In its social media post announcing the PS5 release of inZOI, the studio has also said that the game might eventually make its way to Xbox Series X/S. However, far from being a done deal, inZOI Studio has noted that the Xbox version is currently “under consideration, but not yet confirmed.”

The announcement comes just days before inZOI is slated to get its big Island Getaway expansion on August 20. The expansion, themed around players going on a vacation, will introduce the island resort of Cahaya to the life sim. More details about Cahaya were revealed through an update to the inZOI official website earlier this month, including the fact that the resort is split into two distinct islands.

The larger of the two will serve as the main city for the expansion, while a smaller one off the coast of the larger one will be the Resort Island where Zois can go to relax after working hard in the main city. Some of the new activities that will be available in the game include ways to make money on the main island, such as by fishing, farming, and mining, as well as the ability for players to sell their wares with their own stands.

The Resort Island, on the other hand, will focus more on relaxation, with activities like swimming and snorkeling, riding a motorbike in the streets, visiting a cat-filled temple, and even just simply chilling out for a spa day at the resort itself.

The Island Getaway expansion will kick things off with an in-game event that invites players to “Make Your Own Cahaya”. The event, dubbed This is My Cahaya, involves players participating in the new activities coming to the game. The event is slated to kick off a few days before the launch of the expansion on August 15, and will end on August 24.

Director and producer Hyungjun Kim had revealed a few details about Cahaya back in June, and had spoken about the inspiration behind making the first major expansion for inZOI revolve around relaxation rather than more work.

“Cahaya is a city themed around ‘rest’,” explained Kim. “While developing inZOI has been a source of great joy for me, there are times when I feel the urge to get away from it all. Inspired by these feelings, I wanted to create a retreat for players exhausted by the motions of everyday life to unwind in.”

Kim also explained that the expansion won’t be bringing in complex career or education systems with it because those features wouldn’t mesh well with the relaxation-oriented themes of Island Getaway.

“As such, we’ve decided to exclude them from this city entirely,” he explained. “Players instead can enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle through activities such as farming or fishing. Improvements to the job system will be coming with the next city update.”

inZOI is currently available on PC. For more details, check out our review from launch. The expansion will also be playable at Gamescom.

https://bsky.app/profile/inzoi.bsky.social/post/3lwanmv3agk2g

The island resort of Cahaya is itself split into two distinct islands: a larger one serving as the main city, along with a smaller one off its coast, dubbed the Resort Island. The main island of Cahaya will feature a host of activities for players to partake in, including fishing, farming, and even mining for gems. Things that are found or created through these activities can also be sold at stands that players can set up anywhere on the main island.

The money that players can earn by selling things can then be spent at Resort Island, which features various ways for Zois to relax. Some of the activities there include swimming and snorkeling, riding around on a motorbike, visiting the cat-filled temple, and even simply relaxing at the resort with a massage, a spa day, or even some simple arcade games.

For players excited to relax in Cahaya, there is also a Me in Cahaya filter available on the game’s official website, where players can upload their own pictures to get an in-game interpretation of their pictures as if they were a Zoi enjoying a vacation in the resort town.

Along with all of these, the launch of the Island Getaway expansion will come with a new set of events that players can participate in. Headlining these events is the This is My Cahaya challenge, which will task players with “Making Your Own Cahaya”. The goal of the challenge is to encourage players to partake in some of the more relaxing experiences that the expansion will have to offer. The challenge is slated to go live on August 15, and will end on August 24.

Along with this, there will also be the Cahaya Summer Event, which includes the launch event for the expansion itself, as well as ways to watch the inZOI@Cahaya event, and various livestreams that players can watch to get their hands on exclusive cosmetic items.

The Island Getaway expansion will be coming to inZOI on August 20. Leading up to this, inZOI Studio has also previously confirmed that the upcoming Gamescom will feature the first real look players get at expansion, complete with playable hands-on demos where players can experience Cahaya for themselves.

“Cahaya is a city themed around ‘rest’,” explained producer and director Hungjun Kim. “While developing inZOI has been a source of great joy for me, there are times when I feel the urge to get away from it all. Inspired by these feelings, I wanted to create a retreat for players exhausted by the motions of everyday life to unwind in.”

inZOI is available on PC through Steam Early Access. For more details about the game, check out our review from when it launched.

After the Opening Night Live event, Krafton will also have an interactive booth at Gamescom from August 20 to August 24, where players can try out the new content making its way to inZOI with the release of the DLC thanks to hands-on demos. The publisher will also host on-site programs and events where participants can win gifts.

