[p]Hello,
I'm happy to announce that the development team has finally completed the March build today.[/p][p]
Of course, just because the build is complete doesn’t mean the work is finished. We still need to continue fixing bugs.[/p][p]
At the beginning of this year, we committed to completing a total of 32 items from the Fundamentals First (FF) list within the first half of the year, and fortunately, we were able to complete all of them. We’re truly glad we could keep our promise to you. ^^; That said, we’re not sure if we’ll always be able to meet expectations this perfectly going forward.[/p][p]
This March build includes around 60 major features, and we feel that the inZOI team has been working incredibly hard.[/p][p]
We have also made significant overall improvements to the graphics and increased the depth of existing life simulation content. In particular, we enhanced systems like Memory and the News Feed, allowing players to better understand the reasons behind Zoi behavior. Additionally, in celebration of inZOI’s birthday, we’ve added new birthday-related content.[/p][p]
However, looking back, there are still bugs to fix and some content that feels awkward, and memory optimization is not yet fully complete. In April, we plan to proceed with the engine update, further memory optimization, and additional modding support.[/p][p]
Rather than focusing on adding new features, we plan to concentrate more on bug fixes and overall stability improvements.[/p][p]
Since this build includes a large number of features to introduce, it took longer to fit everything into the video, which caused a slight delay in publishing.[/p][p]
We hope you enjoy this week’s update as well.
Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend.[/p][p]
— Kjun[/p][p]
P.S. Here's the page explaining the Standardized Property Sizes, as I mentioned in the video:https://playinzoi.com/en/news/9839🔗 Discord:
Link[/p][p]🔗 Forum:
Link[/p][p][/p]
Kjun’s Reply to Your Comments
[p][/p][p]Hello everyone~[/p][p][/p][p]As I looked back on the messages from this week, I saw that so many of you shared positive reactions to the update and words of thanks. I am the one who should be thanking you even more. On Friday, I will share a written post with a detailed story and retrospective covering the past year. In particular, I will also go over our remaining development plans after April in detail. I usually write these posts because I do not have a video to share once an update is finished, but Friday will be special. Since it is inZOI’s birthday, I plan to write a much longer post than usual.[/p][p][/p][p]This week, many players expressed their appreciation for the development team’s efforts, and many of you also shared your excitement for new content such as baby customization, improved bath animations, birthday parties, and the movie theater. A lot of you were also thankful that the update video was shared despite being posted very late at night, and many messages encouraged the team to stay healthy and get proper rest. Thank you very much.[/p][p][/p][p]Do you know one of the defining traits of Korean people? There are many, but one of the biggest is our “ppalli-ppalli” culture—the habit of doing everything quickly. It seems to have grown out of the ruins after the war, the rapid industrialization we had to catch up with in a short period of time, and the density of city life. “You have to move fast to survive, and fast to win” became almost like a rule of life. Perhaps because of that, over the past year the inZOI team created 930 pieces of furniture, 385 character items, and developed around 60 new features.[/p][p][/p][p]But compressed growth also comes with side effects. We still have a lot of content that has not been fully organized, and there are many areas where the overall quality is not where it should be. Still, it is only March, and there is still a lot of this year left. So—we will keep fighting. We will do our best.[/p][p][/p]
Requests for Game System and Feature Improvements
[p]Players asked us to deepen the autonomy and individuality of Zois so that characters behave in ways that better fit their situations and personalities. For example, there were requests for things like a social battery system, behavior changes based on emotions, and personality-based differences in how often characters refuse conversations. Players also emphasized the need for adjustable personality complexity and more natural changes in behavior patterns over time. This is one of the hardest areas for the inZOI team. Recently, we have been trying to improve it by implementing a new evaluation system. The root of the issue is that a huge amount of mental and behavioral data is running inside the simulation at once, which makes it difficult to fully understand every possible outcome. We are planning to build automated testing tools to help improve this area.[/p][p][/p]
Crime and Career System Improvements
