Following last Friday’s update, “12.26.25 Fundamentals First & 2026 Roadmap,” I have updated the title to reflect that it was only the first installment. To be perfectly candid, the act of public sharing is still a daunting process for me. Every time I hit the “publish” button, a wave of nerves follows, which is often when minor oversights occur.
Today, I want to offer a deeper dive into the development trajectory and timelines for three pivotal workstreams that were not fully detailed in the previous announcement. These initiatives are currently in a phase where we are assessing both technical feasibility and market reception through various testing methodologies.
The “Beyond the Fundamentals: 2026 Roadmap” is being spearheaded by a specialized internal task force. This team operates in tandem with our core developers, ensuring that these ambitious expansions do not detract from the resources or focus required for ongoing improvements to the base game.
Our current R&D efforts are focused on four primary pillars: Modding, Multiplayer, AI-driven NPCs, and Canvastown (powered by the Fate Engine). Given the experimental nature of these features, please understand that project scopes and delivery dates may evolve as development progresses or as we refine our service model based on community feedback.
I encourage you to share your insights after reviewing these plans. Your perspective is a vital component in how we shape the future of inZOI. I am genuinely optimistic that 2026 will be a transformative year for the game, bringing it to a state of greater maturity and depth. Let’s look forward to the new year with high expectations.
— Kjun
P.S. While these materials are still works in progress, I felt it was important to be transparent and share our current vision with you.
2026 MODDING ROADMAP
Strategic Vision
Recognizing that Unreal Engine can present a steep learning curve, we are engineering a “Wizard-style” interface to democratize the modding experience. Simultaneously, we are prioritizing script-based modding. While this requires intricate integration with the game’s core architecture—which naturally dictates the pace of development—we are committed to accelerating this timeline wherever possible.
Milestones
- January 2026
- ModKit: Implementation of a JSON-based asset structure to eliminate data discrepancies.
- inZOI: Integration of a native, in-game mod management interface.
- March 2026
- ModKit: Extension of the CAZ Wizard to include accessories, animations, and facial modifications (including MetaHuman documentation).
- Workflow: Enhanced project management tools featuring asset merging and advanced search.
- Audio: Revamped Sound Wizard for more flexible audio replacement.
- inZOI: Enablement of “hot-swapping” for graphical assets, allowing mods to be applied instantly during active gameplay.
- June 2026
- ModKit: Introduction of vehicle customization and a migration to Unreal Engine 5.6.
- R&D: Testing content templates (such as specialized farming systems) and CLO platform integration.
- Platform Expansion: Investigating the feasibility of PS5 and Mac modding support, subject to platform policies.
- October 2026
- R&D: Pilot testing for multiplayer-compatible mods and an AI-powered data modding assistant.
- December 2026
- ModKit: Full rollout of Lua scripting support for advanced logic modding.
2026 CANVASTOWN ROADMAP
Strategic Vision
Canvastown is built on the philosophy of “shared narratives.” It allows players to capture specific life scenarios and invite others to experience those exact moments. This serves as the debut environment for our Fate Engine, a system we intend to eventually deploy across all cities in the inZOI universe.
A common hurdle in life simulators is maintaining long-term engagement. While emergent storytelling is a strength of the genre, it can sometimes result in inconsistent experiences. Canvastown addresses this by allowing players to curate and preserve their “best runs”—the most compelling story arcs—and share them with the community. Furthermore, its optimized footprint ensures a high-performance experience on a wider range of hardware while making every corner of the neighborhood feel like an extension of the player’s home.
Milestones
- March 2026: Technical synchronization of the Fate Engine within the Canvastown environment.
- May 2026: Porting Fate Engine capabilities to existing metropolitan areas and adding direct download functionality to the Canvastown Canvas.
- June 2026: Launch of Canvastown #1: A boutique village featuring approximately 40 customizable lots.
- October 2026: Launch of Canvastown #2: A pastoral, rural expansion featuring roughly 50 lots and a serene countryside aesthetic.
2026 inZOI-ONLINE ROADMAP
Strategic Vision
The multiplayer frontier for this genre is largely uncharted. We are currently navigating technical hurdles and defining the core audience for an online life simulation through rigorous testing. inZOI-online is being built alongside the base game to ensure feature parity, a process that is as complex as it is rewarding. We view 2026 as a collaborative year where we will use test results to refine the online experience in partnership with our community.
Milestones
- January 2026: Introduction of persistent, account-linked “Zoi” characters and session-resume functionality for hosts.
- February 2026: Launch of the web-based Online Plaza and Lobby systems, alongside dedicated online chat channels and “My Zoi” social features.
- March 2026: Personal housing customization with persistent cloud saves and the ability to host other players in your private residence.
- June 2026: Deployment of administrative tools for session hosts to govern game rules and player permissions. Support for official mods in a multiplayer environment.
- October 2026: Transition to large-scale dedicated servers, enabling massive concurrent player counts to explore major cities, socialize, and build communities together.
*Detailed video presentations of the roadmap are available via our official community hubs.
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