InZOI Takes the Lead on Life Stages

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On March 28, 2025, InZOI debuts in Early Access. As a fresh contender in the life simulation genre that could potentially challenge The Sims 4, it’s natural to draw comparisons between InZOI and The Sims 4. Although they have distinct characteristics, notably in terms of objectives and artistic approach, they both belong to the same genre and can benefit from studying each other.

A significant aspect of gameplay is the concept of life phases. Life phases determine both the duration and progression of a Sim or Zoi’s lifespan, along with the activities they engage in. This feature has been integral to The Sims since The Sims 2, and will be incorporated into InZOI during its Early Access period. One potential advantage that InZOI might hold over The Sims 4 is the inclusion of a life phase that The Sims community has long been asking for, which many feel is conspicuously absent in The Sims 4.

The Sims 4’s Life Stages

Since its debut in 2000, The Sims 4 has ruled the roost in the life simulation genre. However, it’s not without areas that could be enhanced. Initially, The Sims 4 didn’t include Toddlers, a feature they eventually addressed with a free update. Later on, Electronic Arts (EA) introduced Infants, a fresh life stage, and transformed Babies into Newborns – significant modifications indeed! The Toddler update was provided for free, and the arrival of Infants followed suit in another free update. However, most Infant-related content was concealed behind the expansion pack The Sims 4: Growing Together.

The Sims 4 currently has eight life stages:

  • Newborn
  • Infant
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Teen
  • Young Adult
  • Adult
  • Elder

Regardless of the numerous alterations in life stages since its launch, there remains potential for further enhancement, particularly in smoothing over the divide between Childhood and Teenage years. Some players have voiced concerns that the age disparity between Child and Teen Sims is quite pronounced, with Child Sims appearing around eight to eleven years old, while Teens take on a seventeen to eighteen-year-old appearance. Introducing an intermediate life stage could help alleviate this abrupt transition, as many users find it unsettling.

InZOI’s Life Stages

InZOI features a unique set of life stages compared to The Sims 4, boasting a greater number, one of which is an adolescence stage that encompasses the ages from eleven to fifteen. For its full release, nine life stages have been planned for InZOI, however, only six will be accessible during the Early Access launch. The remaining stages will be added later on.

The life stages for InZOI will be:

  • Newborn
  • Toddler
  • Child (Available in Early Access)
  • Adolescent
  • Teen (Available in Early Access)
  • Young Adult (Available in Early Access)
  • Adult (Available in Early Access)
  • Middle-Aged (Available in Early Access)
  • Senior (Available in Early Access)

In Zois, much like The Sims 4, characters will leapfrog into the next life stage instantaneously instead of gradual progression over time. To make these transitions seem more fluid and less abrupt for players, additional stages have been incorporated between each life stage. A long-requested feature by The Sims 4 community is the inclusion of an adolescent life stage, which sets Zois apart from its predecessor. It’s anticipated that the final life stages will be introduced in either May, October, or December of 2025 during the Early Access updates planned for those months.

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2025-03-23 16:35