Revision 6

Deaths overview

Death is a significant and permanent mechanic in inZOI. Zois can die from a wide range of causes. Starvation, fire, electrocution, car accidents, disease, loneliness, and more. The developers have planned 16 death types, of which 15 are currently confirmed in Early Access. When a Zoi dies, their accumulated karma determines whether they pass peacefully to the afterlife or become a ghost that haunts the city. Children are protected from death. They are removed by Child Protection Services instead. Understanding death mechanics is essential because allowing too many ghosts to accumulate can have devastating consequences for an entire city.

All confirmed causes of death

The 16th planned death type has not been identified yet and may be added in a future Early Access update.

What happens when a Zoi dies

When a Zoi dies, the game presents four options:

1. "On to the Afterlife". The Zoi's fate is determined by their accumulated karma (see Karma section below)

2. Continue with remaining family. Switch control to another playable Zoi in the household

3. Select a new family. If no playable Zois remain in the household

4. Go Back In Time. Reload a previous save to reverse the death entirely

Choosing "On to the Afterlife" is permanent and cannot be undone. The Go Back In Time option is the only way to truly save a Zoi from death.

Karma system

Every Zoi accumulates karma throughout their life. Karma determines what happens after death:

How karma works

• Positive karma: Helping others, complimenting, positive social interactions, being kind

• Negative karma: Rude behavior, causing harm, antisocial actions, criminal activities, neglecting others

• Karma accumulates over a Zoi's entire lifetime. A lifetime of kindness results in good karma even if they have a few bad moments

• Karma cannot be checked directly. It is evaluated at the moment of death

Ghost system

Zois with bad karma become ghosts after death. Ghosts remain in the game world for approximately three in-game days and can attempt redemption:

• Ghosts must perform good deeds to restore their karma score

• Ghosts can unlock special abilities by fulfilling death-related urges

• Once karma is restored, the ghost passes on peacefully

• If karma is not restored within the time limit, the ghost fades but the negative karmic impact on the city remains

Ghost town consequence

This is the most severe consequence of the death system. If too many Zois become ghosts in a single city:

• New Zois cannot be born. Families cannot form and the population declines

• The city becomes a "ghost town". A literal collapse of the social fabric

• Players must actively manage karma across the entire city to prevent this

• Cleansing a ghost town requires resolving the karma of existing ghosts through good deeds

The ghost town mechanic means death in inZOI has consequences beyond the individual Zoi. It affects the entire community. This makes karma management a city-wide strategic concern.

Ghost system status (Early Access)

The full ghost system is still under development. In the current Early Access build:

• Players can access an experimental ghost mode by repeatedly pressing Esc during the death menus

• Ghosts currently lack proper character models and cannot interact with objects

• The ghost's only functional need is karma redemption

• Full ghost models, interactions, abilities, and ghost-specific skills are planned for a future update

Child protection

Children cannot die in inZOI. If a child Zoi's needs reach critically low levels across multiple categories (hunger, sleep, social), they are removed by Child Protection Services rather than dying. The child is permanently removed from the household and cannot be recovered. This applies to toddler and child life stages only. Teenagers can die from the standard causes.

Indirect killing methods

Players have discovered several ways to indirectly cause Zoi deaths through environmental manipulation:

• Remove ladders from swimming pools to cause drowning

• Lock Zois in rooms without food access to cause starvation

• Place faulty electronics near Zois with low Housework skill

• Build rooms without exits and start fires

• Force Zois into heavy traffic areas

These methods are available for player experimentation but will generate bad karma, potentially creating ghosts and contributing to ghost town conditions.

Base Game Death Types

Starvation

The most common preventable death. Zois can survive without food for approximately 2 in-game days. Once the Hunger gauge hits zero, the first 12 hours are "uncomfortable." Then a critical warning notification appears stating the Zoi is "enduring severe hunger." If the Zoi does not eat within the next 12 hours after this warning, they die.