Details about the release of Cahaya were revealed back in June, with producer and director Hyungjun “Kjun” Kim confirming that it is slated for release to inZOI in August. The town of Cahaya, initially referred to as Kucingku, will bring with it plenty of vacation-themed activities for players to partake in.

“Cahaya is a city themed around ‘rest’,” explained Kim. “While developing inZOI has been a source of great joy for me, there are times when I feel the urge to get away from it all. Inspired by these feelings, I wanted to create a retreat for players exhausted by the motions of everyday life to unwind in.”

While there will be plenty of new content coming to inZOI with the update, Kim also noted that the studio made a conscious decision not to bring in some fan-requested features with the update. This includes features like improvements to the job system and schools. According to the director, this was because Cahaya was designed to be a place where players can go to relax, and as such, having jobs and schools didn’t fit in well with the themes of the expansion.

“As such, we’ve decided to exclude them from this city entirely,” he explained. “Players instead can enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle through activities such as farming or fishing. Improvements to the job system will be coming with the next city update.”

inZOI will be getting a few other improvements with the update, including improved emotional expressions systems that make the interactions between Zoi feel more natural. Through this, the relationships between Zoi will also get deeper.

inZOI has been getting quite a few updates since its Early Access release back in March. The most recent update to the game brought with it a host of new features, including the addition of children to the game.

inZOI is currently available for PC via Steam Early Access. For more details, check out our review.

Kim explained that the word means “light” and that the city will follow similar themes by offering players “a variety of vibrant and refreshing experiences across exotic islands.” Once the update goes live, players will be able to explore uninhabited islands, as well as partake in farming, boating, and generally relaxing.

“Cahaya is a city themed around ‘rest’,” explained Kim. “While developing inZOI has been a source of great joy for me, there are times when I feel the urge to get away from it all. Inspired by these feelings, I wanted to create a retreat for players exhausted by the motions of everyday life to unwind in.”

It is worth noting that while Cahaya is bringing with it a host of new content, the update will not be bringing in fan-requested features like improvements to the job system and schools. Kim explains that the decision was made because “Cahaya was designed as a resort-themed city, features like jobs and schools didn’t quite feel like the right fit.”

“As such, we’ve decided to exclude them from this city entirely,” the post continues. “Players instead can enjoy a self-sufficient lifestyle through activities such as farming or fishing. Improvements to the job system will be coming with the next city update.”

More details about the Cahaya update will be revealed during Gamescom, where we’ll also get to see the resort town in action. In the meantime, Kim has noted that the development team has been taking player feedback quite seriously.

As part of this, the Cahaya update will also be bringing with it improvements to the game’s emotional expressions system to make Zoi interacting with each other feel more natural while also adding depth to interactions and bringing improvements to the relationship system.

The most recent major update for inZOI brought with it new systems in the form of children. Since the release of the update, players could add children to their Zoi families in a variety of different ways, including through adoption, as well as by making use of the new “Create a Child with Medical Help” feature. The update also brought in improvements to the game’s relationship systems, including adding the ability to “send the first text” to kickstart a relationship.

Along with the addition of children to families, inZOI also got more than 200 new items added to the game through the inZOI Modkit. With these items, players now have more options to customise their Zoi and homes than ever before through new clothing and furniture.

inZOI is available on PC as an Early Access title on Steam. For more details, check out our review from back when it first launched.

The update also brings with it additions to the gameplay, including the ability for players to add a child into their family. This can be done either through adoption, a new Create a Child with Medical Help option, as well as options for non-marital births. Players can now also have their Zoi give each other gifts, initiate a new relationship with another Zoi by sending the first text, and even engage in teen romance between teenage Zois, complete with all the awkwardness and shyness you would expect.

Romance options in generally have been improved throughout the game, with new relationship-appropriate conversations and the option to have romantic relationships with everyone. Along with this, inZOI now also has cheats that players can use to spice up their time with the game.

For more details about the update, check out the full patch notes below. And in the meantime, check out our review of the launch version of inZOI.

inZOI version 0.2.0 patch notes:

■ ModKit

This update formally introduces the ModKit, allowing players to create and manage mods in inZOI. With this feature, Creators can now design custom outfits and furniture, and share them with the community. For more details on creating and using mods, visit the official website.

◽️ inZOI Mod Browser

　- The Mod Browser has been added to allow easier access to mods in-game. Players can manage mods using the Browser’s search, install, delete, and other features.

