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Zois: inZOI Characters Explained

Zois (singular: Zoi) are the virtual inhabitants of the world in the life simulation game inZOI. Developed by Krafton, these characters are central to the gameplay experience, allowing players to create, customize, and guide their virtual lives with a high degree of realism and detail. Players take on the role of a "Creator" or an intern at the fictional AR Company, managing the lives and stories of their Zois.

Creating and Customizing Zois

Creating and Customizing Zois​

Players bring Zois to life using the Create-a-Zoi (CAZ) tool, which offers extensive customization options. Many players first experienced these powerful tools in the pre-release Creative Studio Demo. These include:

  • Appearance: Build Zois with photorealistic detail. Adjust facial features, body types (including sliders for muscle and weight, though height is currently fixed per age/gender), hairstyles, skin tones, makeup, tattoos, and piercings.
  • Clothing: Choose from a wide range of outfits, customize colors and patterns, and even apply AI-generated textures or craft unique clothing items.
  • Identity: Define name, age group (Child to Senior available in CAZ, Newborn/Toddler/Adolescent through gameplay), and gender. Gender identity and romantic preferences can also be customized.
  • Personality: Shape their core nature through:
    • Traits: Select one permanent trait from 18 options (e.g., Scholar, Adventurer, Leader) that heavily influences behavior and needs.
    • Desired Life: Choose an optional life goal (16 options like Life of Abundance, Life of Creativity) guiding ambitions and skills (Young Adult+).
    • Values: Zois develop core principles (10 types like Authority, Safety, Love) based on traits, desired life, and life experiences, affecting interactions.
    • Preferences: Assign up to 10 likes and dislikes across various categories (food, hobbies, activities) influencing mood and autonomy.

Important Note: While many aspects like clothing, Desired Life, and Preferences can be changed later (e.g., via a mirror or Zoi Card), core elements like Traits, name, age group, gender, and detailed body/facial structure become permanent after the initial creation.

Zois Gameplay Mechanics

Living the Zoi Life: Gameplay Mechanics​

Managing a Zoi involves navigating a complex simulation:

  • Needs: Balance 8 essential needs (Hunger, Sleep, Hygiene, Bathroom, Fun, Social, Recognition, Energy). Neglecting needs impacts mood and can lead to death.
  • Skills: Develop up to 16 skills (e.g., Cooking, Art, Programming) through practice, unlocking interactions and income opportunities.
  • Careers: Pursue diverse career paths, including unique city-specific jobs. Choose between Active Jobs (requiring task completion at the workplace) and Rabbit Hole Jobs.
  • Relationships: Form complex bonds (Family, Romance, Friendship, Business) with other Zois. Relationship levels unlock new interactions and impact social dynamics.
  • Ambitions: Fulfill long-term goals by completing multi-level tasks.
  • Life Stages: Progress through 9 distinct life stages, each bringing new abilities and challenges. Aging can be modified in game settings.
  • Emotions/Moods: Experience a wide range of emotions influenced by needs, traits, events, and interactions. Moods affect skill gain and behavior.
  • Urges: Respond to short-term desires based on the Zoi's personality, earning Meow Coins for completion.
  • Karma: Actions influence a Zoi's moral standing, affecting interactions, luck, and potential afterlife (good karma leads to passing on, bad karma can result in becoming a ghost).

Smart Zoi Technology​

inZOI features an optional, experimental Smart Zoi system. This AI-driven feature aims to make Zois more autonomous and lifelike:

  • Independent Behavior: Smart Zois react more realistically to their surroundings and pursue goals based on their personality.
  • Inner Thoughts: Players can view explanations for a Smart Zoi's actions.
  • Personality Development: Smart Zois learn and evolve based on their experiences.
  • Customization: Players can provide text input to further shape a Smart Zoi's personality.
  • Resource Intensive: Requires higher system specifications to run smoothly.

Managing Your Zois​

Players interact with and manage their Zois through various methods:

  • Direct Control: Use WASD keys for third-person movement.
  • Point-and-Click: Use the mouse to direct Zois to locations or objects.
  • Switching Control: Cycle through household members using Spacebar or the Family List, or click on any Zoi (even outside the household) and select the play icon to take control.
  • Household Management: Use the Edit City (M) menu to manage families, including splitting and merging households.
  • Autonomy (Free Will): Toggle (T) whether Zois perform actions independently to fulfill needs or pursue goals.

Zois are the heart of the inZOI experience, offering players a canvas to create diverse characters and explore countless life stories within a visually stunning and deeply simulated world.