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2026 Roadmap
March 6, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Major rewrite: complete Q1-Q4 breakdown with detailed feature lists, modding roadmap timeline, engine upgrade details, and development philosophy notes
Director Hyungjun Kim outlined the 2026 roadmap on December 26, 2025, emphasizing a "Fundamentals First" approach. The plan adds new content each quarter while strengthening core systems in careers, building, and terrain editing. All roadmap features are free updates for Early Access owners. Priorities may shift based on technical constraints and player feedback.
Multiple jobs per Zoi, with job interviews, remote work options, and performance evaluations
Beauty-related careers using appearance customization gameplay
Police career with patrol cars and real-time criminal searches
Competitive interaction system where actions determine a winner and loser
Rival system for Zois competing toward the same goals
Reputation system based on local communities
High school campus properties
Flower farming and flower arranging activities
Memory system expansion with trauma and life milestones
Fate Engine integration
Calendar system with birthday celebrations
Age adjustment options for life stages
Emotional state overview UI for tracking emotions
Contact exchange and blocking features for the Smartphone
Wall messaging system
Childcare-specific urges for parents
European architecture, furniture, and outfit sets
Hanok-style (traditional Korean) architecture, furniture, and Hanbok-style outfits
Enhanced multitasking behaviors
Group action support
Game balance adjustments
Unreal Engine upgrade from 5.4 to 5.6 (beta testing began March 5, 2026)
Graphics improvements for minimum spec hardware
Freelance careers: writing, game development, photography, blogging
Taxi driver career
Elderly-focused career paths
Prison properties with yards, libraries, workshops, lounges, cafeterias, showers, and visitation rooms
Expanded reward system with ranks, tiers, and goals
Voice customization in character creation
Stage performance spaces and themed environments
Neon slum and fantasy theme concept locations
K-pop styling options and stage outfits
K-pop dance motions
Superstar performance events
Life aspiration system improvements
New urges and missions
Game balance adjustments
Part-time jobs for teenagers and expanded career options
Event memory and diary system
Curved wall support for windows, walls, and pools in Build Mode
Values system improvements
Game balance adjustments
Basement construction in Build Mode
Terrain editing feature development begins
Interior and exterior wall module decoration features
Content enhancements
Game balance adjustments
The roadmap becomes intentionally lighter in Q3-Q4 to allow deeper focus on quality, stability, and usability of the features being built.
A separate modding timeline was posted on January 2, 2026, outlining tool and platform expansions throughout the year.
Month | Feature |
|---|---|
January | JSON-based asset handling to prevent mod data mismatches; in-game mod management system |
March | CAZ Wizard expansion for accessories, motions, face modding; project management improvements; enhanced Sound Wizard |
June | Vehicle modding; UE 5.6 migration; CLO platform integration; PS5 and Mac mod support preparation |
October | Multiplayer-linked modding testing; AI data-modding wizard testing |
December | Lua script modding support |
The "Fundamentals First" approach means the team prioritizes strengthening core gameplay before expanding into new territory. Director Hyungjun Kim noted that items #1 through #7 on the roadmap were already in active development, and that not every feature listed is guaranteed to ship in 2026. The team adjusts priorities based on technical feasibility and community feedback.
