Hold onto your game controllers, folks! A new contender has entered the life simulation arena, and it’s already making waves. Krafton’s latest release, InZOI, has had a smashing first weekend, outpacing even the venerable Sims franchise on Steam. However, it still has some catching up to do if it wants to dethrone The Sims 4’s lifetime peak on the platform. Early buzz from players is overwhelmingly positive, especially when it comes to the game’s jaw-dropping visuals. But as game director Hyungjun ‘Kjun’ Kim reveals, creating that stunning realism hasn’t been without its hiccups.
When it comes to eye candy, InZOI is setting a high bar. The graphics are so lifelike that they make other life sims look like they belong in a time capsule. Seriously, it’s almost eerie how real everything feels, especially when you factor in the game’s motion tracking features. Gamers everywhere are diving into character creation, and even vtubers are crafting elaborate replicas of their anime personas, affectionately dubbed ‘RTX models.’ But with that level of realism comes some interesting challenges.
One of the more amusing consequences of this hyper-realism? Shower scenes! InZOI characters wrap themselves in towels while bathing, a necessary tweak according to the developers. They found that using pixelation like in The Sims felt “overly suggestive” thanks to the game’s graphical prowess. “We actually tested this ourselves during development,” Kjun assures, “so you can trust us on this.” It’s a quirky solution that feels a bit out of place in a game that otherwise nails everyday life.
On a slightly darker note, the team had to roll out an emergency patch to fix an oversight that allowed players to run over children in cars. Kjun has expressed that crime elements were a bit scary for the team, initially aiming to steer clear of any “provocative or violent themes.” However, they ultimately decided that such elements might appeal to players and incorporated them. Talk about a balancing act!
Curious about the challenges posed by the game’s ultra-realistic visuals, I asked Kjun if they encountered any other development issues. “This was something we thought about a lot,” he explained. “With such realistic graphics, we constantly questioned how far we should take that realism. Sometimes we wanted to inject some lightheartedness, but it didn’t mesh well with the grounded visuals, which was a bit disappointing at times.”
Kjun has a lot of admiration for The Sims, and it shows. The EA classic has a goofy charm that gives it an edge over its new competitor. With its zany expressions, wild brawls, and hilarious slip-ups, The Sims is a masterclass in silliness. While InZOI boasts stunning visuals and a wide array of creative tools, it still seems to be finding its footing in terms of identity.
Still, Kjun is optimistic about the game’s realistic direction. “The graphics enhance immersion in both building and character customization, leading to some truly interesting moments during development. There were times we looked at screenshots and had to double-check if they were from the game or real life,” he shares. “We believe this level of immersive graphics will resonate with players, and throughout development, we’ve felt both proud and excited to bring this world to life.”
InZOI is definitely the kind of game you’d want to show off to your friends and family as proof of how far life sims have come. Here’s hoping that the developers aren’t afraid to sprinkle in some fun and quirkiness as they continue to evolve the game.
As InZOI continues to refine its identity and find the right balance between realism and playfulness, one thing is clear—players are hungry for immersive, innovative life sims. And speaking of innovation, platforms like BUFF.GAME are reshaping how gamers engage with their favorite titles. From creative influencer campaigns to cutting-edge in-game integrations across titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Valorant, BUFF.GAME is at the forefront of connecting brands with the gaming world. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just jumping into the virtual sandbox, BUFF brings the action to you—one quest, one highlight, one epic collab at a time.
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