Daria "Foxdari" Sedelnikova
inZOI is a life simulator developed by Korean studio Krafton. Even in early access, the game quickly built a large fanbase. Players actively share guides and theories. And no wonder — the game introduces many mechanics that are unusual for the genre. Plus, there are plenty of intriguing cultural references. We’ve gathered 15 curious finds from the game that are easy to overlook.
Easter eggs
Muay Thai
This martial art is also known as the "art of eight limbs". During fights in inZOI, you can see characters take on the characteristic stance: arms raised and bent, leg prepared for a strike. It's a clear reference to Muay Thai, which, by the way, is popular in street fighting.
Image: ensigame.com
The Goth family in inZOI
Veterans of The Sims will likely recognize the familiar traits of the Goths in the Martin family. Wealthy foreigners obsessed with art, two charismatic children, and a ton of secrets. The older family members are devoted to art, just like Mortimer and Bella.
And the two children inherited their parents' charm and draw attention just like Cassandra and Alexander. Locals wonder why the family moved to Davon in the first place and where their wealth came from.
Image: ensigame.com
K-pop and idols
As mentioned earlier, inZOI is developed by the Korean studio Krafton. So it’s no surprise there are many references to Korean culture. You can become an idol manager or even an idol yourself, and TV shows play K-dramas. The clothing style is inspired by Seoul street fashion: high-platform sneakers, hoodies, baseball caps, and pastel-colored business outfits.
Image: ensigame.com
Enneagram
Many have noticed strange words in the Zoi trait descriptions, like "Challenger" or "Peacemaker". Players assumed it was a translation quirk. But in fact, character traits in inZOI are based on the Enneagram. This is a personality typology describing nine deep subconscious drives.
Each type has its own way of thinking, feeling, and acting. This affects how a character behaves in the city, at work, and in relationships.
Image: ensigame.com
A nod to inZOI from Mundfish
Mundfish, the studio behind Atomic Heart, posted on social media. One of the "Twins" is sitting on a skyscraper rooftop in game style, with a fluffy creature resembling a cat nearby.
There’s been no official confirmation of a collaboration between inZOI and Atomic Heart, but the reference is obvious. It may be a social media marketing move or a show of respect between studios. Either way, players picked up on it quickly and spread the image through the community.
Image: mundfish.com
Samsung electronics
When buying appliances in inZOI, you might come across actual Samsung gadgets. Virtual versions of the products come with logos and item descriptions. It’s a subtle detail, but it adds a special charm. Feels like you're just shopping at a local store.
Image: ensigame.com
Gameplay
Emergency Rescue
If your character gets stuck in textures or freezes, no need to reload the game. Game features a "Emergency Rescue" button, which helps return the Zoi to a "working space". Once activated, the actions are debugged, they teleport to a safe area and continue living as if nothing happened.
Image: ensigame.com
Facial capture in inZOI
The character editor supports facial capture via iPhone camera. Just connect the phone and download the app. The smartphone camera captures your facial expressions and maps them onto the in-game model.
Image: ensigame.com
Life after death
When a Zoi dies, the player can either reload a previous save or enter the afterlife. What happens there depends on the karma. A virtuous, peaceful life lets them pass on calmly, while bad karma turns them into a ghost who roams the city trying to right past wrongs.
At the time of writing, the ghost mechanics haven’t been implemented yet, but the developers announced them before early access and even showcased some gameplay.
Image: ensigame.com
Neural network
To customize appearance, clothing, and interiors, you can use a neural network. Upload an image and the system creates a texture or material. Or type a prompt, and the AI generates the needed texture. It’s a fun feature that invites long experimentation — players finally get to feel like designers and create truly unique characters.
Image: ensigame.com
3D printer
Let’s smoothly transition from the previous point. In addition to clothing and accessories, you can create 3D home objects via 3D printer using AI. Upload an image — get a 3D in-game object. You can place it in your house or wear it as an accessory.
Image: ensigame.com
Car driving
In most life simulators, cars are driven automatically. In inZOI, however, the player can take the wheel. Other people drive around the city, pedestrians walk the sidewalks — it’s a full urban traffic simulation. If you're not careful, you might even cause an accident.
Image: ensigame.com
Smart Zoi
The "Smart Zoi" function turns non-playable heroes into co-playable characters (CPCs) using artificial intelligence. NPCs act like they're being controlled by other players. The AI decides what they do — study, build relationships with neighbors and coworkers, or stir up trouble in the streets.
Image: ensigame.com
Prison
Bad behavior — rudeness, fighting, vandalism — can land your character in jail. It’s not just a cutscene but an actual confinement area. In captivity, your Zoi continues living, and the player retains control. You can interact with other NPCs — it's all part of the gameplay.
Image: ensigame.com
City Editor
Once your family has moved in, the city editing features become available. Open the “City Appearance” settings to change the landscape and weather, add billboard ads with your own images, and choose the style of trees, decor, and which animals will inhabit the town. It’s satisfying to see the city’s atmosphere transform after customization.
By the way, in the same menu, you can adjust the weather — toggle rain or sunshine — and even control pollution levels across districts. Create a gray, dreary ghetto or a clean, high-tech neighborhood with flying drones and foxes in the park.
Image: ensigame.com
inZOI is an ambitious project with massive potential. The developers are constantly adding new features, making the game even more engaging. Easter eggs and hidden tricks are just a small part of what players can discover in game.
Main image: ensigame.com
0 comments