The karma system in inZOI works by assigning karma points to every decision and action a character makes. When a character reaches the end of their life, the total karma score will decide whether they find eternal peace or remain in the world as a ghost. If a character becomes a ghost, players will have the opportunity to help them seek redemption through specific actions, allowing them to transition into a new life. While redemption is not mandatory, the game will include mechanics that encourage players to perform good deeds.

inZOI has been introduced as the next generation of life simulations, where players take on the role of a god-like creator, shaping the lives of “Zois” in a highly customizable world built in Unreal Engine 5. The game offers deep personalization, allowing players to modify everything—from character appearances to entire cityscapes. It promises a realistic and unpredictable life experience, emphasizing emergent storytelling and a living, reactive NPC community.

Alongside traditional activities such as working, building homes, and maintaining relationships, inZOI also incorporates unusual elements. One of these is a cat named Psychet, who can influence the game world through mysterious devices. This blend of everyday life and fantastical elements makes inZOI a unique experience that is sure to attract fans of the genre.

inZOI will launch in Steam Early Access for PC on March 28 this year.

The post inZOI Will Feature an Intriguing Karma System That Encourages Good Deeds first appeared on IndieGames.

Inzoi is a life simulation game that allows you to create and manage your own virtual world. The game features two distinct settings: Dowon, an urban Korean-inspired world with four distinct seasons, and Bliss Bay, a warmer, SoCal-inspired environment. You can customize your Zois, build homes, and explore a variety of activities, all while navigating the challenges of weather and survival.

One of the standout features of Inzoi is its dynamic weather system. The game’s seasons and temperature effects add a layer of realism and challenge. In Dowon, you will experience the changing seasons, while Bliss Bay remains warm year-round. Zois must dress appropriately for the weather, as underdressing in freezing temperatures or overdressing in the heat can lead to illness—or even death if left untreated.

Kjun also highlighted the game’s clothing system, which allows you to select seasonally-appropriate outfits for your Zois. The game automatically adjusts clothing based on the weather, but players can also customize outfits to ensure their Zois are always prepared. This feature adds depth to the gameplay, as players must balance fashion with practicality to keep their Zois healthy and happy.

Inzoi is shaping up to be a strong competitor in the life simulation genre, offering features that even The Sims has traditionally locked behind expansion packs. The inclusion of seasons and temperature effects in the base game is a significant draw, providing a more immersive and challenging experience from the start. It’s poised to make a big impact when it launches in early access this March on Steam.

The post The life simulation Inzoi will introduce seasons and weather conditions from day one first appeared on IndieGames.

Despite rumors about a sequel to Hi-Fi Rush, the team has yet to commit to one. Studio head Colin Mack clarified that while the idea is being positively considered, no final decisions have been made. Creative director John Johanas emphasized that the team has a deep affection for Hi-Fi Rush and its characters, but they are also exploring new possibilities for the studio’s future.

Creating fresh, innovative games remains central to Tango Gameworks’ identity. Development director Kazuaki Egashira highlighted that Hi-Fi Rush succeeded as a new IP but warned against letting it become stagnant. For Tango, taking creative risks and embracing new challenges is a core philosophy. Johanas noted the importance of preserving the studio’s unique chemistry, which had been carefully nurtured over years of collaboration.

Currently, Tango Gameworks has about 50 employees and plans to expand to 100 by early 2025. This growth will allow them to focus on one major project while experimenting with smaller creative endeavors, similar to how Hi-Fi Rush originated.

Johanas also shared the lasting influence of Shinji Mikami, Tango’s founder who departed after the release of Hi-Fi Rush. Mikami’s collaborative philosophy, which prioritized team input and creative freedom, continues to guide the studio’s approach. Johanas described Mikami’s belief in fostering an environment where the team can create freely, comparing it to the organic growth of a tree rather than the controlled shaping of a bonsai.

The post Tango Gameworks: ‘Nema nastavka za Hi-Fi Rush u bliskoj budućnosti’ first appeared on IndieGames.

Producer Hungjun Kim explained that the decision to delay InZOI was not made lightly. After an extremely positive response to the character creation tool within InZOI, known as Canvas, the development team realized the importance of providing a polished experience to meet the high expectations of fans of this genre.

InZOI attracts attention with its realistic visual style, which sets it apart from other life simulations. With EA's The Sims 4 still a strong player in the genre and the recent fact that Paradox canceled Life By You, InZOI appears to be a title that could fill that gap. How playable this title will be and whether it will finally become a competitor to The Sims remains to be seen.

The post Krafton's life simulation InZOI has been postponed to March next year. first appeared on IndieGames.

Tango Gameworks is now part of Krafton’s growing portfolio, which already includes several studios like PUBG Studios, Bluehole Studio, and Striking Distance Studios. This acquisition marks Krafton’s first significant venture into the Japanese market, signaling its intent to expand further into new territories.

When Tango Gameworks faced closure, Krafton acted quickly. Maria Park, Krafton’s head of corporate development, shared in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz that her team immediately flew to Tokyo upon hearing the news. Krafton recognized that Tango had a strong history of creativity and innovation, despite the departure of its legendary founder, Shinji Mikami. Krafton believed that the studio’s collective talent would carry it forward.

