I have more thoughts.
One thing I’ve learned from this Sims Team - everything has to be taken at face value.
Definitely agree with this. When the sneak peek was announced and people started talking about cars and freed babies and open worlds my first thought was, "Somebody's going to be disappointed."
After seven years of having requests ignored can you really blame them for being disappointed?
I think people should know by now that things like open world or colour wheel is never going to happen. The core mechanics of the game is probably never going to change. Any new feature or pack they add will just add on to the core game. Expecting anything else will lead to disappointment. If you generally don't like the game then I doubt any pack or update would change that. They can improve it for you but it's not gonna make any core changes.
I think if they ever add stuff like cars and freed babies it will take awhile because I can imagine it taking a lot of work to make cars work in every single world. With babies idk but I think it might be difficult too since the lifestate already exists. Maybe it would break saves I don't know. I think because of how sims 4 was launched it made adding these things people want a lot more difficult. Because if they made the game with these features in mind then I imagine it would be a lot easier. But I know nothing about game development.
Oh yeah, I do understand myself that some things are just not possible and I'm alright with that but for the things that are possible like better babies, it's taking them so long. The things take time in a seven year old game excuse isn't really viable anymore, it's starting to come across as something they just can't be bothered to do and it's frustrating. So when people get told that they are getting a useless UI to play challenges instead of something that is actually highly requested then I can completely understand the disappointment.
I have more thoughts.
One thing I’ve learned from this Sims Team - everything has to be taken at face value.
Definitely agree with this. When the sneak peek was announced and people started talking about cars and freed babies and open worlds my first thought was, "Somebody's going to be disappointed."
After seven years of having requests ignored can you really blame them for being disappointed?
I think people should know by now that things like open world or colour wheel is never going to happen. The core mechanics of the game is probably never going to change. Any new feature or pack they add will just add on to the core game. Expecting anything else will lead to disappointment. If you generally don't like the game then I doubt any pack or update would change that. They can improve it for you but it's not gonna make any core changes.
I think if they ever add stuff like cars and freed babies it will take awhile because I can imagine it taking a lot of work to make cars work in every single world. With babies idk but I think it might be difficult too since the lifestate already exists. Maybe it would break saves I don't know. I think because of how sims 4 was launched it made adding these things people want a lot more difficult. Because if they made the game with these features in mind then I imagine it would be a lot easier. But I know nothing about game development.
Oh yeah, I do understand myself that some things are just not possible and I'm alright with that but for the things that are possible like better babies, it's taking them so long. The things take time in a seven year old game excuse isn't really viable anymore, it's starting to come across as something they just can't be bothered to do and it's frustrating. So when people get told that they are getting a useless UI to play challenges instead of something that is actually highly requested then I can completely understand the disappointment.
I mean we don't know if freed babies are possible it could be a problem because it's an already existing life stage.
I think it’s a decent addition to the game. I think it could have been better implemented by allowing us to make our own scenario. Possibly even have a gallery section where people can submit scenarios for others to download and try.
The only two things that will make me rethink my position is if mods are not useable during scenarios or there’s temporarily unlocking an item like the CAS t-shirts from the Sims of Summer Concerts. I think that they should at least have a kiosk or vending machine where you can buy them once the event is over for your current household. Same with build/buy items or collectibles from past challenges.
I actually think they should have a way to repeat or complete past challenges like the Growfruit Challenge or The Day of the Dead Challenge. They could put Jasmine Holiday as a contact on your phone. I would love to use these old challenges for some stories.
At this point, having tried one, I'm going to say... kinda yes? I mean, except the rags to riches one, none of the other scenarios revealed so far aren't really my sort of storyline, (and Rags to Riches really isn't my sort of plot either, but it is a good challenge) but that doesn't mean they're a bad thing. Just that the ones presented so far aren't my thing.
It might be interesting to see if some of the other Basic Plots (at least as per Christopher Booker) are also possible within the UI. A scenario where you're actually supposed to loose - such as in a tragedy like the Scottish Play - might be an interesting challenge.
