Interactions

Interactions are how Zois engage with the world and with each other. Click on any object, surface, or Zoi to bring up a context menu of available actions. inZOI's environment is designed to be highly interactive: most furniture, appliances, outdoor objects, and even patches of ground offer at least one action. The interaction system covers everything from sitting on a bench to starting a conversation to repairing a broken appliance.

Object Interactions

Clicking on an object displays a radial menu of actions specific to that object. A refrigerator offers "Make Food" and "Grab a Quick Bite." A bookshelf offers "Read" with sub-options for different book categories. A television offers channels, volume control, and the option to watch together. A washing machine offers "Wash Laundry." Build Mode furniture, outdoor equipment, cars, and city objects all have their own interaction sets.

Some objects have interactions locked behind skill levels or life stage requirements. A surfboard requires Fitness level 3. Certain cooking recipes need a minimum Cooking skill. Children cannot drive cars. Locked interactions appear grayed out with a tooltip explaining the requirement.

The Join Mechanic

Many object interactions display a Join icon after the initial click. Clicking this icon opens a selection menu showing Zois who can be invited to participate in the activity together. The menu only shows Zois who meet two conditions: they must have an existing relationship with the active Zoi, and they must be currently present on the same property or lot.

If the desired partner is not on the property, use the Call Over feature first. Open the relationship panel (press R), select the target Zoi, and choose Call Over. The invited Zoi will travel to the active Zoi's location. Once they arrive, they will appear in the Join selection menu for cooperative activities. Call Over works anywhere in the open world, not just at your home lot.

Social Interactions

Clicking on another Zoi opens the social interaction menu. Conversation options are organized into categories based on the type of interaction. Each option has a mood and relationship impact: positive interactions raise the appropriate relationship bar and improve both Zois' emotions, while negative interactions lower bars and create bad moods.

Conversations display emoji icons representing the tone of each option: a happy face for friendly topics, a frowning devil for hostile ones, and a distressed face for awkward exchanges.

Conversation Categories

When you click "More" in the social interaction menu, conversations are organized into thematic categories:

Interactions are also organized by relationship type. The heart icon groups Romance options, the smile icon groups Friendship options, and separate icons exist for Business and Family interactions. Each relationship type has its own progress bar that fills based on the category of interactions used.

Conversation Mechanics

Not every interaction attempt succeeds. Whether a conversation topic is well received depends on several factors: who you are talking to, your current relationship level, both Zois' moods, relevant skill levels, and personality compatibility. Asking personal or probing questions too early (before trust is established) can backfire and lower the relationship bar.

Three skills directly influence conversation outcomes:

Mood also plays a significant role. Positive moods (Concentrated, Amused, Curious) improve interaction outcomes, while negative moods (Bored, Uncomfortable, Sad) hinder success. Both Zois should ideally be in a positive emotional state for the highest acceptance chance, especially for marriage proposals. Successful romance interactions trigger the "Aflutter" mood, which unlocks unique romantic options.

Locked Topics and Information Discovery

Some conversation topics display a Lock icon, representing information your Zoi has not uncovered yet about the other person. Players must tactfully inquire about another Zoi's traits, marital status, values, and career. Successfully discovering information adds it to the Relationship Log, which tracks everything known about each Zoi.

Be careful with probing questions. Some Zois resent prying, and asking about personal details too early in a relationship can damage your friendship bar. Build a solid foundation of friendly conversation before attempting to learn someone's secrets.

Value-Based Conversations

When a Zoi's values reach 60 or more points, additional conversation topics unlock within the ChitChat category. These include topics like "Value: Pleasure," "Value: Rule-Abiding," and "Value: Challenger." Using these topics fulfills "Wants to Talk About..." urges and resonates with Zois who share similar values.

Physical Interactions

Beyond conversation, Zois can engage in physical interactions that deepen relationships or express emotions:

Friendly Physical Interactions

• Hug: Available once a friendship reaches a sufficient level. Found in the Action category.

• High Five: A casual positive interaction available to friends.

• Share Earphones: Added in v0.4.0. A cooperative listening activity.

Romantic Physical Interactions

Romantic physical interactions unlock progressively as the romance relationship bar advances:

• Hold Hands: One of the earliest romantic physical interactions.

• Embrace: A close hug with romantic undertones.

• Kiss: Available at higher romance levels. Can be stolen as a surprise action.