◽️ Wizard-Based Modding Features

　- A wizard-style UI has been added to streamline the mod creation process without the need for complex settings. Use this intuitive interface to create mods and access certain content (set outfits, objects, etc.) immediately. This feature supports the creation of set outfits as standalone items for character customization, as well as placeable in-game items like furniture and decorative objects.

◽️ Editing Data

　- Players can edit game data to add custom rules or features, including new prices, placement rules, and interactions.

◽️ Sharing and Distribution

　- Once created, mods can be shared with other players through CurseForge or extracted directly and added to the game manually.

◽️ Content and Sample Resources

Content and Sample Resources

　- Basic resources required to create mods will be provided. The Unreal assets included are based on actual in-game assets, making it easier for beginners to understand their structure. These assets can also be duplicated and used within the wizard tool.

　- FBX files will be provided to allow assets to be edited with third-party tools. Sample mods will also be included to make the structure of these assets easier to understand. These samples cover features ranging from Create a Zoi (CAZ) and building to editing data.

◽️ DCC Plugins

　- Plugins for Maya and Blender are now supported. These come with tools and guidelines to help Creators make their own custom outfits for inZOI.

◽️ Comprehensive Guide

　- A comprehensive guide on using the ModKit will be provided, containing instructions and tips for using these tools, creating content, and distributing mods, all in one place.

■ Character

◽️ 29 new items have been added.

　- Hair: 5 items

　- Tops: 4 items

　- Bottoms: 3 items

　- Outerwear: 1 item

　- Sets: 3 items

　- Shoes: 3 items

　- Socks and Stockings: 9 items

　- Accessories: 1 item

Improvements have been made to certain features in the Character Studio, making them more precise.

◽️ New Features

　- Edit Accessory Position: Allows free placement

　- Authors for Zoi Presets will always be displayed

　- Authors for My Textures downloaded from Canvas will be displayed in a tooltip

　- Traits and Desired Lives can now be randomly selected when creating a Zoi

■ Building

Updates have been made to expand furniture categories that were previously limited in options.

◽️ 175 new items added.

　- Bedroom: 14 items

　- Living Room: 5 items

　- Home Office: 4 items

　- Kitchen: 52 items

　- Bathroom: 2 item

　- Common: 76 items

　- Outdoors: 2 items

　- Doors: 20 items

Updates and improvements to the building system have also been made to make building more convenient.

◽️ Building Shortcuts

　- Building shortcuts will make the building process faster and more conveniently.

Supported shortcuts will include Delete Tool (K), Edit Color and Material (Ctrl + R), Put in Inventory (B), and Move House (H).

◽️ Auto Save

　- A feature has been added that automatically loads unsaved changes while making edits in Build Mode as a property preset if the game shuts down unexpectedly.

◽️ Improvements to Gizmo Usability

　- The position and shape of the roof gizmo have been adjusted to make editing eaves more intuitive.

◽️ Improvements to Editing Roofing and Shadow-Casting Lighting

– Lights can now be placed on ceilings and under rooms above the first floor.

　- A new icon has been added in Build Mode that allows you to easily check settings for shadow-casting lighting.

◽️ Quality-of-Life Improvements to Camera Modes

　- When switching from Free Camera to Top View/Shoulder View, the viewpoint will now be adjusted automatically to prevent walls or objects from obstructing the view.

　- The camera now defaults to the nearest floor level if there are no ceilings near its position, and can center its movement around a selected object. Additionally, camera rotation has been improved to move more naturally around its axis.

◽️ Improvements to Wall View

　- Wall-mounted objects (such as picture frames) will no longer remain visible when toggling between Wall View modes.

■ Gameplay

More Ways to Build Families and Relationships

Zois can build families and express their emotions in more varied and flexible ways. Added features like adoption, non-marital childbirth, teen romance, and new text interactions make relationships richer and more realistic.

New Features

◽️ Adopt a Child

　- With this update, Zois can now welcome a child into their family without using the Make a Baby interaction through adoption. To use this feature, go to your computer or laptop to access the Adopt a Child menu. As long as they meet the age and property requirements, anybody can bring a new member into their family!

◽️ Create a Child with Medical Help

　- You can now use the Create a Child with Medical Help interaction on a computer or laptop to have a child with the help of science. The procedure costs 1,000 Mew, and the child will have your Zoi’s genetic traits. You can also choose to partner up with another Zoi for this procedure, resulting in a child that reflects both Zois’ traits.

◽️ Non-Marital Birth

　- To promote even more diverse kinds of families, Zois can now give birth without getting married.

