Hobbies and preferences
Complete guide to the preferences system in inZOI: all 34 preferences across 7 categories, the 10-preference limit (likes and dislikes both count), how preferences affect autonomous behavior and skill growth, the full list of hobby activities, and the Autonomy toggle.
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How preferences work
Every Zoi can have up to 10 preferences total, selected from 7 categories. Each preference can be set to either "Like" or "Dislike", and both likes and dislikes count toward the 10-preference limit. So if a Zoi likes Cooking, Painting, and Coffee (3 likes) and dislikes Fast Food and Boxing (2 dislikes), that's 5 of their 10 slots used.
Preferences can be edited anytime through the Zoi Card interface. As of the August 2025 update, newly created Zois no longer have preferences automatically assigned. You set them manually during or after creation.
What preferences actually do
Item | Description |
|---|---|
Autonomous behavior | When Autonomy is on, Zois gravitate toward liked activities and avoid disliked ones. A Zoi who likes Cleaning will tidy the house whenever the opportunity arises. |
Skill growth | Liked activities level up the associated skill faster than neutral ones. |
Emotional responses | Liked activities produce positive emotions; disliked ones produce negative emotions. |
Social dynamics | Preferences influence how Zois interact with each other and shape their desired lives. |
Preference discovery
Through life experiences, Zois can discover new preferences or have existing ones change naturally. This happens organically as they go about their daily lives. A Zoi who keeps getting forced to cook might develop an opinion about it one way or the other.
All preference categories
There are currently 34 preferences across 7 categories:
Fitness (6 preferences)
Jogging, Strength Training, Yoga, Boxing, Ball Sports, Swimming. Swimming was added in the August 2025 update alongside the Cahaya expansion. See the fitness article for workout details.
Food (7 preferences)
Coffee, Street Food, Fast Food, Meat, Vegetables, Spicy Food, Cake. These affect which foods a Zoi gravitates toward when eating and how they react to meals. See restaurants and dining for food details.
Relationship (2 preferences)
Animals, Plants. A Zoi who likes Animals will interact more with cats and other animals in the world. A Zoi who likes Plants will be more attentive to gardening.
Hobby (6 preferences)
Dancing, Singing, Taking Photos, Appreciating Art, Painting, Gaming. These map directly to the hobby activities described below.
Reading (4 preferences)
Self-Help Books, Novels, Health Books, Art Books. Different book types level different skills when read: speech books increase Rhetoric, tech books increase Programming, and general reading builds Critical Thinking.
Instrument (3 preferences)
Guitar, Piano, Drums. See the instruments article for details on playing music, composition, and the Pro Musician ambition.
Activity (6 preferences)
Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry, Bathing, Washing Cars, Repairing. These are the everyday chores. A Zoi who likes Cleaning becomes a lifesaver in larger households.
Autonomy
Preferences only affect behavior when Autonomy (Free Will) is enabled. The toggle is per-Zoi, there's no global setting. Press the T key or use the toggle in the bottom UI panel. Visual indicators:
White open cat's eye = Autonomy on (Zoi acts independently based on preferences)
Orange closed cat's eye = Autonomy off (Zoi takes no action on their own)
Be careful with Autonomy off. Without it, a Zoi literally does nothing unless you command them, they can starve or collapse from sleep deprivation if you forget about them.
Hobby activities
Beyond the preference system itself, here's the full list of leisure activities available in the game:
Creative
Painting draw or doodle at a table, or paint on easels and walls. Levels the Art skill. Paintings can be sold through the Pocket Market.
Photography requires a Camera (599 Meow in Build Mode). Levels Media Production. See Photo Mode.
Media Production create and edit videos on a computer.
Appreciating Art viewing art pieces at the Narim Art Gallery in Dowon or at home.
Music and performance
Playing instruments guitar, piano, keyboard, drums. Children can access drum kits and keyboards. See instruments.
Singing and karaoke sing at home or visit karaoke venues like the Coin Booth Karaoke in Dowon. Costs 5 Meow per session. Levels the Performance skill.
Busking perform music in public areas (parks, cafes, plazas, beaches) to earn tips. Crowded spots pay better.
Stand-up comedy perform comedy routines at venues. Levels the Performance skill.
Dancing connected to the Idol/Performer career paths in Dowon's entertainment industry.
Fitness
Gym workouts squat racks, bench presses, free weights, pull-down machines, treadmills. See fitness.
Yoga on mats at home or at locations like the Cahaya temple.
Jogging run around the neighborhood or parks.
Boxing punching bags at gyms.
Ball Sports basketball and soccer at outdoor courts.
Swimming added in August 2025, available at pools and Cahaya beaches.
Hula Hoop a lighter exercise option.
Other activities
Video games play on a computer, console, or arcade machine. Levels the Programming skill.
Reading books on a tablet or from a bookshelf. Different genres level different skills.
Fishing at designated spots in each city (like the river at Harang River Park in Dowon). Fish can be kept or sold.
Gardening buy and maintain plants, water them, harvest crops. See gardening.
Cooking prepare meals at home using recipes. Watching cooking shows on TV also helps. See restaurants and dining.
Coffee crafting brew coffee with a grinder and espresso machine. Levels the Coffee Crafting skill.
Beach activities surfing and beach volleyball at Bliss Bay and Cahaya.
Chess play on a chessboard (780 Meow in Build Mode).
All 13 skills
For reference, the complete skills list in inZOI: Cooking, Charm, Programming, Gardening, Fitness, Art, Coffee Crafting, Rhetoric, Media Production, Housework, Instrument, Critical Thinking, and Performance.