inZOI, New Possibilities in Sim Game Marketing

Have you ever imagined a game world more realistic than The Sims? The players’ characters can develop to a stage where the boundaries of reality are blurred, which is crazy just to think about. Korean game publisher KRAFTON showed the public a new simulation game “inZOI” at this week’s G-Star 2023 game show and this game is widely regarded as the Korean version of The Sims.

As a 3D life simulation game, players can get a high degree of freedom in the sandbox simulation experience. At the same time, the powerful character appearance customization system of Korean games is also reflected in it. For example, various hair, skin color, hairstyle, pupils, and facial detail settings can be applied. The clothes in the dressing system are mainly modern fashion.

There are various professions in this game, such as students, store clerks, office workers, and firefighters. The age of the characters can be selected, and children and infants are also included. In addition, inZOI also supports players in arranging room furniture or raising pets. There are also emotional plots between characters to enhance interpersonal communication between players. The design of inZOI emphasizes having all the functions of simulation games and optimizing them. Although it’s still in the development stage, I will definitely buy the game when it comes out.

WHY?

I believe that the development of inZOI can increase the effectiveness of game marketing and become a model for the simulation game genre in the future. Because more realistic modeling is a major selling point of inZOI, the game has made technological innovations and focused optimizations in aspects such as face modeling, reflection of light sources, and images formed on reflective objects. Its AR technology looks better than The Sims in the demo video.

Imagining inZOI can collaborate with brands and create relevant virtual content once it is released. For example, clothes from Balenciaga, bags from Chanel, lipstick from Dior, and a BMW that can be driven. Real-life products can be owned by players in inZOI. Such cooperation can make the brand more harmonious with the game scene and increase the immersive realism of the game. It is even possible to add products that are still in the draft design stage and use players' data to determine preference for the design.

Brand advertising can also be integrated into game scenes. Displaying real-life billboards of the season in a virtual shopping mall. Virtual showrooms and campaigns allow brands to showcase their products or services. Players can earn virtual rewards by visiting these exhibitions.

Although similar strategies have been used in game marketing, most of them are still limited by the design of the game itself. The product effects that brands want to demonstrate will be weakened to varying degrees. Brands cannot change the graphics quality or visual style of the game and players can’t see 4k billboards in Minecraft. What I want to emphasize is based on the authenticity of inZOI’s interaction with reality, it can make more digital marketing strategies visual and intuitive!

I am not sure whether its Korean game style can be accepted by simulation game players around the world, but I am still looking forward to its release. I hope inZOI can achieve the demonstration effect in the demo and successfully cooperate with multiple brands.