I started the rags to riches one just to see. It's already annoying that the scenario UI pops up every time I travel to another lot. I'm going to be seeing that same "Earn 1,000,000" screen for a LONG time if I keep playing that save, many many many many travels to other lots later...
If people could design custom scenarios and custom rewards or consequences itd be cool. And be able to download scenarios through the gallery.
I've always wanted to be able to do a sort of "fill-in-the-blank" storyline where the player can choose the level of drama, who the villains are, who the protagonists are, possible obstacles and punishments, wildcards to randomize, etc. Sort of like a video game Mad Lib fairy tale with some flexibility to succeed, fail, or have an unpredictable ending. Almost like the Strangerville story but with more player input to select the themes. But that would probably require more concrete consequences and punishments to exist. Scenarios are like the barebones version of that, without the central plot and challenges. They're just a beginning and an ending.
Maybe if the Rags to Riches one had a conniving thief enter the mix to try to take what the Sim earns, or a gold digging Sim pretending to romance you for your money and then run off with half, or unexpected pregnancies for another mouth to feed, or an emergency trip that has to be paid for, or pickpockets, or mischievous Fairies with promises of old coins that are cursed, or a hidden pirate treasure hunt, or a fortune to be earned through treachery, or job losses from a boss who doesn't like the Sim, or a backstabbing fellow employee, or a requirement to work awful part time jobs to scrounge up enough to get by. Having unexpected plot elements thrown in would spice up the Scenario and actually make it a challenge and a sense of accomplishment (or despair, haha) when finished. It could have also used alternate endings of "financial ruin" or "you must marry for money to pay your bills" or "a Vampire takes interest and grants you the money but now you're enslaved to them forever!" Things like this would make Scenarios more spicy and go above the standard gameplay that many players already do.
For me personally I think its a good idea. I can't bring myself to cause problems in my sims life. With scenarios, there is a back story and when I play I see it as more of I'm here to improve there life. LOL its weird and hard to explain what I mean.
I can only see scenarios doing well if they can add enough verity to them and keep them updated. The sim Guru's seem to forget about new features when they add them. I hope they change the rewards to something better and maybe bring out a feature so anyone can make a scenario and share them.
Scenarios would he good if the game has a level of challenge. As of now the closest personality feature that has depth imo is the Sentiments feature. If you did the love after breakout challenge, after two days maybe when the sentiment expired, then sims might be happy again. Especially with the lack of challenge in emotions, as well as relationships being very easy.
To be honest, the Rags-To-Riches scenario is a fan-made challenge and the "finding new love after a breakup" scenario is just... isn't that something players are doing as well? They feel quite redundant, but they also feel like "wow they give us something to do in the game" albeit it's something we've already done. I don't expect them to stand out in terms of plot, if there's one. There should be a twist in these scenarios to make it spicier.
Ambitions > Island Paradise > World Adventures > Generations > Showtime > Seasons > Supernatural > University Life > Pets > Late Night > Into The Future
They're gonna have to make it a lot more interesting and meaningful for me to play it. I love playing challenges, but the ones I make myself in the game while I play are infinitely more challenging and fun than the shallow ones they added. If they add the option to edit and customize the scenarios, then yes I'd probably use them, otherwise probably not.
Allons-y!
---> Afterlife Game Pack Idea - improved ghosts, cemeteries and funerals, psychics, new skills, new career and more! <---
It's something I never wanted or will ever use for me this feature is a waste of development time that could have been used to make something of value you know those missing base game features people have been waiting for since 2014.
