EA lack of creativity? «1234567…10...Next Go

Eliharb

Is anyone sensing a lack of diverse packs and creativity in making packs? For example, in 2 years we got: Backyard stuff, Romantic Garden Stuff and Patio stuff. Are any of these memorable!? Couldn't they stuff them into one?
Or for example: Parenting GP, Kids Stuff and the new toddler stuff that's coming this summer. I mean come on!

My issue is with how much time is wasted, entire chunks of the year on similar forgettable content that should have been included in one common theme or made room for more diverse packs! As a reminder, this is the team who thought apartments shouldn't be built by the player, no time for elevators, no time to make cars and carpools, no time to make new worlds, no time for the terrain tool, and so on and so on! Then why did you waste months on 12 garden packs!?

Does anyone else find it ridiculous that time is being wasted on useless similar packs?

Karallyne

To me, those packs don't have similar themes at all, aside from all relating to the outdoors.

I've never really understood the sentiment that "this pack, which was released in 2016, should have just been included in the pack that was released a year before it."

And I already know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I would rather have my RG pack over elevators and cars, any day of the week.

Hermitgirl

So what do you suggest for stuff packs that would be diverse?
We did get a bowling pack, a fitness oriented pack, a party pack, a movie/boho pack, a vintage glam pack, a kitchen stuff back, a spooky pack and a kids pack also (I probably left something out).
I'd like more retro themed stuff packs myself but not sure others would agree. I'd like a romance themed pack also but hoping for a gp/vacation to get that, but if it comes with couple dancing and bed cuddles I don't care what type of pack they put it in.
Basically everything I really want will probably come in a GP or EP... stuff packs are extras and niche.

candy8

I don't like any of the packs I have to agree we use to get more interesting stuff in Sims 3, the packs are badly lacking.

Paralee

The stuff packs are the least of our problems frankly. The one EP we get a year is completely unimaginative and totally lacking and we don't get near enough quality GPs to make up for that. I used to be excited for EPs because they came with SO MUCH. Now the only thing I'm excited for is Sims 5. And even then, I'm scared of what a total disaster they'll make that one out to be. It'll probably look more like it belongs on a mobile platform than this one does.

Neia

Most of the packs you mentionned are among my favorites, so I don't know what kind of more diverse packs you'd like to see, but I doubt they would beat Parenthood or Backyard for me.

I like the more mundane, day-to-day packs, which I guess may seem boring to other people. Spooky Stuff was a bit too niche for my taste, and I liked that they made Vintage Glamour bland enough to fit in lots of situations. I'd like to have seasons, vacations, school, hobbies, these kind of things. What do you have in mind for more diverse packs ?

DeservedCriticism

I'd argue this is a problem with the SP model itself. These things are coming out at an alarming speed. Dunno how many people realize, but we get one Stuff pack every 3 months. Yeah, I think if you had to name a new theme every three months, you'd run low on ideas too. This is the most frequent any one team has ever had to produce new ideas in the history of this entire franchise. I don't blame them so much as I blame this hideous model where Stuff packs almost seem like the main focus of the team.

The stuff packs are the least of our problems frankly. The one EP we get a year is completely unimaginative and totally lacking and we don't get near enough quality GPs to make up for that. I used to be excited for EPs because they came with SO MUCH. Now the only thing I'm excited for is Sims 5.

And here I'd argue the two are related. I view game development like a pie graph. You will have finite time, money and workers to dedicate to a project, so you must dictate how much is spent on each area of a game. A game that neglects it's graphics for example might make up for it with phenomenal gameplay, simply because they had more time to focus on gameplay or more developers better suited to work on gameplay. Here...? That stuff pack team is highly productive, while the EP team isn't. However, SPs are just ridiculously limited themselves. I mean we have confirmation SPs cannot handle bunk beds. They could give us 200 SPs, and those things would still fail to fill the void of content we often feel with Sims 4. So why are there so many...? I honestly think it was a mistake to focus this much time and energy on SPs, and I question how much this plan has taken away from EPs. I mean at the very least we would have more furniture and gameplay objects for EPs if it were not for the SP team. I fear they've knowingly done this though because:

1) It's easier to sell a $10 product than a $40 product, because so many customers rationalize "it's just $10" and don't bother evaluating the content or even reviewing it. This means they may make more profit off these despite the lack of content.

2) SPs are likely easier to produce than EPs, so they demand less resources to create, thus are less expensive to produce. In a single year we get four SPs and one EP. Total this up and it's an $80 value. How much were two EPs? $80s. They're still making the same $80 they used to make every year, but they're probably saving on production costs. I mean smash four SPs together and ask yourself if they seem as gameplay intensive as a GP or EP. The answer is a clear "no."

3) Possibly more enjoyable for the workers themselves. Perhaps SPs are not as work-intensive as SPs, thus they'll gladly opt to keep producing them since it's an overall easier job. Not sure, but possible.

