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Live Mode - Version 10 vs Version 11
Oct 29, 2026, 12:54 AM
Reconcile current gameplay rules with released system updates.
Oct 29, 2026, 02:38 AM
Correct image subjects, captions and unusable or branded illustrations.
11Overview22Live Mode is the primary gameplay mode in inZOI where the life simulation takes place. After creating a Zoi in the Character Studio and selecting a home, players enter Live Mode to control their Zois' daily lives. This is where all real-time simulation happens: needs deplete, relationships develop, careers progress, and the world moves forward. It contrasts with Build Mode, which pauses time and focuses on construction and decoration.44Live Mode runs on a configurable real-time clock. Each in-game day defaults to 48 minutes of real time (changed from 96 minutes in v0.4.0), and seasons cycle every 7 in-game days. Time passes continuously unless paused, and players direct their Zois through daily routines, social interactions, career tasks, and leisure activities.66Entering and Exiting Live Mode88Live Mode is the default state after loading a household. To switch to Build Mode, press I on the keyboard or click the Build Mode icon in the lower right corner of the screen. To return from Build Mode to Live Mode, use the upper-left menu and select "Save and Exit." Live Mode can also transition into Edit City mode by pressing M to open the City Map and selecting the City Appearance tab.1010Time Controls and Speed Settings1313The Time Panel in the bottom-left of the screen provides speed controls. Players can pause the simulation or speed it up to watch events unfold faster. There is also a manual slider that can push the speed beyond the preset buttons.1515SpeedMultiplierKeyboard ShortcutPause0x0 (or Esc)Slow1x1Normal1.5x2Fast3x3Very Fast5x4Maximum (slider)Up to 10xDrag slider beyond 5x1717Movement controls and the autonomy toggle are disabled when playback speed exceeds 5x. At 8x speed and above, Zois may neglect self-care and can die from unmet needs. A special 30x time scale activates automatically when all household Zois are asleep between 22:00 and 06:00.1818Day Length Options2020The length of each in-game day can be configured in Game Options under Simulation. This affects how quickly Zois age and how long seasons last.2222SettingReal Time per In-Game DaySeason Duration (Real Time)48-minute day (default)48 minutes~5 hours 36 minutes96-minute day96 minutes~11 hours 12 minutesLong4 hours~28 hoursVery Long24 hours~7 days2424Camera Controls2525Live Mode uses a third-person camera that follows the active Zoi. Several camera modes are available for different situations.2727ControlActionLeft Click + HoldPan cameraRight Click + HoldRotate camera viewMouse WheelZoom in and outTabToggle between top-down and shoulder camera perspectivesCtrl + TabFree Camera modeQ / E (Free Camera)Move camera up and downFFocus camera on active characterHome / EndAdjust wall visibilityPage Up / DownChange floor view level2929In Free Camera mode (Ctrl + Tab), the camera detaches from the active Zoi and can be moved freely around the world. This is useful for exploring neighborhoods or framing screenshots in Photo Mode.3030Movement and Interaction Controls3232Players control their active Zoi using keyboard and mouse. Direct movement with WASD will cancel any autonomous actions the Zoi was performing.3434ControlActionW / A / S / DMove character (cancels autonomous actions)Shift + MovementRunLeft ClickInteract with objects, other Zois, or command movementSpaceSwitch between active Zois in the householdTToggle autonomy on or offPOpen SmartphoneROpen relationships menuOOpen Zoi CardMOpen City MapIEnter Build ModeEscOpen game menu or pauseCtrl + Shift + UHide or show entire UI3636Autonomy (Free Will)3737The autonomy system determines whether Zois act on their own or only follow player commands. Press T to toggle it, or click the toggle near the Needs display.3939A visual indicator appears above each Zoi's head: a cat's eye symbol. A white, open eye means autonomy is on; an orange, closed eye means autonomy is off. Each Zoi's autonomy can be toggled independently.4141Autonomy On: The Zoi independently manages their own needs, eating when hungry, sleeping when tired, socializing, and completing work tasks. Their behavior is influenced by their traits and preferences.Autonomy Off: The player controls every action. You must manually monitor all needs. Neglecting a Zoi with autonomy off can lead to death.4343Autonomy cannot be toggled when the game speed is above 5x. For new players, leaving autonomy on is recommended so Zois handle basic self-care while you learn the interface.4545Needs Panel4747The Needs panel displays eight gauges representing your Zoi's physical and mental well-being. These gauges deplete over time and must be replenished through various activities. Double-clicking a need prompts the Zoi to automatically seek the fastest way to fulfill it.4949NeedCategoryHow to FillHungerPhysicalCook meals, eat snacks from fridge, visit restaurantsHygienePhysicalTake showers or bathsSleepPhysicalSleep in a bed, nap on a sofaBathroomPhysicalUse toilets (public restrooms available at most venues)FunMentalEngage in hobbies, exercise, play games, watch TVSocialMentalCall friends, meet new people, attend social eventsRecognitionMentalGain recognition through social interactions, tied to karmaEnergyMentalRest in chairs (does not require sleep)5151Needs are interconnected. A hungry Zoi loses Energy faster. A Zoi with low Social may find less Fun in activities. If Hunger or Sleep reaches zero and stays there, the Zoi can die. If Social drops too low, the Zoi may run away from home permanently.5252Emotions5454The emotion system in Live Mode tracks your Zoi's emotional state through 17 core emotions with over 40 total variations at different intensities. Emotions appear as colored dots under the Needs panel. Multiple emotions