Sims 4 went from "You Rule" to "One of the stories we want you to tell"
> @EmmaVane said: > I think as they currently stand (from what we know of the Making Money scenario) they will be useful for console players as using money cheats, even to remove funds, voids Achievements for the save. > > For the rest of us it serves as an initial time saver, defined end goal and a visual reminder of what we are striving for with Rags to Riches style gameplay. It does give an easier start option too, if you choose a starter home. With the end goal being 1 million Simoleans, even that doesn't make it too easy. > > I'm more interested in seeing how the Finding Love After a Breakup scenario plays out. For instance: > * Do we create a couple in CAS and they get split up when starting the scenario? > * Does the game generate a random ex for our sim? If so, is gender preference taken into account? > * Does the game generate the appropriate relationship between the sims along with breakup moodlets/Sentiments or negative romantic traits such as Jealous or Unflirty etc? > * Are kids involved at all? Is this optional? > > > I'm also curious what other challenges can be integrated this way and how deep they could be coded. Some ideas include: > * History based challenges such as the Pre-History or Decades challenge have restrictions placed on careers and build assets like electronics etc. > * Generational/Settler/Apocalypse challenges like Decades challenge where restrictions change/ease up each generation/on completion of requisites with regards to careers, items, gender roles etc. > * Class systems/social hierarchy/occult covens or clans where trying to socialise with sims "above your station" or outside of your social sphere could be restricted in a similar way to trying to befriend celebrities and marriage between differing classes can effect status/reputation etc. > * Any challenge that uses complex scoring such as ISBI where you gain or lose points for various achievements or failures etc. Having scoring auto-tracked in game would fab and cheat proof. > > > In summary I see a lot of potential for built in challenge restrictions and (hopefully) scoring systems, that make life easier for players and challenge creators alike.
I just played the finding love after breakup. You can create two people in CAS, or put two together in cas. Do not form any household relationships with them, and move them into a house. It automatically sets them at negative for romance and friends. It gives them both divorce and sad moodlets.
You can still give your sims sentiments and traits. I gave the guy the hot head trait. There are three ways to win the scenario. In the left hand corner there is green flag that when you click on it, it will give you a pop down that tells you how. It is fairly easy to complete the scenario. I just wish they added a memory system. It does not keep score in any way. It does let you know how many sim days it took you to complete.
I have UI cheats installed and 4 column cas installed. Scenario will not work with UI cheats. I believe I can take it out to play the scenario, and replace it when playing without the scenario. There is a lot of things that got messed up with 4 column cas like almost invisible sliders and swatches. MCCC comand, Wonderful whims, and some other smaller mod scripts I have still work.
In my game I had the guy and girl yell at each other, and make things worse. When the welcome party arrived, the guy was fighting them. She had to get out of there. It didn't take her too long to find romance. I didn't give her any romance traits. They hit it off, and got married. She moved in with him, and got pregnant. Somewhere along the way I completed the scenario. It tells you on the notification wall, and the time it took. Once you clear the notification wall, I can't find it anywhere else. What was in the upper left hand corner went away.
You can still play from there. I decided to have her give him a kiss, and I was going to end the game. Well, something unexpected happened. He got bored, and shoved her away. I do have a pregnancy and wellness mod, and he didn't want kids. I have had other sims that didn't want kids, and never had that reaction. Anyhow I tried to have her kiss him again, and the same thing happened. I divorced them. She ended up moving back in with the hot head. She had no where else to go. She was there only a short time, when a friend visited. When he found out her plight, she moved in with him and his pregnant wife. Now she is raising her own child and helping with her friends child.
That is where I am in this story. I'm going to see how the kids grow up. Are they going to be enemies, friends, or more?
I would say scenarios is good for someone who doesn't play them. It starts you out, and gives just a little bit of guidance. That is not much at all. It does not get complex. It does not score you. The only thing it keeps track of is if you reach the goal, and how long it took you to reach it.
I haven't played the money one yet, but I bet it is about the same.
Do you like the scenerios update we're getting? Yes/No? Explain why but please be respectful of each other!
I kinda am interested in seeing how it applies to my gameplay. I'm curious. So I'm willing to give it benefit of the doubt. (Also the forum was a pain and wasn't letting me make a proper poll).
No I am not interested in these scenarios. I will not be using them. They should’ve been an optional extra if desired.
I can see why some like them and the concept. I do hope those that play with them have fun 😊.
I just love making my own stories, so I can’t see the appeal of them 🤷🏼♂️.