Eliharb

@DeservedCriticism I think SPs are the TS4 equivalent of the TS3 Store sets. But those were much more diverse IMO. Farms, Modern Living, Fantasy, Magic, Country Sets, Music Addons, Casinos, Worlds, Build Mode Addons, Roller Costers, etc. Lots of CAS stuff as well. And they managed to do it WITH EPs and SPs coming out. We got content on a monthly basis, usually. Now it's less content, more time to make, less diverse themes, very mundane and repetitive just for aesthetic additions! I wonder why TS4 has a lower budget than previous games if the game is so successful.. #1 PC game ever.

Paralee

DeservedCriticism wrote: »

I'd argue this is a problem with the SP model itself. These things are coming out at an alarming speed. Dunno how many people realize, but we get one Stuff pack every 3 months. Yeah, I think if you had to name a new theme every three months, you'd run low on ideas too. This is the most frequent any one team has ever had to produce new ideas in the history of this entire franchise. I don't blame them so much as I blame this hideous model where Stuff packs almost seem like the main focus of the team.

The stuff packs are the least of our problems frankly. The one EP we get a year is completely unimaginative and totally lacking and we don't get near enough quality GPs to make up for that. I used to be excited for EPs because they came with SO MUCH. Now the only thing I'm excited for is Sims 5.

And here I'd argue the two are related. I view game development like a pie graph. You will have finite time, money and workers to dedicate to a project, so you must dictate how much is spent on each area of a game. A game that neglects it's graphics for example might make up for it with phenomenal gameplay, simply because they had more time to focus on gameplay or more developers better suited to work on gameplay. Here...? That stuff pack team is highly productive, while the EP team isn't. However, SPs are just ridiculously limited themselves. I mean we have confirmation SPs cannot handle bunk beds. They could give us 200 SPs, and those things would still fail to fill the void of content we often feel with Sims 4. So why are there so many...? I honestly think it was a mistake to focus this much time and energy on SPs, and I question how much this plan has taken away from EPs. I mean at the very least we would have more furniture and gameplay objects for EPs if it were not for the SP team. I fear they've knowingly done this though because:

1) It's easier to sell a $10 product than a $40 product, because so many customers rationalize "it's just $10" and don't bother evaluating the content or even reviewing it. This means they may make more profit off these despite the lack of content.

2) SPs are likely easier to produce than EPs, so they demand less resources to create, thus are less expensive to produce. In a single year we get four SPs and one EP. Total this up and it's an $80 value. How much were two EPs? $80s. They're still making the same $80 they used to make every year, but they're probably saving on production costs. I mean smash four SPs together and ask yourself if they seem as gameplay intensive as a GP or EP. The answer is a clear "no."

3) Possibly more enjoyable for the workers themselves. Perhaps SPs are not as work-intensive as SPs, thus they'll gladly opt to keep producing them since it's an overall easier job. Not sure, but possible.

If they want jobs where they get to lie around on their backs there's a few good street corners I could point them toward.
Frankly I hope everybody who worked on TS4 find that such a job is their only option. They deserve a good black-listing from the industry.

Karallyne

somethingstellar wrote: »

If they want jobs where they get to lie around on their backs there's a few good street corners I could point them toward.
Frankly I hope everybody who worked on TS4 find that such a job is their only option. They deserve a good black-listing from the industry.

What a necessary, and mature comment!

Paralee

Karallyne wrote: »

somethingstellar wrote: »

If they want jobs where they get to lie around on their backs there's a few good street corners I could point them toward.
Frankly I hope everybody who worked on TS4 find that such a job is their only option. They deserve a good black-listing from the industry.

What a necessary, and mature comment!

I know that was meant to be sarcasm but I'm going to take it as a compliment anyway and say thank you I agree

umbralshadows

romantic garden stuffs amazing whatre ya on op? ? hahahh

lasummerb

Eliharb wrote: »

@DeservedCriticism I think SPs are the TS4 equivalent of the TS3 Store sets. But those were much more diverse IMO. Farms, Modern Living, Fantasy, Magic, Country Sets, Music Addons, Casinos, Worlds, Build Mode Addons, Roller Costers, etc. Lots of CAS stuff as well. And they managed to do it WITH EPs and SPs coming out. We got content on a monthly basis, usually. Now it's less content, more time to make, less diverse themes, very mundane and repetitive just for aesthetic additions! I wonder why TS4 has a lower budget than previous games if the game is so successful.. #1 PC game ever.

@Eliharb I agree, I view the TS4 SPs as replacing the TS3 store, which I own most of the items/venues/sets/worlds. We certainly did get more content from the store. I don't mind stuff packs because I do see them as filling small empty spaces that aren't included w/ the EPs and GPs.

LeGardePourpre

The current phase : Adding the content which was missing in the basegame in 2014.

The Stuff Packs bring the base content, Laundry SP is a good example of that.