[p]There have been many requests for deeper improvements to car theft and the overall crime system. Players want greater freedom in criminal behavior, along with systems that reflect the social consequences of crime, such as damaged relationships or effects on a character’s job. For the career system, players also asked for more realistic job variety, workplace relationships, and promotion requirements. We are continuing to refine crime systems as we work toward adding prisons in the summer. We will keep improving this area by reflecting your feedback.[/p][p][/p]
More Active Social Interactions and Events
[p]Players also said we need more realistic social interaction systems, including conversations and relationship-building between NPCs, more active participation in events such as parties and festivals, clearer differences in behavior between guests and employees, and better restrictions on guest behavior. In particular, players mentioned birthday parties, holiday events, and stronger VIP lounge security in clubs. You also pointed out many environmental and cultural differences that we had not fully considered before. We are currently planning improvements to club VIP systems for around autumn. I am sorry it is taking so long. Our plan is for guards to let celebrities pass through, or to allow access if they are given money.[/p][p][/p]
Improvements to Movement and Map Systems
[p]Players asked for route guidance and GPS functions on the minimap, improvements to vehicle parking systems, more realistic NPC driving and parking behavior, and better fast-travel simulation. Many players want an intuitive GTA-style driving and parking experience, and they are also hoping for realistic reactions to vehicle damage and traffic accidents. We will continue strengthening this area. One of the things we are currently planning is a taxi driver job, where players will pick up passengers, drive them to designated locations, and talk with them during the ride.[/p][p][/p]
Animation and Graphics Quality Improvements
[p]There were also many requests this week for more detailed animation improvements, such as soap bubbles and steam during baths, hand gestures during conversations, and more natural interactions with objects. Some players pointed out that certain animations still feel unnatural or too simplified, which hurts immersion. We also received many requests for better outdoor graphics quality and more clothing and hairstyle options. We are collecting all the hairstyle and outfit references you have shared and will move forward with the ones we can develop. Next month, it looks like we may finally be able to deliver high heels and dresses.[/p][p][/p]
Further Development of Business and Economy Systems
[p]Players also asked for stronger systems for staff management, inventory management, and customer interaction in places like shops and restaurants, along with more realistic purchasing behavior. There were also many suggestions for expanding the functionality of new business types such as movie theaters, flower shops, and bakeries, and for adding more real operational elements. We are continuing to update the business system. In particular, we want to make it possible for players to control systems in the same way they decorate environments. For example, if you place a hot dog stand while building, we want a vendor to automatically begin working there. We also have business improvements planned for movie theaters, flower shops, and bakeries. Relationships with employees, restaurants, and related systems are also on the roadmap. In addition, we are preparing new businesses such as clothing stores and hair salons. ^^;[/p][p][/p]
Supernatural Elements and Difficulty Adjustment
[p]Players requested a slider to control the frequency of ghosts and supernatural events, as well as options to turn supernatural content on or off depending on player preference. Some players suggested minimizing these elements or separating them into DLC in order to preserve the game’s realism and immersion. This is something we can handle. The final form may still change, but we are planning to add options in city edit mode that let you control ghost appearance frequency or turn them on and off entirely.[/p][p][/p]
Community and Player Participation
[p]There were also discussions about strengthening communication with the community, including support for fan-made movie creation and sharing, the addition of social media systems, and the formation of early feedback groups that reflect player opinions. There were also ideas for rewards for long-term players, such as special first anniversary items and honorary recognition. We are very grateful for these ideas, and we will move quickly to prepare what we can.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you so much for all of your messages this week. I was especially touched by those of you who told us to finish work and go enjoy a team dinner. The Korean game industry is actually a little different from the way it is often shown in Korean dramas—we do not really do formal drinking gatherings that often. But we do go out together and find good places to eat. I personally cannot drink much at all either. [/p][p][/p][p]Thank you again for everything this week. We will safely update the build tomorrow, and I will see you again on Friday. Your passion and valuable feedback always give great strength to both me and the development team.[/p][p][/p][p]See you on Friday.[/p][p][/p][p]kjun[/p]