It's something I never wanted or will ever use for me this feature is a waste of development time that could have been used to make something of value you know those missing base game features people have been waiting for since 2014.
Yeah, I am starting to agree, it doesn't feel like scenarios have a lot of development behind it, it feels like Maxis are giving us scraps and expects us to do something with it. They are not giving us any packs but they are telling us to play the game anyway.
It's just a screen that's telling you to "here, go do this" and then you will get some starting conditions. It's so basic and barely improves the game.
I really don't get the impression that EA/Maxis are interested in improving this game anymore, they are only interested in trying to keep it alive.
Give me updates like cars, spiral staircases, moving babies, generations, etc. invest in the sims4, if you start to invest less then I myself am getting less invested. Maxis started this year strong with Paranormal, Bunk Beds, Cottage Living, I even kinda liked Dream Home Decorator, but I guess their money ran out?
Tried the "Making Money" scenario last night and my first complaint, why such a dull title for what really is Rags to Riches? The scenario zero'd out my sim's bank account for me, but so far I haven't seen it do anything more than add an icon at the upper left. Made over 200,000 in less then a game year and seen nothing from that new icon, no progress report or encouragements or some sort of tossing a wrench into my plans. So far the only real challenges have been from the newly installed Seasons pack and placing my sim on an empty lot in the empty world of Newcrest.
Not something I'm interested in, never liked actual "gameplay" challenges although I do enjoy building/decorating challenges, just to challenge myself to see if I could do something.
This will be a feature that will absolutely, 100% never be used in my game. But as long as it doesn't effect my game (ie: add any more bulky UI junk on my screen), I'm ok with them being added for those players who might like them.
I will be interested in seeing much more complex ones that the modding community comes up with. I feel like they will be much more in-depth than what EA could ever give us.
I'm reserving judgement as much as I can, and I'm planning to try all the scenarios available initially, before formulating an opinion.
But, thus far, I've tried their "money" scenario a bit, the one that starts you with 0 simoleons, and got bored almost immediately. I'm not sure I'm even going to go back into that save ever again, after playing an hour or so, it just doesn't feel like it adds anything to my regular gameplay, and as others have mentioned, it's easy enough to set your money at 0 with cheats if there's a particular challenge you want to do with that, and most of those challenges have a bit more to them than what was presented with the official "scenario."
I have a bit for hope for the "bad breakup" love scenario, as that's at least a little creative, and not something it's as easy to set up with cheats on the players end, but I'm having some bugs in CAS right now that I need to resolve before I'm properly ready to play it.
And then there's the new limited time toddler "challenge" which...yeah, is barely any challenge at all lol, and, for me anyway, seems pretty redundant. But I will probably still try it out as I said, just to make an informed judgment.
So far tho, idk, doesn't seem like much of anything, just like regular challenges players have been making for themselves but...less good lol.
No. This looks like sims mobile and if I liked sims mobile I would play sims mobile. Dont know what they are trying to do tbh... since scenarios are for a limited time
“Instead of putting players in the role of Luke Skywalker, or Frodo Baggins, I'd rather put them in the role of George Lucas.” - Will Wright.
Comments
Personality,depth,humor,consequences,lore,customization.
Oh yeah, I do understand myself that some things are just not possible and I'm alright with that but for the things that are possible like better babies, it's taking them so long. The things take time in a seven year old game excuse isn't really viable anymore, it's starting to come across as something they just can't be bothered to do and it's frustrating. So when people get told that they are getting a useless UI to play challenges instead of something that is actually highly requested then I can completely understand the disappointment.
I mean we don't know if freed babies are possible it could be a problem because it's an already existing life stage.
I've heard someone say it seems harder to get the two sims back together than it usually is.
The only two things that will make me rethink my position is if mods are not useable during scenarios or there’s temporarily unlocking an item like the CAS t-shirts from the Sims of Summer Concerts. I think that they should at least have a kiosk or vending machine where you can buy them once the event is over for your current household. Same with build/buy items or collectibles from past challenges.
