inZOI's Upcoming Karma System and Ghostly Encounters
inZOI's game director, Hyungjun Kim, recently revealed intriguing details about a planned Karma system that introduces a paranormal element to the game's realistic setting. This system will determine whether deceased Zois transition to the afterlife or remain as ghosts.
The Fate of Deceased Zois
According to Kim's February 7, 2025 Discord post, a Zoi's fate after death hinges on their accumulated Karma points. Sufficient karma ensures a peaceful transition to the afterlife, while those with insufficient points linger as ghosts until they atone for their actions by accumulating enough karma. The specific methods for restoring karma remain undisclosed.
A Balanced Approach to the Paranormal
Kim stressed the intention to keep ghost interactions limited to avoid overshadowing the core gameplay. In the Early Access version, interactions with ghost Zois will be confined to specific times and conditions, primarily through unique conversations.
Kim expressed a desire to explore more fantasy elements in the future, suggesting that occasional departures from the game's hyper-realistic foundation could enhance the overall experience.
Karma Interactions Unveiled
A glimpse into the Karma system was provided by MadMorph in an August 2024 sponsored video. The video showcased "Karma Interactions," a feature allowing Zois to perform actions that impact their karma score, both positively and negatively. Examples include less-than-savory actions like secretly farting on another Zoi, and more virtuous acts like disposing of trash or liking a friend's post.
While the Early Access release (March 28, 2025 on Steam) will focus on the living Zois, the Karma Interactions feature promises to significantly influence the gameplay experience in future updates.