• Prevention: Keep food stocked in the refrigerator, order food from the Pocket Market app, or visit restaurants. Leaving Autonomy on allows Zois to feed themselves.

• Ghost ability: Can make nearby Zois hungry. The ghost also needs to eat.

Sleep Deprivation

Zois can survive without sleep for approximately 2 in-game days. Once the Sleep gauge hits zero, a "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" notification appears warning that if the Zoi does not rest within 12 hours, it could prove fatal. Children do not die from sleep deprivation; they faint instead.

• Prevention: Provide access to beds, monitor the Sleep need gauge, and leave Autonomy on.

• Ghost ability: Can make nearby Zois fall asleep. The ghost also needs to sleep.

Fire

Kitchen fires can break out when cooking goes wrong or when appliances malfunction. Electronics also have a random fire chance. The City's Fire Prevention Rate (adjustable via Smartphone > City Map > Manage City) directly affects fire probability; lowering it increases fire frequency.

• Prevention: Keep the Fire Prevention Rate high, repair broken appliances promptly using the Housework Skill, keep fire extinguishers available, and call Firefighters if a fire starts. Do not leave Zois near active flames.

• Ghost ability: Can set everything on fire.

Slipping and Falling

Wet floors from broken plumbing, kitchen spills, or water left after showering create slippery surfaces. When a Zoi steps on a wet surface, there is a small random chance they slip and die. This is specifically about slipping on wet surfaces, not falling from heights.

• Prevention: Mop up spills and standing water immediately. Repair broken faucets, toilets, and plumbing promptly to prevent recurring leaks.

Electrocution

Zois can be electrocuted when repairing broken electronics with low skill levels, or when attempting to hack ATMs (a Crime action requiring bad Karma and Level 1 Programming). Higher Housework Skill levels significantly reduce the risk during repairs.

• Prevention: Hire a professional repair service through the Pocket Market app instead of attempting DIY repairs. Save before hacking ATMs.

Car Accident

Zois can be hit by vehicles while walking near roads, or the player can deliberately drive a vehicle into another Zoi. This is described as the easiest and fastest way to cause a death in inZOI. A launch-era bug that allowed vehicles to kill child Zois was patched out by Krafton, who called it "highly inappropriate."

• Prevention: Keep Zois away from busy roads and high-traffic areas.

Old Age

The only inevitable death type. Only Zois in the Senior life stage can die of old age. The exact age of death varies from Zoi to Zoi, and lifespans change each time the game is resumed to prevent repeated deaths at the same age on reload. Players can delay this by turning off aging in simulation settings.

• Prevention: Cannot be prevented. The immortalZoi true cheat can make all Zois immortal.

• Ghost ability: Can wear out furniture.

Running Away (Lack of Recognition)

When the Recognition need drops to critically low levels, a Zoi may run away and die. This death type is unique to inZOI and reflects how "in the modern world people feel fulfilled from being recognized by others."

• Prevention: Maintain the Recognition need gauge through social validation and accomplishments.

Weather-Related Deaths

Freezing

Cold weather exposure, especially around 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) or below, can be fatal. Zois automatically switch to Winter outfits, but wearing light or Summer clothing accelerates cold effects. After about 30 minutes of exposure, the Zoi becomes "Afraid" due to Brain Freeze. If nothing is done, the Zoi freezes to death. Children are sent to the Child Protection Agency instead.

• Prevention: Wear appropriate Winter clothing and go indoors during cold weather.

Heatstroke

Extreme heat, especially during Heatwave natural disasters, can cause heatstroke and death. This can occur indoors if indoor climate is not controlled. Developers adjusted death probability from heatwaves after reports that Zois were dying too frequently.

• Prevention: Use fans to cool rooms, stay indoors during heatwaves, and wear appropriate Summer clothing.

Cahaya DLC Death Types (v0.3.0)

The Island Getaway DLC added four new death types related to water and tropical weather in Cahaya and Bliss Bay:

Drowning

Swimming depletes Energy faster than normal activities. Once Energy hits zero while swimming, a warning appears that the Zoi may drown in 3 hours. The warning repeats 3 times. After the third warning, if the Zoi has not exited the water, they die.

