Discover how inZOI’s karma system can lead to literal ghost towns and learn more about the game's upcoming early access release.
inZOI Cities Can Become Ghost Towns
New Zois Cannot Be Born If There Are Too Many Ghosts
In inZOI, cities can transform into eerie ghost towns if too many Zois die with poor karma. This mechanic plays a pivotal role in shaping the player experience, as revealed by inZOI Director Hyungjun Kim in a recent issue of PC Gamer Magazine.
Each time a Zoi performs an action, their karma score is adjusted accordingly. As Kim explained, “Upon death, a karma evaluation determines the state of the soul. If the score is too low, the Zoi becomes a ghost and must redeem their karma points before they can transition into a new life.”
If left unmanaged, excessive ghosts can fundamentally alter the city's status. Kim further noted, “If too many ghosts appear in the city, new Zois cannot be born, nor can families be created, placing the responsibility on players to manage the karma of the Zois within the city.” This dynamic adds a layer of strategic depth, requiring players to maintain balance and prevent urban decay.
Importantly, this system isn’t designed to enforce moral binaries. Kim clarified, “This system is not intended to enforce only 'good' actions and restrict 'bad' ones. Life cannot be divided simply into good and bad; every life has its own meaning and value.” He encouraged players to explore inZOI’s karma system “to create diverse events and stories, while exploring the many meanings of life.”
inZOI Director Expresses Admiration for The Sims Franchise
Although inZOI is emerging as one of the most anticipated entries in the life simulation genre, it does not aim to directly challenge The Sims. Director Hyungjun Kim made it clear that the team sees inZOI as a complementary experience rather than a rival.
“We see Inzoi not as a competitor to The Sims, but rather as another option that fans of this genre can enjoy,” said Kim. He also expressed admiration for the legacy EA’s franchise has built: “We have great respect for the legacy The Sims has built over the years, since we know that reaching that much depth in such a short period of time is no easy task.”
Kim attributed the complexity of life sim games to their broad thematic scope: “This is due to the nature of life sim games which cover the vast and complex concept of 'life,' making it difficult to capture its every aspect.”
With inZOI, the development team aims to offer a fresh take through realistic visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, deep customization features, and AI-driven creative tools. Kim added, “Inzoi is designed to allow players to freely shape the life they desire, using various creative tools. We hope that players explore these features to bring their imaginations to life, become their own protagonists, and live in those worlds.”
inZOI Early Access Launch and Online Showcase Livestream
Mark your calendars—inZOI will launch into Steam Early Access on March 28, 2025, at 00:00 UTC. A global release schedule map shared by the developers provides specific times for different regions.
Before the launch, players can tune in for an exclusive livestream showcase. Scheduled for March 19, 2025, at 01:00 UTC, the event will be broadcast live on inZOI’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. The stream will include key details on:
- Early access pricing
- DLC roadmap
- Development plans
- Answers to popular community questions
Alongside the announcements, the team has released a new teaser trailer on YouTube, giving fans a taste of what to expect from the game.
inZOI will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC at early access launch. No full release date has been announced yet.
Stay updated by visiting our official inZOI page for the latest news and developments.
