Discover how the karma system in inZOI can transform thriving cities into eerie ghost towns if too many Zois die with poor karma. Delve into the intricacies of inZOI's karma system and get ready for its upcoming early access release.
inZOI Cities Can Be Overrun By Ghosts
New Zois Cannot Be Born If There Are Too Many Ghosts
inZOI's unique karma system can turn bustling cities into ghost towns when there's an abundance of ghosts, significantly impacting the city's overall condition. inZOI Director Hyungjun Kim shared insights on this system in the latest issue of PC Gamer Magazine, highlighting its profound effect on player experience.
Kim explained, "Each action a Zoi takes accumulates karma points." He further noted, "Upon death, a karma evaluation determines the soul's state. If the karma score is too low, the Zoi becomes a ghost and must redeem their karma points before they can be reborn."
The consequences of neglecting the karma system can be dire. Kim elaborated, "If too many ghosts haunt the city, new Zois cannot be born, and families cannot be formed. This places the burden on players to manage the karma of the Zois within the city." This mechanism adds a layer of responsibility for players, who must balance the karma system to prevent their cities from becoming ghost towns.
Kim emphasized that the system is not about enforcing 'good' actions over 'bad' ones. He stated, "Life cannot be divided simply into good and bad; every life has its own meaning and value." He encourages players to explore inZOI's karma system to "create diverse events and stories, while exploring the many meanings of life."
inZOI Director Has Great Respect for the Legacy The Sims Built
While inZOI may be seen as a significant contender in the life simulation genre, challenging the dominance of The Sims, Director Hyungjun Kim does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he sees inZOI as another option for fans of the genre.
Kim expressed his respect for The Sims, saying, "We see Inzoi not as a competitor to The Sims, but rather as another option that fans of this genre can enjoy." He acknowledged the legacy The Sims has built, stating, "We have great respect for what The Sims has achieved over the years. Reaching that depth in such a short time is no easy feat, especially given the complexity of life sim games which attempt to encapsulate the vast concept of 'life.'"
The team's vision for inZOI is to offer a distinct experience through unique features. Kim highlighted, "Inzoi is designed to allow players to freely shape the life they desire, using various creative tools." These include a realistic visual style powered by Unreal Engine 5, in-depth customization features, and AI-driven creative tools. Kim hopes that players will use these features to "bring their imaginations to life, become their own protagonists, and live in those worlds."
inZOI Early Access and Online Showcase Livestream
inZOI has set a specific release date for its early access on Steam: March 28, 2025, at 00:00 UTC. The developers have also provided a global map with specific release times for different regions and countries.
An online showcase livestream is scheduled for March 19, 2025, at 01:00 UTC on inZOI’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. This event will cover early access pricing, details on DLC, inZOI’s developmental roadmap, and answers to popular community questions. A new early access teaser has also been uploaded to their YouTube channel.
inZOI will launch its early access on Steam on March 28, 2025, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. While no specific release date for the full game has been announced, you can stay updated on the latest information about inZOI on our dedicated page.