◽️ Teenage Romance

　- Teenager Zois can now enter romantic relationships. Look forward to shy conversations, sweet first dates, and awkwardly adorable interactions. Random choice card events, like receiving an anonymous love confession, may also occur. After school, you might even get the chance to unmask your secret admirer!

◽️ Exchanging Gifts

　- Zois can now exchange items with each other. Depending on a Zoi’s personality and preferences, the same gift may be received in different ways. A variety of new giftable items are available on Pocket Market, and you can even withdraw cash from an ATM to gift money directly.

◽️ Visits from Other Zois

　- Other Zois in the city can now make the first move to meet your Zoi. They might make plans for a meetup via text, or even show up unannounced at your doorstep. Be it longing, insecurity, or a simple whim of the heart, their reasons for visiting may vary. Whether the meeting ends with a heartwarming moment or a bittersweet goodbye depends entirely on how your Zoi responds.

◽️ Sending the First Text

　- You can now initiate a conversation by sending a text to any Zoi by using the Contacts app on your smartphone (P).

Responses will vary depending on the relationship between the two Zois and the recipient’s current emotional state. On a good day, you might get a friendly reply… but if the other Zoi is in a bad mood, expect the unexpected!

Improved Features

◽️ Romantic Relationships with Everyone!

　- New settings have been added that allow Zois to express their gender identity and romantic attraction more freely. These settings can also now be adjusted at any time. Zois who align with your identity and romantic attraction will also appear in the overworld, setting the stage for potential relationships.

◽️ Relationship-Appropriate Conversations

　- When player Zois reach a certain level in their relationship, their conversations will change to better reflect that dynamic. For example, if a relationship between two Zois progresses from Mutual Crush to Sweetheart, the tone of their dynamic will become positive, increasing the likelihood of positive conversations between them.

◽️ UI Improvements Related to Romantic Relationships

　- In response to player feedback, the message “You’re getting to know each other as romantic interests” will no longer appear. The romantic relationship gauge for Zois will now only be displayed in the Relationships menu after at least one romantic conversation has occurred.

Improvements and Updates to Simulations

Core systems that determine a Zoi’s pace of life have been rebalanced. These include changes in body weight and physique, aging, starting funds, and prison systems. From play and parenting to interactions and NPC behavior, in-game simulations have been polished to feel more realistic and organic.

New Features

◽️ Changes to Body Weight and Muscle Mass

　- Zois will now undergo changes in physique based on their lifestyle choices. Working out will cause Zois to build muscle, while overeating will cause them to gain weight. As their Fitness level increases, Zois become more resistant to aches and fatigue, allowing them to endure longer or more intense physical activity with ease.

◽️ New Swing and Hula Hoop Interactions Added

　- Swings and hula hoops can be used by Zois who are Children or older. Interacting with these items will improve a Zoi’s Fitness skill.

◽️ Time Skip Feature for Rabbit Hole Interactions

◽️ 8 New Pocket Market Items Added

　- Four new item categories have been added to Pocket Market: Luxury, Practical, Charming, and Silly. Gifts purchased from Pocket Market can be given to or exchanged with other Zois.

◽️ 5 New Donuts Added

　- The Poison Donut, Charming Donut, Flirty Donut, Diet Donut, and High-Calorie Donut have been added.

Improved Features

◽️ Improvements to Prison System

　- Several changes have been made to simulate a more realistic prison experience. Vending machines have been removed, and meals are now only available during set meal times. Lifers will appear, casual conversations are prohibited, beds are less comfortable, and overall needs are more difficult to fulfill within prison.

※ These changes will only be available after starting a new game.

◽️ Improvements to Starting and Move-In Funds

　- Adjustments have been made to help players start their journey as homeowners more easily while giving them a sense of progression. The furniture initially provided has also been rebalanced, setting the stage for a humble beginning while leaving room to grow.

　- Welfare support can now only be claimed once. Families residing in the city are now able to find jobs and support themselves financially.

※ These changes will only be available after starting a new game.

◽️ Improvements to Age Progression

　- In response to player feedback, Zois will now spend less time as Middle-Aged Zois, with the Young Adult stage being significantly extended. The time Zois spend as Infants, Teenagers, and all age groups in-between has also been extended, allowing players to enjoy more of their childhood and adolescence.

◽️Improvements to Fixed Schedules

　- Schedules will no longer be auto-generated for player Zois.

◽️ Improvements to Universal Text Notifications

　- Zois can now receive text advisories related to severe weather conditions, such as heat waves or extreme cold.

