In the world of life-simulation games, death has always played a curious role, granting a genre that is otherwise fairly cheery a more morbid tone. Deaths in life-simulators can be tragic, situational, frustrating, completely unexpected, or a reasonable progression after old age. Regardless of how players feel about their avatars dying, death is a vital system that adds depth, unpredictability, and tons of fandom discourse to gameplay. For veterans ofThe Sims, death is an old, familiar friend (or foe), with its many causes and the Grim Reaper’s dramatic flair. But withInZOIbringing a new kind of life simulation to the table, many gamers are prone to comparison.InZOIgoes head to head withThe Sims 4in many aspects, and death isn’t far behind.
WhileThe Sims 4offers many ways for Sims to meet their end (excluding paid Expansion and Game packs, which add dozens of more ways a Sim can meet theromanceable Grim Reaper—everyone mourns differently),InZOIintroduces nine unique death types that reflect a more grounded, modern take on daily life. Additionally,InZOIadds a few unexpectedly grim outcomes to everyday occurrences that add some flavor to the mix. The result is a system that may not be quite as outlandish asThe Sims, but one that arguably feels more emotionally and socially charged.
Setting The Groundwork For Comparison: How Sims And Zois Can Die
Before diving into a comparison of howThe Sims 4andInZOIapproach death, it’s important to outline what each game offers at a base level. Both games provide systems that allow for mortality, but their design philosophies differ greatly. WhileThe Sims 4leans into its flagship comedy,InZOItends to root its identity in realism. These systems shape how players experience consequences and challenges pertaining to life and death.
The Sims 4 Base Game Deaths
The Simsfranchise has always featured death at the front and center of how unpredictability reigns supreme. InTheSims 4base game, Sims can meet their end through a mix of logical and ludicrous causes. This wide range of options supports the sandbox chaos the series is known for, blending humor with high stakes in the most unexpected ways. WhileThe Sims 4’s DLCs add on about a dozen more ways to die, here are some base game reasons a Sim may move toward the light:
Sims who pass on don’t need to disappear from a household. They might be able to return as ghosts, giving players the option to take on a haunting new gameplay challenge. With theLife and DeathExpansion Pack forThe Sims 4, players can give new meaning to life after death if their Sims meet unfortunate fates.
InZOI Deaths
InZOI’s nine death typesfocus on grounded realism. Zois can die from starvation, disease, or pollution, as well as more socially resonant causes like loneliness or lack of recognition. Other hazards reflect a new layer of danger thatTheSimsfranchise has never attempted. These death types create a different emotional texture for players: one rooted less in chaos and more in the fragility of modern life. It’s a grimmer, but arguably more immersive, system that reflectsInZOI’s grounded tone.
Description
Car Accidents
AZoi may die if they are hit by a car, whether they are victims of an accident or are run over by another driver.
Disease
If a sick Zoi does not receive proper treatment for their illness, they may die.
Electric Shock
Zois who are not careful while repairing electronics may experience the shock of their lives, quite literally.
Without enough social interaction, a Zoi may die of loneliness.
Lack of Sleep
Death by exhaustion may occur if a Zoi does not sleep enough.
Old Age
Elder Zois who have reached the end of their lifespan will die of old age.
Pollution
Continuous exposure to pollution can take a toll on a Zoi’s health, causing them to die.
Slipping
A nasty fall on a wet surface can cause a Zoi to die.
Starvation
A Zoi that has not eaten for an extended period of time will perish due to starvation.
As of May 2025, Krafton has not added ghostly orparanormal life forms toInZOI. This makes a Zoi’s death feel painstakingly permanent, unlike the continuity or choices offered byThe Sims 4’s post-mortem gameplay. Although in-game prompts suggest that ghosts will be added on at a later point, this life state may not be available for every Zoi that passes. Ghost Zois, as explained by Nyx the Cat, sound more like punishments for having bad Karma in life rather than a way to continue gameplay.
The Differences Between Deaths In The Sims 4 vs. InZOI
While bothThe Sims 4andInZOIlean into dramatic, unexpected ends for their virtual residents, the way each game handles death reveals key differences in design philosophy.The Sims 4embraces death as an emotional and often absurd extension of gameplay that blends humor, fantasy, and consequence—which is why somany deaths inThe Simsare funny. In contrast,InZOItakes a more grounded and socially reflective approach, tying many of its fatal outcomes to real-life issues like pollution, loneliness, and overwork. These differences in tone and mechanics point to each game’s unique vision of what it means to simulate life—and death—in a virtual world.
A Matter Of Mood: Death By Emotion In The Sims 4
One of the most distinctive features ofThe Sims 4is its emotional deathmechanics. UnlikeInZOI, Sims can perish from sheer intensity. Too much anger, embarrassment, or laughter can push a Sim into fatal territory. While these may sound absurd (and often are), their addition is appropriate within the franchise’s long-running tradition of blending slapstick comedy with simulation. In contrast,InZOIskips the cartoonish edge and steers players toward more “real-world” outcomes. There’s no such thing as dying from too much laughter inInZOI, but death by loneliness or exhaustion is absolutely on the table, suggesting a more somber, grounded approach to emotional well-being.
InZOI’s Realism Sets It Apart
Of its nine death types, several mirror genuine health and safety hazards that modern society faces daily, from pollution to disease to car accidents. These additions help reinforceInZOI’s goal of creating a more socially aware and reality-grounded life sim. The inclusion of death by loneliness or lack of recognition also adds a layer of emotional commentary that’s less visible inThe Sims, which typically plays social neglect for laughs.Keeping a Zoi happykeeps these emotional deaths away, while emotionality could be the root cause of a Sim’s demise.
Where The Sims Still Reigns Supreme (For Now)
The Sims 4may not be as realistic, but it offers a broader and often more chaotic range of options. From bizarre plant-based deaths to meteor strikes, there’s a theatricality that remains central to its identity. For players who prefer the absurdity and randomness of aSim dying in a poolwithout a ladder,The Simswill always offer that flavor of chaos.
Moreover,The Sims 4’s emotional death mechanics add a layer of unpredictability. Players might not even realize their Sim is on the verge of cardiac explosion until it’s too late, or a family hangout may end abruptly when Grandma has told too many jokes at the table. This keeps emotional management front and center, begging the player to keep a close eye on the Sims. Even if deaths sometimes veer into parody, it still offers great gameplay opportunities tomakeThe Sims 4more interesting.
Shared Ground: Common Deaths in Both The Sims 4 and InZOI
Despite their differences in tone, both games cover the fundamental pillars of (virtual) mortality:
WhileInZOIdoesn’t currently include drowning or fires(TheSimsstaples), it compensates with more nuanced additions like death by slipping, a minor incident turned fatal if conditions are right. It’s an attention to mundane realism that signals a very different design philosophy.
