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Early Access Roadmap - Version 15 vs Version 16
May 2, 2026, 08:25 PM
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May 5, 2026, 01:43 AM
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11Overview22This article is a historical retrospective of the Early Access roadmap as it stood through 2025 and into early 2026. For the realigned 2026 plan and the current state of development, see 2026 Roadmap. For a chronological list of every patch and hotfix shipped, see Update History.44Early Access Launch66inZOI entered Early Access on March 28, 2025, on Windows via Steam at a price of $39.99 USD. The launch was accompanied by a promise that all updates and DLC would remain free until the full 1.0 release. The Early Access period was originally announced as lasting at least one year according to the Steam store page, with the studio later confirming that 1.0 had been moved to early 2027 in an April 17, 2026 community letter.88The launch generated immediate commercial momentum: over one million copies sold in the first week, peak concurrent player count on Steam reached 87,377, and Steam user reviews launched at Very Positive (86% positive on launch day, settling around 83% by the end of the first week).10102025 Updates Delivered1212v0.2.0 (June 2025)1414The first major post-launch patch. Key additions:1616Weight and muscle change system for Zoi bodies based on activity and dietIn-game cheat codes via the console (Ctrl+Shift+C)Relationship improvements and the adoption systemBuild Mode enhancements with new furniture itemsCharacter Creation improvements and new outfit optionsOfficial mod support launch via ModKit1818v0.3.0 (August 2025): Island Getaway2020A major free DLC that introduced the tropical island destination Cahaya. This was the largest content update of 2025:2222Three new islands: main island (farming, fishing), resort island (recreation), and deserted island (exploration)Swimming mechanics with pools and ocean swimming14 new vehicles including motorcycles, mopeds, and electric scooters (see transportation)Ghost play mechanics with afterlife interactionsFreelancer job professionsmacOS release on Apple SiliconExpanded Edit City resourcesAI Build Mode featureText messaging improvements for the smartphoneSkills improvements and parenting enhancementsProperty loans added for housing2424v0.4.0 (October 2025): Halloween and Mentality Overhaul2626A focused update on seasonal content and personality system rebuild. Headlines:2828Halloween seasonal events with pumpkin farming, jack-o-lantern carving, trick-or-treat, and ghost fishGhost gameplay system: deceased Zois playable as ghosts for three in-game days before ascendingFuneral system with new properties (Funeral Home, Columbarium, Cemetery)Mentality system overhaul unifying traits, characteristics, ambitions, and urges into one frameworkDefault in-game day length shortened from 96 to 48 real-world minutesKarma score, icons, and dedicated menu items removed (interactions merged into the general interaction system)100+ Character Creation items, 120+ Build Mode items, 38 unlockable Halloween cosmetics, 58 unlockable Halloween building items144 new rabbit-hole career opportunity cards and 10 new social events3030v0.5.0 (December 2025): Business and Crime3232A systems-focused update that overhauled several core mechanics:3434FeatureDescriptionMultitaskingZois can perform multiple actions simultaneously (e.g., eating while talking).Business ownershipPlayers can own and manage businesses across nine types: Cafe, Bakery, Restaurant, Bar, Florist Shop, Confectionery, Gym, School, and Open Lot.Criminal careersTwo new career paths in the criminal underworld: Gangster (Bliss Bay) and Street Soldier (Dowon).Zoi Interaction ResponseZois react differently based on personality traits.Move CitiesHouseholds can relocate between different cities.Holiday FestivalLimited-time event with snack booths, gift booths, and choirs in each city's main park.Indoor temperature controlAdjustable indoor temperature for residential lots.Baking and Drink MixingTwo new dedicated skills split off from Cooking.Build Mode rebalancedRemoved cost for installing basic walls and handrails. Reduced prices for doors, windows, and stairs.3636How the Roadmap Evolved3737When KRAFTON published the original Early Access roadmap in late 2024, several features that did not make the launch build were tagged for delivery during the year-long Early Access period. The plan stayed broadly on track through 2025:3939June 2025 delivered the first content patch with adoption, ModKit, and body weight as promised.August 2025 delivered the Cahaya DLC, macOS support, and the freelancer career framework.October 2025 delivered the Halloween event, ghost gameplay, and the mentality overhaul.December 2025 delivered businesses, crime, the Holiday Festival, and the new Baking and Drink Mixing skills.4241The most notable schedule changes during 2025 were ambitious systems that took longer than originally pitched. The mentality overhaul (originally floated for mid-year) shipped in October. The business ownership system (originally pitched for the back half of the year) shipped in December. The PlayStation 5 release, originally announced in August 2025 for H1 2026, was later realigned in April 2026 to coincide with the 1.0 launch in early 2027.44432026 Plan: Pointer to 2026 Roadmap4645In December 2025, Director Hyungjun Kim published the Fundamentals First letter alongside the 2026 plan. That plan was published in two parts:4847Part 1 (December 26, 2025): Quarterly content updates for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 2026.Part 2 (January 2, 2026): Three experimental initiatives handled by a separate team: modding tool expansion, the new Canvastown world, and online multiplayer.5049The full plan, including its evolution through Q1 and the April 2026 realignment, is documented in the 2026 Roadmap article. That article also tracks Q1 2026 delivery status, the April 17 and April 24 community letters, and the realigned Q2 plan.5251Headline Items From the Original 2026 Plan5453The original Early Access pitch carried several feature commitments forward into 2026. The current status of each is tracked in detail in the 2026 Roadmap; the original commitments were:5655QuarterHeadline ItemsQ1 2026Rivalry and reputation systems, school properties, flower farming, memory system expansions, beauty and police careers, European and Hanok architecture, multitasking improvements.Q2 2026Freelance career options, K-pop performance content, prison properties, voice customization, stage environments, enhanced reward systems, new urges and missions for Desired Lives.Q3 2026Part-time jobs, event memory systems tied to emotions and relationships, curved walls in Build Mode, enhanced value system.Q4 2026Basement construction, interior and exterior wall decoration features.5857Beyond Fundamentals (Part 2)5958Three major initiatives run alongside the quarterly updates:6160InitiativeStatusCanvastownA new world built using the Fate Engine, designed around shared narratives where Zoi stories interconnect. Two Canvastown releases planned: Canvastown #1 (June 2026, ~40 lots) and Canvastown #2 (October 2026, ~50 lots, rural and pastoral).Multiplayer (inZOI Online)Dedicated servers planned to support hundreds to thousands of concurrent players. Features in development include online lobbies, chat rooms, and visiting other players' decorated houses. Currently in R&D.Expanded ModdingLua scripting support is planned for December 2026, giving modders the ability to create custom behaviors, events, and gameplay systems. Monthly modding improvements continue throughout the year.6362Platform Expansion6463PlatformStatusWindows PC (Steam)Live since March 28, 2025.macOSLive since August 20, 2025. Apple Silicon M2 or newer with 16 GB unified memory required.PlayStation 5Originally H1 2026; realigned in April 2026 to coincide with the 1.0 launch in early 2027.Xbox Series X|SUnder consideration. No date confirmed.Nintendo Switch 2Reported as potentially infeasible given hardware requirements.6665See Also67662026 Roadmap is the current and comprehensive plan for 2026. Update History lists every patch since launch. April 2026 Update details the April hotfix cycle and community letters. inZOI Game Overview covers the broader picture. PlayStation 5 Version details the platform timeline.