• Prevention: Exit the water when Energy gets low. Do not swim for extended periods without rest.

Shark Attack

Entering shark-infested areas in Bliss Bay or Cahaya triggers escalating warnings. Extended time in the area results in death. Players can check the in-game town map to identify shark-infested zones.

• Prevention: Check the town map for shark-infested areas before swimming. Leave immediately when warnings appear.

• Ghost ability: Can make nearby Zois feel seasick.

Jellyfish Sting

Same mechanic as shark attacks but in jellyfish-infested waters. Escalating warnings precede death if the Zoi remains in the dangerous area.

• Prevention: Avoid jellyfish-infested waters. Exit immediately when warnings appear.

• Ghost ability: Can make nearby Zois feel seasick.

Lightning Strike

Being outdoors during Heavy Rain in Cahaya exposes Zois to frequent lightning strikes. Heavy Rain is a natural disaster unique to Cahaya that also prevents Zois from driving.

• Prevention: Go indoors during Heavy Rain events. Avoid open areas during storms.

• Ghost ability: Can release a lightning strike.

All Death Types Summary

What Happens After Death

Death Popup

When a Zoi dies, a popup message appears explaining the death and remembering the Zoi's life. Players are given two options:

• "Go Back in Time": Loads a previous save, restoring the Zoi to before the death occurred

• "On to the Afterlife": Accepts the death and allows 3 days of ghost play (as of v0.4.0), after which the Zoi passes permanently

Ghost Mechanics (v0.4.0)

Ghost play was added in the Halloween update (v0.4.0, October 30, 2025). The outcome depends on the Zoi's Karma level:

• Good/Normal Karma: The Zoi can head directly to the afterlife or be played as a ghost for 3 days

• Bad Karma: The Zoi must remain as a ghost, performing good deeds to redeem their Karma before they can pass on

Each ghost inherits personality traits from when alive and has a unique ability tied to their cause of death (see individual death type sections above). Ghost traits carry over, so calm Zois become mild-mannered ghosts while aggressive Zois may become mischievous spirits. Nyx the cat serves as a guide through the afterlife, notifying the player when a Zoi becomes a ghost. There is no traditional Grim Reaper character in inZOI.

If too many ghosts appear in a city, new Zois cannot be born and families cannot be created. Players must manage ghost populations. Claire at the AR Library offers ghost missions that reveal stories of different ghosts. After the 3-day period, players choose to have the ghost ascend or attend a funeral.

Funeral System (v0.4.0)

The v0.4.0 update added funeral-related features: Funeral Home and Columbarium property types, a Cemetery for holding funerals and storing urns, and the ability to enshrine deceased Zois. Urns are generated for Zois who die and can be found at the Funeral Home. The "Make Event" action creates funeral events, and "Enshrine Deceased" places urns in the columbarium.

Insurance System

The insurance system provides financial compensation for certain death types and disasters. Insurance can be purchased through the Insurance app on the Zoi's smartphone or computer:

All insurance policies apply to all family members, not just individual Zois. Policies can be cancelled from the same devices.

Tips

• Starvation is the most common accidental death. Always keep refrigerators stocked and cooking enabled

• The Go Back In Time option is your safety net. Use it if an important Zoi dies unexpectedly

• Pay attention to karma throughout a Zoi's life. By the time they die, it is too late to change their karmic balance

• Fix broken fixtures immediately. Wet floors from broken plumbing cause more deaths than you would expect

• The Housework skill reduces electrocution risk during repairs. Level it up before attempting DIY fixes

• Monitor the ghost population in your city. If ghosts start accumulating, prioritize helping them complete karma redemption

• Old age is unavoidable. Use the Zoi's final days to ensure their karma is positive for a peaceful passing

• Child Protection Services removal is permanent. Keep children's needs above critical levels at all times