inZOI patches child-collision bug

inZOI developers have addressed and resolved an alarming bug that enabled players to collide with children using vehicles. The latest patch eliminates this unintended feature. Continue reading to understand more about this controversial incident and the director's perspective on their hyper-realistic design approach.

Early Access Update Addresses Concerning Gameplay Element

Developer Commits to Strengthening Content Review Procedures

As Early Access continues revealing inZOI's gameplay elements, players discovered a disturbing mechanic enabling vehicular collisions with child characters. A March 28 Reddit post titled "I don't think Krafton realizes you can run over children in inZOI" showcased footage where a vehicle impact sent a child character ragdolling across significant distance, ultimately proving fatal.

While developers previously mentioned various character mortality methods during their showcase - including vehicular accidents - they never specified these mechanics applied to child characters. Krafton representatives confirmed to Eurogamer on March 28 that this represented an unintended bug, now resolved via patch.

Their official statement clarified: "These depictions are inappropriate and misrepresent inZOI's intended values. We recognize the seriousness of maintaining age-appropriate content and are implementing stricter internal review protocols to prevent recurrence." This correction aligns with inZOI's Teen ESRB rating, as retaining the bug risked necessitating stricter age classification.

Game Director Acknowledges Realism Constraints on Humor

Despite maintaining "Very Positive" Steam reviews praising its visual fidelity, Game Director Hyungjun 'Kjun' Kim admitted to PCGamesN on March 31 that their photorealistic approach presents creative limitations.

"We extensively debated this creative direction," Kjun explained. "With such graphical realism, we constantly evaluated appropriate boundaries. Attempts to integrate comedic elements often felt dissonant with our grounded aesthetic, which proved occasionally disappointing."

While acknowledging inspiration from The Sims 4's whimsical charm, Kjun noted inZOI's realistic style complicates implementing similar humor. However, he maintains confidence in their approach: "We believe this immersive visual quality creates meaningful player connections. Throughout development, we've felt tremendous pride and excitement bringing this world to life."

Though surpassing The Sims 4 technically, inZOI developers continue refining the game's unique identity within the life-simulation genre. For additional insights on inZOI's Early Access experience, explore our detailed coverage below.