Sims Welcomes Competitor InZOI with a Playful Fruitcake Gesture

On March 28, 2025, the gaming community witnessed a heartwarming exchange between two giants of the life simulation genre. The official account of The Sims (@TheSims ) posted a delightful message on X, directed at inZOI (@PlayinZOI ), to celebrate the latter's Early Access launch on Steam. The post, which has since sparked conversations among fans, reads: "Sul Sul! We brought fruitcake!" accompanied by an image of a Sim holding a fruitcake at a doorstep, waving cheerfully. This friendly gesture not only highlights the camaraderie between the two franchises but also underscores the playful rivalry that has captivated life sim enthusiasts.

Sims Welcomes Competitor InZOI With A Warm "Sul Sul" Greeting

Sims Welcomes Competitor InZOI with the phrase "Sul Sul" which is a well-known greeting in The Sims universe, derived from Simlish, the fictional language created by game designer Will Wright and composer Jerry Martin for the original The Sims game in 2000. As detailed in sources like Worldwide Interpreting & Translation and Accelingo, Simlish was designed to simulate human speech without using real words, allowing for emotional expression and situational context. "Sul Sul" translates to "hello" (or sometimes "goodbye"), making it a fitting opener for The Sims to welcome inZOI into the life sim spotlight. The use of Simlish in this context adds a layer of authenticity and charm, resonating deeply with The Sims fanbase while introducing inZOI players to the whimsical language.

The Fruitcake: A Symbolic (and Humorous) Offering

The mention of fruitcake in the post is a nod to The Sims 4 gameplay mechanics, where fruitcake plays a unique role. According to Carl's Sims 4 Guide, fruitcake is a food item that never spoils, making it a practical choice for Sims to carry in their inventory. When a Sim likes fruitcake, it grants a "Happy +2" moodlet for four hours, filling about three-quarters of their hunger bar in just four bites. However, fruitcake is also a polarizing item in the game—some Sims have a "hates fruitcake" trait, which can lead to negative moodlets if they consume it. This duality has made fruitcake a running joke among The Sims players, often referenced in community discussions as a quirky and sometimes unwelcome gift.

By "bringing fruitcake" to inZOI, The Sims team is not only sharing a piece of their game's culture but also injecting humor into the interaction. The image accompanying the post—a redheaded Sim standing at a doorstep, holding a fruitcake with a red ribbon, and waving enthusiastically—further emphasizes the lighthearted tone of the gesture. It's as if The Sims is saying, "Welcome to the neighborhood—hope you like our weird little gift!"

A Friendly Rivalry in the Life Sim Space

The context of this post is rooted in inZOI's Early Access launch on Steam, announced by @PlayinZOI

 on the same day. inZOI, developed by KRAFTON, has been positioned as a major competitor to The Sims, with its ultra-realistic graphics and innovative features generating significant buzz. As noted in a PC Gamer article, inZOI topped Steam's wishlist charts leading up to its release, surpassing highly anticipated titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Deadlock. The game's launch post invited players to "step into inZOI," promising celebrations in the virtual cities of Dowon and Bliss Bay, where "Zois are dancing, laughing, and welcoming one another."

The Sims responded just an hour later, at 01:05 UTC, with their fruitcake gesture, setting the stage for a series of interactions between the two accounts. inZOI replied at 07:45 UTC, saying, "The table was waiting for that final touch.  Welcome!" alongside images of a Zoi holding the fruitcake at a party, surrounded by balloons, confetti, and a table laden with desserts. This back-and-forth showcases a friendly rivalry, with both games acknowledging each other's presence in the life sim genre while engaging in playful banter.

Community Reactions: Mixed but Mostly Positive

The exchange between The Sims and inZOI sparked a variety of reactions from the gaming community on X. Some fans, like @TheBoyXP and @TheElevatorRide, expressed joy at seeing the two franchises interact, with comments like "LOVE TO SEE THIS " and "THIS makes me happy!!!  Welcome inZOI ." Others, such as @john_gylor, noted the contrast between the official accounts' friendliness and the more heated debates among fans, stating, "y’all are fighting about inzoi vs the sims and they’re out here being unbothered besties."However, not all reactions were positive. @MsNiaImani humorously suggested throwing away the "nasty fruitcake" in favor of a white cake, reflecting the community's mixed feelings about the in-game item.

Meanwhile,@TheBlindGaymer and@zaguyaarts voiced their excitement for inZOI, with the former stating, "Move right on over. Not giving up on The Sims, but it’s gone be A LONG WHILE before I play again," and the latter playfully dismissing The Sims with, "Eew no! We playing Inzoi now." These responses highlight the competitive undercurrent among fans, even as the official accounts maintain a cordial tone.

The Bigger Picture: A New Era for Life Sims

The interaction between The Sims and inZOI comes at a pivotal moment for the life simulation genre. As detailed in the trending summary on X, inZOI's launch has generated both excitement and criticism. While some players appreciate its fresh approach and visual appeal, others, like@SimMattically, have requested refunds due to early access issues such as crashes and a perceived lack of depth. inZOI's developers, led by Kjun, have acknowledged these shortcomings in a heartfelt letter, promising improvements and expressing gratitude for the community's support.

Meanwhile, The Sims remains a monolithic franchise, with over 200 million copies sold worldwide, as noted in Worldwide Interpreting & Translation. However, the genre has seen few competitors over the years, making inZOI's entry significant. Other upcoming life sims, such as Paralives and Vivaland (as mentioned in GamesHub), are also in development, but inZOI is the first to launch and directly challenge The Sims' dominance. The friendly exchange between the two games suggests that this competition could be healthy, fostering innovation and growth in the genre.

Smart Zoi Hardware Requirements

Conclusion: A Sweet Start to a New Rivalry

The Sims welcoming inZOI with a fruitcake is more than just a cute social media moment—it's a symbolic gesture that marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life simulation genre. By using Simlish and referencing a beloved (and sometimes infamous) in-game item, The Sims team has extended a hand of friendship while subtly asserting their veteran status. inZOI's warm response, incorporating the fruitcake into their virtual celebration, shows their willingness to engage in this playful rivalry.

As both games continue to evolve—The Sims with its decades-long legacy and inZOI with its ambitious roadmap—the gaming community can look forward to more interactions, innovations, and perhaps even collaborations. For now, this fruitcake exchange serves as a reminder that even in a competitive space, there's room for friendliness, humor, and a shared love for creating virtual stories. Whether you're a Sim or a Zoi, it seems the life sim party is just getting started.