• Set the Mood: The intimacy interaction, requiring at least Sweetheart romance level. Takes place in front of a bed, with the scene censored by a pink heart and blurred surroundings. Does not cause pregnancy on its own.

Negative Physical Interactions

• Shove: A physical confrontation that damages the relationship.

• Fight / Pick a Fight: Initiates a physical altercation. Causes nearby Zois to become afraid and may lead to insults from witnesses.

Mean and Negative Interactions

The Conflict category and various other menus contain negative interactions that damage relationships and lower karma. Known negative interactions include:

• Mockery and ridicule

• Demand departure ("Go Away")

• Yelling and insults

• Fake gift-giving

• Phone distraction during conversation

• Disrespectful facial expressions

• Threats and intimidation

• Crude jokes and name-calling

• Fighting initiation

• Sending rumors, malicious rumors, or pranks via the Smartphone

Repeatedly failing Friendship interactions or using mean interactions eventually creates a Foe relationship. Other Zois become wary, refuse acknowledgment, or mock the instigator. In marriages, sustained fighting, ignoring a spouse's needs, hostile text messages, and romantic betrayal can lead to divorce.

Child and Life Stage Interactions

Available interactions vary significantly by life stage:

Group Interactions

The v0.5.0 update introduced the Group Interactions system. Zois can be placed into groups, and group members prioritize interactions with other group members. Certain cooperative interactions are exclusive to grouped Zois:

• Group members can applaud and cheer for other Zois in the group.

• Children can use "Ask How to Draw Something" as a group interaction.

• Group formation encourages more natural social clustering at events and gatherings.

Multitasking

Also added in v0.5.0, multitasking allows Zois to perform conversations while doing other activities. Supported combinations include talking while eating, talking while using a computer, talking while reading, and eating while watching TV. Currently, multitasking is only supported for autonomous actions involving talking or checking smartphones.

Interaction Availability by Relationship Level

Many interactions are gated behind specific relationship tier thresholds. As a relationship progresses through its six tiers, new options become available:

At each tier breakpoint, a "Select Relationship" conversation option appears with two choices: a positive option (upward arrow) to advance the relationship, or a negative option (downward arrow) to regress it. Relationships do not advance past these gates automatically.

Trait Effects on Social Interactions

Each of the 18 traits fundamentally shapes how a Zoi approaches social interactions:

Traits influence which conversation options are available, which emotions are felt during interactions, which urges drive autonomous behavior, how fast the social need depletes, and how quickly relationships build. Traits cannot be changed after a Zoi is created.

City Settings That Affect Interactions

The Manage City settings (accessible via Game Options) include several sliders that affect interaction dynamics across the entire city:

• Friendships: Adjusts the pace at which friendship relationships develop citywide.

• Romantic Relationships: Controls how quickly romance progresses.

• Business Relationships: Affects business relationship building speed.

• Family Relationships: Influences family bond strength and development.

• Civic Consciousness: Affects how politely Zois behave in public spaces.

• Positive/Negative Emotion Control: Adjusts the intensity and frequency of emotional responses to interactions.

Each parameter can be set across 9 levels from Highest to Lowest, allowing players to fine-tune the social dynamics of their city.

Tips

• Build Friendship before attempting Romance. About 20% friendship progress is needed before romantic options appear.

• Match conversation categories to the other Zoi's personality. Intellectual types respond well to Thoughts; extroverts prefer ChitChat.

• Level Rhetoric for better first impressions and Charm for more successful romantic interactions.

• Use the Call Over feature from the relationship panel to invite Zois to your location before using the Join mechanic.

• Watch for locked topic icons. Unlock them gradually as trust builds rather than asking everything at once.

• Ensure both Zois are in a positive mood for important interactions like proposals. Feed, rest, and entertain them first.

• Value-based conversation topics unlock at 60+ value points and are the best way to fulfill "Wants to Talk About..." urges.

Automatic Interruptions (March 2026)

The March 2026 update introduced automatic interruptions. When a Zoi has an urgent need (critically low hunger, sleep, or bathroom), they will now automatically cut off their current animation or interaction early to address it. This creates a better "flow" of gameplay by preventing situations where a Zoi stubbornly finishes a long conversation while starving.

Automatic interruptions work alongside the existing autonomy system. When autonomy is enabled, Zois with urgent needs will interrupt themselves and address the need. When autonomy is disabled, the interruption still triggers, but the player must direct the Zoi to the appropriate action.