I actually think they should have a way to repeat or complete past challenges like the Growfruit Challenge or The Day of the Dead Challenge. They could put Jasmine Holiday as a contact on your phone. I would love to use these old challenges for some stories.
It might be interesting to see if some of the other Basic Plots (at least as per Christopher Booker) are also possible within the UI. A scenario where you're actually supposed to loose - such as in a tragedy like the Scottish Play - might be an interesting challenge.
What is the premade lore update? That sounds interesting.
I've always wanted to be able to do a sort of "fill-in-the-blank" storyline where the player can choose the level of drama, who the villains are, who the protagonists are, possible obstacles and punishments, wildcards to randomize, etc. Sort of like a video game Mad Lib fairy tale with some flexibility to succeed, fail, or have an unpredictable ending. Almost like the Strangerville story but with more player input to select the themes. But that would probably require more concrete consequences and punishments to exist. Scenarios are like the barebones version of that, without the central plot and challenges. They're just a beginning and an ending.
Maybe if the Rags to Riches one had a conniving thief enter the mix to try to take what the Sim earns, or a gold digging Sim pretending to romance you for your money and then run off with half, or unexpected pregnancies for another mouth to feed, or an emergency trip that has to be paid for, or pickpockets, or mischievous Fairies with promises of old coins that are cursed, or a hidden pirate treasure hunt, or a fortune to be earned through treachery, or job losses from a boss who doesn't like the Sim, or a backstabbing fellow employee, or a requirement to work awful part time jobs to scrounge up enough to get by. Having unexpected plot elements thrown in would spice up the Scenario and actually make it a challenge and a sense of accomplishment (or despair, haha) when finished. It could have also used alternate endings of "financial ruin" or "you must marry for money to pay your bills" or "a Vampire takes interest and grants you the money but now you're enslaved to them forever!" Things like this would make Scenarios more spicy and go above the standard gameplay that many players already do.
I can only see scenarios doing well if they can add enough verity to them and keep them updated. The sim Guru's seem to forget about new features when they add them. I hope they change the rewards to something better and maybe bring out a feature so anyone can make a scenario and share them.
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/924539/features-that-needs-depth-and-ways-to-improve
> I think as they currently stand (from what we know of the Making Money scenario) they will be useful for console players as using money cheats, even to remove funds, voids Achievements for the save.
>
> For the rest of us it serves as an initial time saver, defined end goal and a visual reminder of what we are striving for with Rags to Riches style gameplay. It does give an easier start option too, if you choose a starter home. With the end goal being 1 million Simoleans, even that doesn't make it too easy.
>
> I'm more interested in seeing how the Finding Love After a Breakup scenario plays out. For instance:
> * Do we create a couple in CAS and they get split up when starting the scenario?
> * Does the game generate a random ex for our sim? If so, is gender preference taken into account?
> * Does the game generate the appropriate relationship between the sims along with breakup moodlets/Sentiments or negative romantic traits such as Jealous or Unflirty etc?
> * Are kids involved at all? Is this optional?
>
>
> I'm also curious what other challenges can be integrated this way and how deep they could be coded. Some ideas include:
> * History based challenges such as the Pre-History or Decades challenge have restrictions placed on careers and build assets like electronics etc.
> * Generational/Settler/Apocalypse challenges like Decades challenge where restrictions change/ease up each generation/on completion of requisites with regards to careers, items, gender roles etc.
> * Class systems/social hierarchy/occult covens or clans where trying to socialise with sims "above your station" or outside of your social sphere could be restricted in a similar way to trying to befriend celebrities and marriage between differing classes can effect status/reputation etc.
> * Any challenge that uses complex scoring such as ISBI where you gain or lose points for various achievements or failures etc. Having scoring auto-tracked in game would fab and cheat proof.
>
>
> In summary I see a lot of potential for built in challenge restrictions and (hopefully) scoring systems, that make life easier for players and challenge creators alike.