◽️ Improvements to Interactions Related to Newborns and Children

　- New interactions such as Laugh, Cry, and Change Diaper have been added. Newborns can now gain emotion buffs or wake nearby Zois according to their needs.

◽️ Improvements to Idle Family Options

　- Aging for idle families has been disabled by default. Players can toggle this setting manually. Additional improvements have been made to idle family narratives and maximum capacity.

◽️Improvements to Basic Info Display

　- Hovering your cursor over a Zoi will now display their age group, marital status, and the number of days left until they reach their next age group.

◽️ Age restrictions have been added for NPC pregnancies to prevent unintended pregnancies

◽️ Improvements to Object Interactions

　- New interactions have been added, including Write Entry in Plant Observation Journal and Shower While Humming. Features related to certain objects, such as yoga mats and pots, have also been improved for smoother interaction.

◽️ Zois with Autonomy enabled will no longer remain idle without performing any actions

◽️ Improvements to Street Encounters

　- New interactions have been added that allow Zois to look at, greet, or react to objects and other Zois on the street. Systems for avoiding pedestrians and traffic, as well as proactive NPC reactions have also been implemented.

◽️ Fixed an issue where relationships would reset immediately after marriage, triggering negative interactions

　- Fixed an issue where romantic relationships reset after marriage. A portion of the existing relationship now carries over into the family relationship score to better reflect the bond built before marriage.

◽️ Fixed an issue where moving certain Zois into new homes caused their previous family relationships to reset

◽️ A system message will now appear when an object cannot be used.

◽️ When using the Read Book interaction at a bookshelf, Zois will now prioritize selecting nearby books that have been taken out of the shelf.

Animations/Audio

Updates have been made to animations, enhancing immersion and making them feel more natural.

Motions have been polished for better quality. Changes have been made to the position of microphones held by rappers, exaggerated emotional expressions have been toned down, and repetitive idle motions have been refined. The locomotion system has also been improved to feel smoother.

Characters now tilt naturally when making turns and use a Look-at feature to face their direction of movement for enhanced realism.

Additionally, Zois will make better eye contact with each other and interact more believably with objects, further enhancing immersion.

◽️(Animation) Fixed awkward animations that occurred during certain interactions

◽️(Animation) Improved animation quality for Cooking interactions to enhance immersion

◽️(Audio) Added Background Audio options in the Sound menu

◽️(Audio) Updated footsteps to reflect terrain

◽️(Audio) Added and refined sound effects to improve overall game immersion

◽️(Audio) Improved audio to prevent background music from overlapping with event-specific sounds

■ inZOI Cheats

Cheats have been added to the game, letting you expand your creative horizons regardless of whether you’re just starting out or already creating. You can bring your own unique situations to life by controlling various factors, including Zoi emotions, relationships, currency, movement, and environments.

◽️ Cheats can be accessed from the Psycat Guide by using Enable Cheats feature. A detailed list of all available cheats can be found on the official website.

■ Canvas

◽️Creations can now be set to Private (up to 10 creations allowed)

◽️Added pages that organize and display creator content by category.

◽️Added notification settings for Canvas interactions

◽️Updated and added various icons, including the Like and Heart buttons

■ UI/UX

◽️ Added a setting that allows players to choose from three UI size options: Small (default, 100%), Medium (112%), and Large (125%)

◽️ Updated choice cards to display profile images for both the sender and the receiver

■ Bug and Crash Fixes

◽️ Gameplay

　- Fixed an issue where your Zoi’s current outfit failed to update accordingly when using City Appearance to change the weather

　- Fixed an issue where the Desired Life section in the Zoi Card did not immediately update after selecting Life of Self-Discovery

　- Fixed an issue where babies in idle families failed to load properly after their families moved house

　- Fixed an issue where Aging settings were not applied to newly created Zois

　- Fixed an issue where the main relationship status did not update correctly after a failed divorce attempt followed by another relationship selection

　- Fixed an issue where the same interaction appeared differently on desktops and laptops

　- Fixed an issue where the Announce Divorce interaction did not appear for children unaware of their parents’ divorce

　- Fixed an issue where visual effects related to likes and dislikes failed to display correctly during interactions related to the Washing Cars preference

◽️ Career Interactions

　- Adjusted the Junior Lawyer’s salary

　- Fixed an issue where some job-exclusive interactions failed to display job-related tags during workplace-related schedule events

◽️ Simulations

　- Fixed an issue related to the Make Food interaction

　- Fixed an issue where most interactions (such as Pick Up or Organize) were unavailable for certain crops, such as potatoes and corn.

