Cities in inZOI can become ghost towns if too many Zois die with poor karma. Read more about the game's unique karma system and its upcoming early access release.
inZOI Cities Can Be Overrun By Ghosts
In inZOI, cities may transform into eerie ghost towns when a large number of Zois pass away with negative karma. This has a direct impact on the city’s overall state. In the latest edition of PC Gamer Magazine, inZOI Director Hyungjun Kim discussed how deeply the karma system influences gameplay.
According to Kim, "Each action a Zoi performs contributes to their accumulated karma points." He added, "Upon death, a karma evaluation determines what happens to the soul. If the score is too low, the Zoi becomes a ghost and must work off their karma before being reborn."
If unaddressed, an overabundance of ghosts can significantly alter a city’s condition. Kim further explained, "When there are too many ghosts in a city, new Zois cannot be born, and families can no longer form, placing the responsibility on players to maintain balance by managing the karma of the population." This introduces another layer of strategic depth, requiring players to carefully monitor and guide the moral compass of their Zois.
Kim clarified, "The intention isn't to enforce strictly 'good' behavior or discourage 'bad' actions." He continued, "Life can’t simply be categorized into good and evil—each life carries its own meaning and value." He emphasized that players should explore the nuances of the karma system to create rich narratives and discover deeper interpretations of life within the game.
inZOI Director Expresses Admiration for The Sims’ Legacy
While inZOI is emerging as one of the most anticipated entries in the life simulation genre, it’s often compared to The Sims. However, Director Kim does not see it as a direct rival.
He elaborated, "We view inZOI not as a competitor to The Sims, but rather as a complementary experience for fans of the genre." Kim also expressed admiration for the iconic franchise, stating, "We hold deep respect for the legacy that The Sims has built over the years. Achieving such depth in a short time is incredibly challenging, especially given how broad and intricate the concept of 'life' truly is."
The development team aims to offer a fresh perspective through distinctive features. Kim noted, "With inZOI, we want to give players the freedom to craft the life they envision using a variety of creative tools. Our realistic visual style powered by Unreal Engine 5, detailed customization options, and AI-enhanced creativity allow players to bring their imagination to life. We hope players will embrace these tools to become the protagonists of their own stories."
inZOI Early Access Launch and Online Showcase Livestream
The developers have officially announced the early access launch date for inZOI. According to a post on the game’s official website, early access will begin on Steam starting March 28, 2025, at 00:00 UTC. A global release schedule was also shared, showing localized release times for different regions.
A live showcase stream is also scheduled to provide players with in-depth information about the game. The event will take place on March 19, 2025, at 01:00 UTC, and will be broadcast live on inZOI's official YouTube and Twitch channels. The stream will include details on early access pricing, DLC plans, developmental roadmap updates, and responses to popular community questions. A new teaser trailer has already been released on YouTube ahead of the showcase.
inZOI will launch in early access on Steam on March 28, 2025, and will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. No full release date has been announced yet. Visit our inZOI page regularly for the latest updates and announcements.