LeGardePourpre

Maxis is creative, just we didn't see all their potential yet, just it's a matter of time.

TheHarbinger_51

Karallyne wrote: »

To me, those packs don't have similar themes at all, aside from all relating to the outdoors.

I've never really understood the sentiment that "this pack, which was released in 2016, should have just been included in the pack that was released a year before it."

And I already know this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I would rather have my RG pack over elevators and cars, any day of the week.

I definitely dont care about getting cars. Elevators? Eh...

TheHarbinger_51

umbralshadows wrote: »

romantic garden stuffs amazing whatre ya on op? ? hahahh

I love my Romantic garden and all of my stuff packs really! No I do not want them to stop making "stuff" for us. I enjoy it

DJrax

To me, for the most part these packs feel like fillers.... There are some useful items that I may end up using, but for the most part, I am finding stuff I probably won't use.

JoAnne65

DeservedCriticism wrote: »

Dunno how many people realize, but we get one Stuff pack every 3 months. Yeah, I think if you had to name a new theme every three months, you'd run low on ideas too. This is the most frequent any one team has ever had to produce new ideas in the history of this entire franchise.

I don't think I follow you here..? Looking at Sims 3 they came up with new themes every three months as well (SP's and EP's but that doesn't make a difference does it, theme wise?) and on top of that themes for Store sets. I don't think Sims 4 has more themes than Sims 2 and 3 did so far.

Edit: ah, what @Eliharb said basically

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pepperjax1230

JoAnne65 wrote: »

DeservedCriticism wrote: »

Dunno how many people realize, but we get one Stuff pack every 3 months. Yeah, I think if you had to name a new theme every three months, you'd run low on ideas too. This is the most frequent any one team has ever had to produce new ideas in the history of this entire franchise.

I don't think I follow you here..? Looking at Sims 3 they came up with new themes every three months as well (SP's and EP's but that doesn't make a difference does it, theme wise?) and on top of that themes for Store sets. I don't think Sims 4 has more themes than Sims 2 and 3 did so far.

Edit: ah, what @Eliharb said basically

I am agreeing with both @JoAnne65 and @Eliharb I feel like they are the equivalent to the Sims 3 store

kremesch73

The sims 3 store was outsourced by EA. It wasn't created by the sims team, if I recall correctly. That may be why it feels like a hindrance since part of the team is basically doing it this time around.

EAs way of saving money, I guess.

BrittanyChick22

I agree, they waste time on giving us pointless stuff packs that add nothing to the game. Yet as simmers as and want this stuff instead actually gameplay.

pepperjax1230

BrittanyChick22 wrote: »

I agree, they waste time on giving us pointless stuff packs that add nothing to the game. Yet as simmers as and want this stuff instead actually gameplay.

What is so useless about stuff for kids and toddlers?Let me explain my self because I feel like toddlers and kids have gotten nothing in this game so of course I am all for packs that are for them because I am a family player and I like to have them at least have something to do and toddlers really haven't gotten anything since they got released. Parenthood is based on family play to.

BrittanyChick22

pepperjax1230 wrote: »

BrittanyChick22 wrote: »

I agree, they waste time on giving us pointless stuff packs that add nothing to the game. Yet as simmers as and want this stuff instead actually gameplay.

What is so useless about stuff for kids and toddlers?Let me explain my self because I feel like toddlers and kids have gotten nothing in this game so of course I am all for packs that are for them because I am a family player and I like to have them at least have something to do and toddlers really haven't gotten anything since they got released. Parenthood is based on family play to.

I didn't mention stuff for kids and toddlers, I'm talking about stuff packs like laundry or garden stuff. These things could have simply been added within the base game or an expansion pack instead of having its own individual pack. Things that really don't change game play not significantly.

LeGardePourpre

Keep in mind The Sims 4 is only 3 years old.

The Sims 3 Store wasn't more amazing in June 2012 though it began to be interesting with the Future and Magic themes.

- Worlds : Riverview, Barnacle Bay, Hidden Springs and Lunar Lakes
- Premium content :

1. Foot Massage Chair -> GP02 Spa Day
2. Spellbook
3. Windchimes -> SP08 Backyard Stuff
4. Uber Toilet -> replaced by Talking Toilet in EP03 City Living
5. Gumball Machine
6. Sleep Pod
7. Automatic Pet Feeding Station
8. Pinball Machine
9. Baby Swing
10. Cowplant -> TS4 basegame
11. Magic Cauldron
12. Voodoo Doll -> TS4 basegame
13. Crystal Ball
14. Rock Climbing Wall -> SP11 Fitness Stuff
15. Fountain of Youth
16. Tree of Prosperity
17. Not So Routine Machine
18. Hypnotizer
19. Ice Cream Machine -> SP03 Cool Kitchen Stuff
20. Appliance-Deep Fryer
21. Tablet -> TS4 basegame