◽️ Characters

　- Fixed an issue where eyebrows and beards were displayed incorrectly on Zois who are Middle-Aged or older

　- Fixed an issue where certain actions caused the chin gizmo to be positioned too far from a Zoi’s chin in Detailed Editing

◽️ Building

　- Fixed an issue where certain grids on the first floor restricted movement on upper floors when creating buildings with two or more stories

　- Fixed an issue where Zois were unable to use stairs installed in rooms with elevated platforms

　- Fixed an issue where entering Build Mode while in the Hangyeol House property and returning to the game made doors unusable

　- Fixed an issue where exiting Build Mode after applying a basic property preset occasionally caused the game to crash

　- Fixed an issue where closing the UI while loading a My Texture caused the texture icon to appear white

　- Fixed an issue where deleting meshes of items created using the 3D Printer left behind ghost entries in the list

　- Fixed an issue where certain furniture filters were categorized incorrectly

　- Fixed an issue where applying a My Texture to a stair wall caused parts of the texture to appear incorrectly

　- Fixed an issue where, after changing a stair’s appearance, the Material list in the Color and Material menu failed to update to match the new appearance

◽️ UI/UX

　- Fixed an issue with the Edit Family Tree menu

　- Fixed an issue where performing certain actions would cause the in-game UI to disappear

◽️ Canvas

　- Fixed an Error Code: GREEN issue that prevented players from signing in to Canvas

◽️ Miscellaneous

　- Fixed typos and inaccurate descriptions

◽️ Crashes

　- Fixed an issue that caused occasional crashes when entering the game or selecting a property

　- Action for GPU crashes that may occur under certain conditions

We have improved the system so that when using a GPU of NVIDIA RTX 40 series (Ada Lovelace architecture) or higher and the “Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling” feature is turned off, a crash may intermittently occur and a pop-up guide will now appear prompting the user to enable the feature.

To kick things off, the letter discusses reviewing feedback and frequently reported issues. This includes various aspects of inZOI, such as build stability, awkward emotional expressions, and the Karma system lacking real depth. Kjun thanked players for the feedback and mentioned the positive response to changes in the in-game emotions.

Moving on, the May update, according to the letter, will bring with it modding features for inZOI. While players can’t use the modding tools to create entirely new gameplay systems just yet, the tools will allow players to modify in-game data. There will also be official plug-ins for 3D modelling software like Blender and Maya, allowing players to make custom furniture and clothing using more professional tools. Modders can also work with assets like textures, meshes, FX, and MetaSounds via plug-ins with tutorials planned.

Mod support for inZOI will be an ongoing thing worked on at inZOI Studio. More core features are planned for the modding system, with the studio aiming for it to be feature-complete by December.

With future updates, inZOI will also be getting new gameplay features, including small vehicles like motorcycles. Vehicle customisation is also a priority for the studio. According to the letter, these new features will help players match the vibes of the smaller new city, which offers a cosier setting for players.

“Since these will build upon our existing vehicle systems, some animations may seem slightly awkward at first,” wrote Kjun. “However, we believe this will allow players to experience the thrill of weaving through the city on a smaller ride, enhancing both the storytelling and atmosphere aspects.”

Kjun has also confirmed that the studio is currently working on adding crime-related content to inZOI to give more depth to the Karma system. Through the new content, players will see Zois getting caught for crimes and sent to jail. This, in turn, will create additional events as well. “Our goal is to create deeper gameplay experiences where Karma-based interactions lead to logical, connected outcomes,” explains Kjun.

inZOI launched as an Early Access title on PC back in March. Since then, the game has been quite successful in offering an alternative to The Sims 4. The first week of the game was quite successful with more than one million copies sold. For more details, check out our review.

inZOI is a life simulator akin to The Sims, where players create a Zoi (or several) with different occupations and desires. They’re then let loose in a virtual city to live, interacting with dozens of other Zois. You can forge friendships, hold parties, take on various jobs, customize your living space, and more.

Check out our early access impressions of inZOI here. It will remain in Steam Early Access for a year and receive bi-monthly content updates. However, in the “spirit of early access,” the developer will deploy hotfixes through April to address various issues.

“These short-term updates are smaller in scale compared to major updates, but we expect that rolling out content faster and incorporating feedback more promptly will have a more positive effect on your gameplay experience.”

Further hotfixes will address critical issues when identified. While the first content update has yet to be detailed, the developer confirmed new cities, more content and additional customization options throughout early access. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

Alongside the main game’s Early Access release, inZOI: Creative Studio has been taken offline. While players can no longer try out some of the customisation features showcased by inZOI: Creative Studio, those that got to play around with it can carry over their Zois and designs into the main game.

