul's state. Low scores result in becoming a ghost, requiring karma redemption before rebirth."

The accumulation of low-karma ghosts has significant consequences. Kim states, "Too many ghosts prevent new Zois from being born and families from forming, placing the responsibility of city prosperity on the players." This adds a crucial layer of strategic gameplay, demanding players carefully manage the karma of their city's residents.

Kim clarifies that the system isn't about simply rewarding "good" and punishing "bad" actions. He emphasizes, "Life isn't simply good or bad; every life holds meaning and value." Players are encouraged to explore inZOI's karma system to create diverse narratives and explore the complexities of life within the game.

inZOI: Respecting The Sims Legacy

inZOI is poised to be a major contender in the life simulation genre, challenging the long-standing dominance of The Sims. However, Kim doesn't view it as direct competition.

He explains, "We see inZOI not as a competitor to The Sims, but as another option for genre fans." He expresses profound respect for the franchise, acknowledging, "We greatly respect The Sims' legacy. Achieving such depth in a short time is incredibly challenging, given the vast and complex nature of simulating 'life.'"

inZOI aims to offer a unique experience by highlighting its distinctive features. Kim points out, "inZOI lets players freely shape their desired lives with various creative tools. This is achieved through a realistic visual style (Unreal Engine 5), in-depth customization, and AI-driven creative tools. We hope players explore these features, become protagonists in their own worlds, and bring their imaginations to life."

inZOI Early Access and Livestream Showcase

inZOI's early access launch date has been announced! The official website reveals that inZOI will enter early access on Steam on March 28, 2025, at 00:00 UTC. A worldwide map provides region-specific release times.

A live showcase will take place on March 19, 2025, at 01:00 UTC on inZOI's official YouTube and Twitch channels. This livestream will detail early access pricing, DLC plans, the development roadmap, and answer community questions. A new early access teaser is also available on their YouTube channel.

inZOI's early access launches on Steam March 28, 2025, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions planned. Check our inZOI page for the latest updates.