The acquisition was not a typical one, as Tango had already begun winding down operations. Instead, Krafton re-hired most of the staff, with over 70 employees from the original team joining Krafton, and the company plans to fill additional roles to reach a team size of about 100 by early next year. Tango was already working on a sequel to Hi-Fi Rush when Krafton stepped in, and the team will continue to develop the IP, exploring new creative directions while maintaining the high standards of the original.

This acquisition marks Krafton’s first big step into the Japanese gaming market. Park shared that Krafton has been exploring opportunities in Japan for the past year, particularly looking for small to mid-sized studios with a passion for creating original titles. Tango’s acquisition is part of a broader strategy to find talented teams with creative vision, rather than focusing solely on large studios with AAA titles.

Park stressed that Krafton will not interfere with the studio’s vision but will provide the resources and support needed for it to thrive. This includes leveraging Krafton’s expertise in multiplayer and live-service games, which could open new possibilities for Tango’s future projects, including the development of online multiplayer games.

The post Why did Krafton save the Japanese studio Tango Gameworks? first appeared on IndieGames.

In an interview with Game Developer, Kim clarified that Krafton’s motivation for acquiring Tango was to maintain the studio’s creative spirit, even though its games haven’t been huge financial successes. “We wanted to maintain their legacy,” Kim said, highlighting that Tango had many innovative ideas worth pursuing, even if they weren’t making blockbuster hits.

Kim also shared that the acquisition cost wasn’t a major focus for Krafton. Although he didn’t disclose the financial details, he hinted that the price was neither very high nor very low. More importantly, the deal was not about immediate financial gain. “We don’t think Hi-Fi Rush 2 is going to make us money, to be frank. But it’s part of our attempt to take risks and challenge the market,” Kim explained. He emphasized that the studio’s future projects may not make a huge profit, but they should have the freedom to push creative boundaries.

Tango Gameworks, known for experimenting with different genres, is a perfect fit for Krafton’s broader strategy. Kim believes that allowing developers to take risks and create unique games, even if they don’t always succeed financially, is crucial for long-term success. He described video game development as a “hit or miss” industry but noted that having a diverse lineup of projects helps reduce the risk. “One of them might work out,” Kim said, expressing optimism about the studio’s future.

The acquisition of Tango Gameworks does not include all of the studio’s IPs. Krafton acquired the rights to Hi-Fi Rush but left behind other franchises like The Evil Within and Ghostwire Tokyo, as including those in the deal would have been too complicated. Kim believes that what fans really care about are Hi-Fi Rush sequels, and Krafton is eager to support the team in developing more games within that universe.

The post Izvršni direktor Kraftona o preuzimanju Tango Gameworksa: ‘Kreativan potez, a ne financijski’ first appeared on IndieGames.

In the second quarter alone, KRAFTON generated €472 million (707 billion KRW) in sales and an operating profit of €222 million (332.1 billion KRW), marking year-on-year growth of 82.7% and 152.6%, respectively.

KRAFTON credits this growth to the continued success of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS, which saw a 40% increase in monthly active users and a doubling of paying users. The company also expanded its portfolio by investing in 11 game studios in the first half of the year, focusing on new IPs like Dark and Darker Mobile and inZOI.

Looking ahead, KRAFTON plans to accelerate growth through in-game updates and new collaborations, such as a partnership with Lamborghini for PUBG. The company is also preparing to launch Dark and Darker Mobile and inZOI later this year, with plans to showcase these titles at gamescom in Germany.

The post KRAFTON Reports Record Sales and Profits for First Half of 2024 first appeared on IndieGames.

In April, Xbox revealed plans to shut down four Bethesda studios: Tango Gameworks, Arkane Austin (known for Redfall), Mighty Doom developer Alpha Dog, and support studio Roundhouse Games. Tango Gameworks appeared to have closed its doors in June, with developer Takeo Kido sharing photos on social media, marking what he described as the studio’s final day.

However, South Korean publisher KRAFTON, which owns PUBG Studios and The Callisto Protocol developer Striking Distance, has now stepped in and acquired Tango Gameworks, seemingly saving the studio. Tango Gameworks, founded in 2010, is best known for the rhythm action game Hi-Fi RUSH, as well as the survival horror series The Evil Within and the action-adventure game Ghostwire: Tokyo. This studio became part of the Xbox family when ZeniMax was acquired in 2021.

Hi-Fi RUSH has been a particular success for Tango Gameworks, earning widespread praise and ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews on Steam. The game has also won several prestigious awards, including ‘Best Animation’ at the BAFTA Games Awards, ‘Best Audio Design’ at The Game Awards, and ‘Best Audio’ at the Game Developers’ Choice Awards.

“As part of this strategic agreement, KRAFTON intends to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks”, said the publisher in the official statement, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi RUSH IP and explore future projects. The existing game catalog, including The Evil Within, The Evil Within 2, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the original Hi-Fi RUSH, will remain unaffected.

The post KRAFTON Acquires Tango Gameworks and Hi-Fi RUSH first appeared on IndieGames.