Since its launch, inZOI has been received quite positively by players on Steam. At the time of writing, the game features 2,711 user reviews, with the overall aggregate sitting at Very Positive.

The studio has revealed that it opted for an Early Access release for inZOI because it wanted to engage the community while iterating on the development of its first life sim.

“With very few direct templates for this type of game in our industry, we believe launching inZOI in Early Access will allow players to experience the game early and provide valuable feedback to help us guide our development,” wrote the studio. “This collaborative process enables us not only to refine our game but also to prioritize the features that resonate most with our community.”

At launch, inZOI includes most of the foundational systems that will further help power new features that will be added down the line. This includes character customisation, two explorable cities, and the ability for players to have their Zois take on jobs and build relationships.

Through further development, the studio wants to add more elements to inZOI, including deeper gameplay and improvements to the interaction system. There are also plans for improving the game’s driving mechanics, as well as its dynamic event system. According to the press release, the studio will also be adding more content throughout the game’s time in Early Access, including new cities, as well as mod support. The studio has also confirmed that, once inZOI leaves Early Access, its price will go up.

“Prioritizing which features to develop first is critical, and we believe open communication with players is the best way to achieve this,” wrote the studio. “This approach embodies the essence of Early Access and will be vital in helping us create the best possible version of inZOI.”

Producer and director Hyungjun Kim also spoke about the journey the inZOI Studio went through during the development of the game. In a press release, Kim likens inZOI to his own child, stating that he feels both pride as well as anxiety now that it is finally in the hands of more players.

“I created and nurtured inZOI with great care as if it were my child, though it still has a lot of room for improvement,” said Kim in the press release. “As inZOI takes its first steps into the world, I feel both proud and somewhat anxious – hoping it won’t stumble or get hurt. It would be deeply appreciated if you could watch over the game with warmth and support.”

In case you’re curious about whether your system can handle inZOI, check out the hardware requirements that were revealed earlier this month. In the meantime, you can also check out our review of the current state of the game while you’re at it.

Got a job with a development studio, Blue Moon Soft. The interview process consisted of rigorously pushing a button on my smartphone and automatically getting in. Slept early, woke up early, and spent a significant portion of the morning preparing…only for my ZOI to just disappear off-screen for work. At least I could delegate tasks from the little sidebar icon and take control of my roommate.

"The bigger macro goals of your ZOIs eventually need defining, whether that’s venturing into school or taking a job to pay the bills."

Saying that inZOI is surreal would be an understatement and not because of completely intentional happenings. It’s one thing to see my ZOI converse with another by standing up and then sitting back down. Or speak to the back of their head while behind them. Or read a book in front of the computer as opposed to the balcony or spacious living room.

That’s not even getting into that one day of irritable bowels, which required visiting the bathroom every hour upon the hour (perhaps due to the diseases that can be suffered from). Or the conversation my two ZOIs had over the phone, which highlights the nearly impenetrable inanity of the AI potentially powering their interactions.

Yet as a Sims-like, it is a fascinating experience, even in early access. When starting, you have a choice of multiple different personality types for your ZOIs. Becoming an Adventurous individual means constantly being curious about things and venturing to experience them. A more Authority-like figure will try for more control and become annoyed for longer if things don’t work out. And so on among the numerous other available types. There’s also the ridiculously in-depth character creator, allowing one to finely sculpt their ZOI in multitudes of different ways and clothing styles.

After selecting a city and property to stay in, you have to manage the ZOIs’ different Urges, which randomly pop up. These are meant to drive your character to do new things and maybe get out there to interact with the wider world of NPCs, each with their own families and lives. For example, becoming filled with a certain emotion might encourage you to seek out another person and share those thoughts with them. It may lead to awkward reactions, but at least you get some MeowCoins in return (all for the fluffy overlord that serves as the game’s mascot).

You can ignore these tasks, of course, opting not to look under the vending machine or disinfect the bedding. The bigger macro goals of your ZOIs eventually need defining, whether that’s venturing into school or taking a job to pay the bills. This isn’t to say that you can’t meander about the park, randomly criticizing people for giving you stares, or the beach and taking in the admittedly somber scene. But if real life is any indicator, the money will run out eventually, so some kind of plan is appreciated, especially one that fits your schedule of hanging out and winging it.

