The Sims Rival inZOI Reveals SimCity-Like Features, Fixes Major Flaw
With The Sims 4 marking its tenth anniversary in 2024 and the upcoming Project Rene still shrouded in mystery, it’s no shock that new competitors are stepping in to fill the void. Among these challengers, including Paralives and Life By You, Korean-made inZOI from Krafton (of PUBG fame) takes a unique approach, blending realism with abstract elements. According to lead developer Kjun, the game has a deeper concept than it might first appear, heavily inspired by his love for the SimCity series.
As inZOI positions itself as a stylish newcomer aiming to rival EA’s longstanding life sim, one of its standout features is the added control over city management. In a recent interview with YouTube channel Middle-Aged Gamer Kim, Kjun revealed that your city exists in a miniaturized form on your desk, overseen by a fluffy, judgmental cat. “You get to become a god,” Kjun jokes, noting that every decision must first be approved by this feline overseer. Since initial previews, the team has scaled down the city size for better playability, but you’ll still have plenty of control. Players will be able to adjust everything from city decorations and weather to the cat population density and maybe even add zebras to the streets.
inZOI takes a page from SimCity and Cities Skylines, with large billboards that can display custom images or play YouTube videos you upload. Kjun, a longtime SimCity fan, says he wanted to create the “ultimate simulator” that fulfills all the creative desires he’s had over the years.
The team also unveiled a new city, Bliss Bay, inspired by Santa Monica, alongside the previously revealed Korean-style city, Dowon. Bliss Bay is a much more expansive area, meaning your Zois will likely need transportation to get around. Kjun also mentions that players can set the safety levels of different areas, but they won’t be pre-set to avoid stereotyping certain regions.
For longtime Sims fans, inZOI introduces some much-welcomed features. You’ll be able to freely stack items without cheats, which The Sims often restricts. While this might prevent interactions with certain objects, it offers more creative freedom for building enthusiasts. “There were so many things I wanted to do in The Sims,” Kjun says, “but they always made it very difficult.” He emphasizes that the goal of inZOI isn’t just to deliver a high-quality game but to give players the best possible creation tools.
The interview also dives into inZOI’s jobs system. So far, the eclectic career options include firefighter, K-pop star, convenience store worker, and kimbap chef, with Kjun hinting at more roles like game developer and veterinarian. Players will actually need to perform tasks at their workplace, making a full day in the game take about 40 minutes, compared to The Sims’ 24-minute days.
Conversations in inZOI will vary greatly depending on relationships. For example, you might ask your child about their homework or adjust their allowance. On the other hand, poor family dynamics could lead to characters deciding not to return home. Kjun also mentions that inZOI is working with Krafton’s AI division to enhance the realism of these interactions, although he remains tight-lipped about the specifics.
As we wait for more details about inZOI, now’s a good time to check out some of the best Sims alternatives on PC and other cozy games coming out in 2024.
