Over 98% of Players Have Left inZOI, Here’s Why

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The life simulation game inZOI, currently in Early Access, met with a mixed reception from players. While praised for its technical ambition, the game has also received criticism for its lack of depth and cohesion, leading many to feel it’s not yet a proper game. This is reflected in its player count, which has dropped by over 98% since peaking with 87,377 players in March to a daily average of only 1,500 on Steam.

Developed on Unreal Engine 5, inZOI offers a remarkably detailed character creator with extensive customization options, including the ability to use AI and custom images for clothing textures. The build and buy mode is equally impressive, providing granular control over object placement and textures. This visual fidelity is complemented by a truly open world that allows characters to travel around a city without any loading screens.

The developers are also using on-device generative AI to create more realistic and reactive characters or Zois. This feature aims to give characters a greater sense of autonomy, with their actions and relationships driven by their own personalities and life experiences. In any case, there is a huge amount of customization options, and it’s even easier to share creations with other players.

The Next-Gen Life Sim That Isn’t Ready for Life

Why are players leaving this title? Many feel that in its current state, inZOI is more of a visually stunning “tech demo” than a fully realized life simulation game. The most common criticism is the lack of depth and cohesion. While the game has many impressive individual features, they often fail to come together to create a meaningful or engaging experience. The day-to-day gameplay, including jobs and relationships, can feel repetitive and lacking in significant consequences.

As an Early Access title, the game also suffers from a clunky and unintuitive user interface, bugs, and performance issues. Additionally, some critics argue that in its pursuit of hyper-realism, inZOI lacks the charm and humor that defines games like The Sims, making the world and its characters feel sterile. In its current state, inZOI is not a direct competitor to The Sims for the average player, as the latter offers a more polished and content-rich experience.

But, inZOI shows incredible potential. Its open-world design, powerful customization tools, and innovative use of AI are features that a significant portion of the life simulation community has been requesting for years. Let’s hope the developers can turn things around and deliver a proper game. However, there is a concern that we may have to wait several years for a polished version of inZOI.

Right now, inZOI is getting ready to launch a free DLC called Cahaya, which is themed as an island getaway. Although it won’t be a map where you can live, you will be able to take brief trips to this peaceful holiday retreat from either Dowon or Bliss Bay to unwind and relax. This update will also introduce swimming, a key part of the vacation experience.