"I’m not too keen on the generative AI used to create textures based on prompts, and not because they take time while offering meager results without much room for customization. "

If you’re the kind of person to leave the ZOIs to their own devices and expect all kinds of chaos to unfold, then I’m not sure inZOI is quite at that level yet. There’s some appeal to gazing through the microscope, fascinated by the lives of the ZOIs as they go about their business, building different bonds, working and otherwise.

Yet outside of going to coffee shops, the park, art galleries and whatnot, the amount of activities felt a bit sobering. Even hosting a party where my ZOI displayed their awful singing felt admittedly muted, in no small part due to their propensity to cling to their roommate even when the option “Greet the guests” had been selected.

Granted, after several hours with an early playtest, it seemed like I had only just begun to understand the underlying systems. A quick look at the map and the Families tab highlighted how extensive those lives can be.

However, as intriguing as these stories felt, they didn’t manifest in as many interesting ways as I would have hoped. I know, I know – it’s analogous to real-life and I have to really get out there and interact with it rather than waiting for things to happen. Creating multiple ZOIs might solve that problem, as flipping over and controlling my roommate as she went about her day was a refreshing feeling.

inZOI also offers extensive customization for living spaces. With the Creative Studio, you can select different templates for houses and modify them to your heart’s content. Knock down walls, make them glassy and see-through, adjust tile types and colors – it’s all here. I’m not too keen on the generative AI used to create textures based on prompts, and not because they take time while offering meager results without much room for customization.

But you can ignore it and arguably obtain better results. All these options carry over in-game, which means you can knock down walls, rotate them in ways that don’t make sense and make the space your own.

"Limited as it currently seems on the surface, there’s definitely something about venturing out into the world and speaking with other NPCs, getting to know them and seeing what develops."

On that note, it’s worth discussing inZOI‘s performance. I ran it in mostly High settings in DLSS Quality Mode, tweaking a few other things to ensure a better frame rate. The playtest initially had several frame drops and stuttering alongside at least one crash. Things improved with a subsequent patch, and after transferring over to the early access build, there were significant improvements.

However, even passing vehicles just a few meters away had pop-in issues and lower image quality. Your mileage may vary and things will likely improve over time (if the playtest’s updates are any indication). If you want the full range of graphical fidelity, you’ll need some serious hardware.

Even with its idiosyncrasies and odd occurrences, inZOI is still worth keeping an eye on. Limited as it currently seems on the surface, there’s definitely something about venturing out into the world and speaking with other NPCs, getting to know them and seeing what develops. The hustle and bustle of life, from its socializing and climbing the work ladder, may not be to everyone’s taste, and on the opposite end, the sheer depth of content in The Sims definitely dwarfs it.

However, inZOI offers a robust set of features on its own and a relatively solid foundation to build off, one that will hopefully see its various gaffes addressed.

To get access to inZOI: Creative Studio, players will have to get their hands on a key that is being distributed through various events. These events include getting a key through watching streams on Twitch, Steam, or SCOOP.

To be eligible for a drop, players will have to link their Krafton account to the appropriate website and watch a stream for a set amount of time. On Twitch, players will also have to add inZOI to their Steam wishlist, before watching a stream of the game for 15 minutes. on Steam and SCOOP, viewers will have to watch for at least 30 minutes to get access to inZOI: Creative Studio.

These events will only be available until March 22, after which inZOI: Creative Studio will be available for free for anyone that might want to give it a shot.

inZOI is an upcoming life sim in the vein of classic franchise The Sims. The game will allow players to live out their chill life in a South Korean city. Krafton had released a trailer for the title earlier this month that showcased what a day in inZOI‘s fictional city of Dowon would look like.

Rather than featuring a narrator explaining the features, the trailer instead focuses on showcasing Dowon city’s vibes. It features a player character taking a trip through the city, experiencing its sights and sounds in various scenarios.

The trailer also gives us a glimpse of the changing seasons in the city. Opening up in Spring, the weather starts changing later in the day with heavy rainfalls causing a dreary atmosphere. The NPCs around the player character also react to this change in weather naturally, opening up their umbrellas as they go about their daily lives.

inZOI will be coming to PC as an Early Access game on March 28. Krafton has revealed the kind of hardware that players will need to play the title. Going by the stated hardware, inZOI also seems to be a highly scalable game, with lower-specced PCs needing less storage compared to those playing the game with higher graphics settings.

“As mentioned earlier, inZOI delivers high-quality graphics and realistic city-level simulations, which require higher system specifications,” wrote Krafton about the game’s technical requirements. “While these requirements ensure the best possible gameplay experience, we remain committed to making inZOI accessible to more players.”

For more details about inZOI, here is everything you need to know about the upcoming life sim.