inZOI’s Karma System Allows for Literal Ghost Towns

In inZOI, cities can become eerily deserted if too many Zois die with poor karma. Learn more about inZOI's intriguing karma system and its upcoming early access release.

inZOI Cities Can Become Ghost Towns

A City's Fate Hinges on Zoi Karma

In inZOI, a city's prosperity is directly tied to the karma of its inhabitants. As inZOI Director Hyungjun Kim revealed in a recent PC Gamer Magazine interview, "Each Zoi action affects their karma. Upon death, a karma evaluation determines their fate. Low karma results in becoming a ghost, requiring karma redemption before rebirth."

A surplus of these ghostly Zois can have devastating consequences. Kim explained, "Too many ghosts prevent new Zois from being born, halting family creation. Players are responsible for managing their city's overall karma to avoid becoming a ghost town." This adds a compelling layer of strategic depth, requiring players to carefully consider the actions of their Zois.

Kim clarified the game's approach to morality: "The system doesn't simply reward 'good' actions and punish 'bad' ones. Life's complexities can't be reduced to simple binaries. Every life holds meaning and value." He emphasized that inZOI's karma system encourages players to explore diverse narratives and interpretations of life itself.

Respecting The Sims Legacy While Forging a New Path

inZOI is poised to be a significant contender in the life simulation genre, potentially the biggest challenge The Sims has faced in some time. However, Kim doesn't see inZOI as a direct competitor.

He stated, "We view inZOI not as competition, but as another option for fans of the genre." He expressed deep respect for The Sims legacy, acknowledging the immense challenge of creating such depth and complexity in a life simulation game. The sheer scope of "life" itself makes capturing every aspect incredibly difficult.

inZOI aims to differentiate itself through unique features. Kim highlighted, "inZOI offers players unparalleled freedom to shape their lives using realistic visuals (powered by Unreal Engine 5), deep customization, and AI-driven creative tools. We encourage players to explore these features, become the protagonists of their own stories, and truly live within those worlds."

Early Access Launch and Online Showcase

inZOI's early access launch date has been revealed: March 28, 2025, at 00:00 UTC on Steam. A worldwide release schedule is available on the official inZOI website.

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

inZOI launches into early access on Steam March 28, 2025, with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC versions planned. Specific release dates for consoles haven't been announced. Visit our inZOI page for the latest updates.