The director of InZOI, Hyungjun ‘Kjun’ Kim, has revealed that the game’s realistic graphics have caused some unexpected challenges during development. While the highly detailed visuals have impressed players, they also created difficulties in adding humor and certain character animations.
In a recent interview with PCGamesN Kim explained that the grounded visuals made comedic moments feel out of place, unlike The Sims, which is known for its exaggerated and funny interactions. Additionally, the developers had to modify shower scenes because using pixelation, like in The Sims, made the characters appear too suggestive. Instead, InZOI characters now wear towels while bathing to maintain immersion.
These changes likely stem from past gaming controversies. The Sims 2 once faced criticism from anti-video game activists who falsely claimed that pixelation could be removed to reveal inappropriate content. Although gaming audiences today better understand content ratings, InZOI’s developers took a cautious approach to avoid any issues.
Another key difference between InZOI and The Sims is the way characters behave. The Sims characters are designed with over-the-top reactions and silly movements, which add to the game’s fun and randomness. However, InZOI’s focus on realism means that characters act more naturally, making the world feel lifelike but less comedic. This design choice could affect how players connect with the game, as humor is a big part of what makes The Sims enjoyable.
Despite these differences, InZOI has already gained popularity, reaching a high player count soon after release. The game’s advanced character creator and detailed environments have impressed many, showing that realism has its own appeal.
While InZOI and The Sims take different approaches, both games have strengths that could lead to long-term success. Fans of life simulation games now have more options, whether they prefer a fun, lighthearted experience or a more immersive and realistic world.