InZOI developers reveal new features and changes for The Sims' rival

Krafton has announced a slew of exciting new features for InZOI, its highly anticipated social simulation game that aims to compete with The Sims franchise, which had its latest release with The Sims 4 in 2024. With InZOI's early access release drawing near, the team shared detailed updates on features inspired by community feedback.

Among the key highlights is the use of facial capture technology to create personalized face models. According to Hyungjun 'Kjun' Kim, the project director, the team is working on a tool that will allow facial expressions captured via smartphones to be directly transferred to the characters, known as "Zois." Although still in development, this feature draws inspiration from AI-assisted 3D printing technology used within the game.

InZOI Will Allow Players to Adopt Stray Animals

Another exciting update involves future interactions with animals, one of the most requested features by players. Players want to adopt stray animals they encounter in the city as pets. Kjun, a self-proclaimed animal lover, mentioned that the cats in InZOI were inspired by the strays he comes across during his evening walks. With this in mind, he confirmed that pet-related features are in the works. However, these features won't be available during the early access phase and are expected to be introduced in a future update.

In terms of construction, the team unveiled changes to the housing creation system. Initially, the plan was to allow for unlimited floors in buildings, but technical constraints led to a maximum limit of 30 floors per structure. It's still a pretty high cap, exceeding the height of many residential buildings in large cities.

Another noteworthy update is that Krafton is reworking the "fighting system" between Zois, aiming to make conflicts more dramatic and strategic. The slapping mechanic has been replaced with new moves and a system that determines the winner based on character stats. While the game won't feature a Street Fighter 6-style combat system, disagreements and conflicts are part of human nature, even if violence is never the answer.

Developers have also discussed the inclusion of gas stations on the game map. Although there is currently no functionality for refueling vehicles, the team plans to add convenience stores and restrooms to these locations. Finally, it was announced that the game will feature a comprehensive tutorial to help new players adapt to the various mechanics in InZOI. Krafton acknowledges that while experienced players may quickly get the hang of things, newcomers might need additional support to fully enjoy the game's features.

InZOI's early access, scheduled for March 28, promises to be a key milestone in the game's ongoing expansion, with updates planned to meet community expectations. If you're interested in what's shaping up to be one of the most immersive social games in the industry, keep an eye on our comparator for the best deals on InZOI when the game launches on Steam.