can affect a Zoi simultaneously, but only the most intense one becomes the active emotion.5656Emotions directly affect skill learning speed. For example, a Concentrated Zoi improves Fitness and Critical Thinking faster, while a Curious Zoi picks up Art and Coffee Craft more quickly. Negative emotions like Annoyed or Sad slow down certain skills and drain needs faster.5958Urges6160The urge system generates spontaneous desires based on your Zoi's traits, ambitions, and current situation. Up to four urges can be active at any time, each with an expiration timer. Fulfilling urges grants Zoi Coins and temporary mood boosts. The urge UI panel can be repositioned by dragging it around the screen.6362Smartphone6564Press P to open the Smartphone, which is the central hub for managing your Zoi's life outside of direct interactions.6766AppFunctionMessagesText conversations with other ZoisContactsManage relationships and communicationScheduleView and edit weekly schedule, work and school timesCity MapView points of interest, access fast travelDream CarPurchase and manage vehiclesPocket MarketBuy and sell items, hire services via Pocket MarketEventsCreate parties, dates, and weddingsSchoolView schools and manage schoolworkCareerBrowse and apply for jobsNewsRead local news and announcements6968Driving Controls7069When your Zoi gets into a vehicle, the control scheme changes to driving mode. Vehicles can be purchased through the Dream Car phone app or summoned when away from home.7271ControlActionWAccelerateSBrake or reverseA / DSteer left and rightTabToggle between first-person and third-person driving view7473Pressing Tab while driving switches to a first-person cockpit view for a more immersive experience. Players can also pick up other Zois by driving alongside them.7574UI Layout7776The Live Mode interface consists of several draggable panels that can be repositioned around the screen. Positions may reset between game loads during Early Access.7978UI ElementLocation (Default)DescriptionNeeds PanelBottom areaEight gauges showing physical and mental needsEmotion GaugeBelow NeedsColored dots showing active emotionsUrges PanelDraggableUp to four active urges with timersSkills WindowDraggableCurrent skill levels and progressTime PanelBottom-leftDay, time display, and speed controlsFamily PortraitsLeft sideHousehold member icons (click or Space to switch)Zoi PortraitTop areaActive Zoi info with phone icon nearbyAutonomy EyeAbove Zoi's headWhite (on) or orange (off) eye iconBuild Mode IconLower rightClick to enter Build ModePsycat's GuideBottom rightBook icon for help, money cheat, emergency rescue8180Psycat's Guide8281The Psycat's Guide is a book icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen. It provides three functions:8483Customer Support: Links to official help resources and the community forum.Money Cheat: A quick button that grants 100,000 Meow per click with unlimited uses. Using this disables achievements.Emergency Rescue: Teleports a stuck Zoi back to a safe location. Useful when pathfinding breaks.8685Cheat Console8887After enabling cheats through Psycat's Guide, open the cheat console with Ctrl + Shift + C. The console accepts various commands for testing and creative play. Using cheats disables achievements for that save file.9089Cheat CommandEffectaddMoney [amount]Add Meow currencyaddMeowCoin [amount]Add Meow Coins (premium currency)setNeedsFullFill all needs to maximumfreezeAllNeeds [true/false]Prevent needs from depletingtimeSpeed [number]Set game speed (up to 30x)stopAging [true/false]Prevent Zois from agingimmortalZoi [true/false]Prevent active Zoi from dyingsetSkillLevel [skill] [level]Set a skill to a specific levelJobPromotionAdvance one career levelsetRelationshipFull [Zoi ID]Max out relationship with a specific ZoichangeSeason [season]Change the current seasoncontrolWeather [type] [level]Change weather conditionsinstantCleanClean the entire lot immediatelystopUtilitybills [true/false]Disable utility billsgetBabyWith [Zoi ID]Start pregnancy with a specific ZoihelloMyAngelTrigger instant birth9291Tips and Strategies9392Start with one Zoi. Managing a single household member is much easier while learning the interface. Add more Zois once you are comfortable with the controls.Review the schedule after character creation. The v0.2.0 update stopped automatically generating fixed schedules for player Zois. The optional Auto-Generate Player Family Schedules setting is still available; its new-game scheduling behavior was fixed in v0.3.0. Review generated entries in the Schedule app and remove any you do not want.Check household cleanliness. The v0.10.0 update rebalanced dirt accumulation around cleaning once every 2 to 3 in-game days. Use mops as needed, or hire a cleaner through Pocket Market. Alternatively, adjust the city sanitation settings in City Management Settings to reduce dirt accumulation.Double-click needs. Double-clicking any need gauge sends the Zoi to automatically address it through the fastest available option.Avoid speeds above 5x with autonomy off. At 8x speed and above, Zois may neglect basic self-care and die. Only use high speeds when all household Zois have autonomy enabled and full needs.Use the Library for skills. Reading skill books at the Library is one of the most efficient ways to level up skills.Explore on foot. Unmarked locations and discovery points do not appear on the City Map. Walk or drive around Dowon, Bliss Bay, and Cahaya to find hidden spots.Watch the weather. Dress Zois appropriately for the season. They can freeze to death in winter without warm clothing, or get sick from overdressing in summer.Open a bank account early. Find an ID Scanner terminal at any bank to open an account. This lets you deposit money safely, take out loans, and earn interest.Use the Emergency Rescue button. If a Zoi gets stuck on furniture or trapped in a room, the Emergency Rescue in Psycat's Guide will teleport them to safety.