inZOI Fixes Bug, Prevents Running Over Children

The inZOI development team has officially patched a disturbing bug that previously allowed players to run over children in the game. This issue, which sparked immediate backlash from the community, has now been resolved in the latest update. Read on to learn more about the controversial bug, the developer’s response, and how inZOI’s hyper-realistic design impacts gameplay and tone.

inZOI Early Access Patch Removes Controversial Bug

Since launching into Early Access, inZOI has drawn attention for its stunning visuals and immersive simulation mechanics. However, players quickly uncovered a deeply unsettling flaw—characters could run over child NPCs with vehicles, causing them to ragdoll violently before dying. A March 28 post on the inZOI subreddit titled "I don't think that Krafton realizes that you can run over children in inZOI" showcased footage of the incident, sparking widespread concern.

While the developers had previously confirmed that Zois (the game’s characters) could die from vehicle collisions, they never indicated that this mechanic applied to children. In response, a Krafton spokesperson issued a statement to Eurogamer on March 28, clarifying that the behavior was an unintended bug now fixed in the most recent patch.

The official statement read: "These depictions are highly inappropriate and do not reflect the intent and values of inZOI. We understand the seriousness of this matter and age-appropriate content, and we are strengthening our internal review processes to prevent similar incidents in the future." Given that inZOI holds an ESRB rating of T for Teen, removing such content was essential to maintain compliance and ensure a responsible gaming experience.

inZOI Director Reflects on Realism vs. Playful Gameplay

Despite the controversy, inZOI continues to receive a "Very Positive" rating on Steam, with players praising its visual fidelity and attention to detail. Still, Game Director Hyungjun ‘Kjun’ Kim acknowledged in a March 31 interview with PCGamesN that the game’s commitment to realism presents creative challenges.

Kjun explained, "This was something we thought about a lot. With such realistic graphics, we constantly questioned how far we should take that realism. At times, we wanted to incorporate comical or lighthearted elements, but they didn’t quite fit with the grounded visuals, which was a bit disappointing sometimes."

The team has long expressed admiration for The Sims 4, particularly its whimsical and playful tone. However, inZOI’s pursuit of a lifelike simulation makes it difficult to include the same kind of exaggerated, goofy moments that define other life-sim games. Even so, Kjun remains confident in their vision: "We believe this level of immersive graphics will resonate with players, and throughout development, we’ve felt both proud and excited to bring this world to life."

While inZOI clearly surpasses The Sims 4 in graphical detail and realism, the developers are still refining the game’s identity as it evolves in Early Access. Balancing mature simulation with accessible, fun gameplay remains a key challenge as they aim to establish inZOI as a true competitor in the genre. For more insights into inZOI’s launch and potential, check out our full review below!