Skip to main content

inZOI Autonomy & Free Will Explained

Autonomy, also referred to as "Free Will" in some contexts within the game, is a fundamental system in inZOI that dictates whether your Zois will act independently or rely solely on your commands. Understanding how to manage autonomy is key to controlling the flow of gameplay and directing your Zois' lives.

What is Autonomy / Free Will?​

Autonomy is the feature that allows Zois to make decisions and perform actions on their own without direct player input. When autonomy is enabled, Zois will attempt to:

  • Fulfill Needs: They will seek out food when hungry, sleep when tired, use the bathroom, and try to maintain their hygiene and fun levels.
  • Follow Urges: They may pursue short-term goals or desires (Urges) based on their personality and current state.
  • Engage in Activities: They might autonomously decide to read, watch TV, interact with objects, or socialize with other Zois nearby.
  • Go to Work/School: Zois with enabled autonomy will generally head to their scheduled job or school automatically when the time comes.
  • Perform Job Tasks (Active Jobs): In active careers, Zois with autonomy on will attempt to complete their assigned tasks, although their success might be balanced against fulfilling pressing needs.

Essentially, autonomy allows the simulation to run more dynamically, with Zois behaving more like independent entities rather than just puppets awaiting commands.

How to Toggle inZOI Autonomy (Free Will) On/Of

How to Toggle Autonomy (Free Will) On/Off​

You have direct control over whether an individual Zoi acts autonomously.

  1. Using the Keyboard: Select the Zoi you want to control. Press the [T] key on your keyboard to toggle their autonomy on or off.
  2. Using the UI: Select the Zoi. Look at the UI panel at the bottom of the screen, near the Needs display. There is a small toggle button (often depicted with an eye or related symbol) that controls autonomy. Click this button to switch it.

Visual Indicator: The Cat's Eye​

You can quickly see a Zoi's current autonomy status by looking at the symbol above their head when they are selected:

  • White Open Eye: Autonomy is ON. The Zoi will act independently.
  • Orange Closed Eye: Autonomy is OFF. The Zoi will only perform actions you queue up.

Scope: Individual Control​

It's important to note that autonomy is toggled per Zoi. Turning it off for one Zoi does not affect the others in the household. Currently, there isn't a confirmed global toggle for the entire household or city (though an option exists in the settings, its functionality in Early Access might be inconsistent).

When Should You Turn Autonomy Off?​

While leaving autonomy on creates a more hands-off simulation, there are several reasons why you might want to disable it temporarily for one or more Zois:

  • Micromanagement: If you want precise control over a Zoi's actions for storytelling, achieving specific goals quickly, or managing a complex situation (like a party or emergency).
  • Preventing Unwanted Actions: Sometimes, autonomous Zois might cancel important queued actions (like work tasks or skill-building) to fulfill a less critical need. Turning autonomy off ensures they stick to your plan.
  • Skill Grinding/Task Focus: To ensure a Zoi dedicates uninterrupted time to leveling a skill or completing work/school tasks efficiently.
  • Photo/Video Opportunities: To keep Zois perfectly still or in specific positions while using Photo Mode.
  • Specific Scenarios: In darker gameplay scenarios, players might turn off autonomy to position a Zoi for an "accident" (e.g., standing in the road for a potential car hit scenario, though this is an advanced/unintended use).

Consequences of Disabling Autonomy​

Crucially, when autonomy is turned OFF, Zois will not take care of their own needs.

  • They will not eat when hungry, sleep when tired, or use the bathroom unless you explicitly command them to do so.
  • This requires diligent monitoring from the player. Forgetting to manage the needs of a Zoi with autonomy off can lead to extreme discomfort, negative moods, and eventually, death from neglect (Starvation, Sleep Deprivation).

Use the autonomy toggle strategically. Turn it off when you need direct control, but remember to turn it back on or diligently manage your Zois' needs manually to ensure their survival and well-being. The interplay between player direction and Zoi autonomy is central to the inZOI experience.