I just played the finding love after breakup. You can create two people in CAS, or put two together in cas. Do not form any household relationships with them, and move them into a house. It automatically sets them at negative for romance and friends. It gives them both divorce and sad moodlets.
You can still give your sims sentiments and traits. I gave the guy the hot head trait. There are three ways to win the scenario. In the left hand corner there is green flag that when you click on it, it will give you a pop down that tells you how. It is fairly easy to complete the scenario. I just wish they added a memory system. It does not keep score in any way. It does let you know how many sim days it took you to complete.
I have UI cheats installed and 4 column cas installed. Scenario will not work with UI cheats. I believe I can take it out to play the scenario, and replace it when playing without the scenario. There is a lot of things that got messed up with 4 column cas like almost invisible sliders and swatches. MCCC comand, Wonderful whims, and some other smaller mod scripts I have still work.
In my game I had the guy and girl yell at each other, and make things worse. When the welcome party arrived, the guy was fighting them. She had to get out of there. It didn't take her too long to find romance. I didn't give her any romance traits. They hit it off, and got married. She moved in with him, and got pregnant. Somewhere along the way I completed the scenario. It tells you on the notification wall, and the time it took. Once you clear the notification wall, I can't find it anywhere else. What was in the upper left hand corner went away.
You can still play from there. I decided to have her give him a kiss, and I was going to end the game. Well, something unexpected happened. He got bored, and shoved her away. I do have a pregnancy and wellness mod, and he didn't want kids. I have had other sims that didn't want kids, and never had that reaction. Anyhow I tried to have her kiss him again, and the same thing happened. I divorced them. She ended up moving back in with the hot head. She had no where else to go. She was there only a short time, when a friend visited. When he found out her plight, she moved in with him and his pregnant wife. Now she is raising her own child and helping with her friends child.
That is where I am in this story. I'm going to see how the kids grow up. Are they going to be enemies, friends, or more?
I would say scenarios is good for someone who doesn't play them. It starts you out, and gives just a little bit of guidance. That is not much at all. It does not get complex. It does not score you. The only thing it keeps track of is if you reach the goal, and how long it took you to reach it.
I haven't played the money one yet, but I bet it is about the same.
I can see why some like them and the concept. I do hope those that play with them have fun 😊.
I just love making my own stories, so I can’t see the appeal of them 🤷🏼♂️.
Yeah, I am starting to agree, it doesn't feel like scenarios have a lot of development behind it, it feels like Maxis are giving us scraps and expects us to do something with it. They are not giving us any packs but they are telling us to play the game anyway.
It's just a screen that's telling you to "here, go do this" and then you will get some starting conditions. It's so basic and barely improves the game.
I really don't get the impression that EA/Maxis are interested in improving this game anymore, they are only interested in trying to keep it alive.
Give me updates like cars, spiral staircases, moving babies, generations, etc. invest in the sims4, if you start to invest less then I myself am getting less invested. Maxis started this year strong with Paranormal, Bunk Beds, Cottage Living, I even kinda liked Dream Home Decorator, but I guess their money ran out?
This will be a feature that will absolutely, 100% never be used in my game. But as long as it doesn't effect my game (ie: add any more bulky UI junk on my screen), I'm ok with them being added for those players who might like them.
I will be interested in seeing much more complex ones that the modding community comes up with. I feel like they will be much more in-depth than what EA could ever give us.
But, thus far, I've tried their "money" scenario a bit, the one that starts you with 0 simoleons, and got bored almost immediately. I'm not sure I'm even going to go back into that save ever again, after playing an hour or so, it just doesn't feel like it adds anything to my regular gameplay, and as others have mentioned, it's easy enough to set your money at 0 with cheats if there's a particular challenge you want to do with that, and most of those challenges have a bit more to them than what was presented with the official "scenario."
I have a bit for hope for the "bad breakup" love scenario, as that's at least a little creative, and not something it's as easy to set up with cheats on the players end, but I'm having some bugs in CAS right now that I need to resolve before I'm properly ready to play it.
And then there's the new limited time toddler "challenge" which...yeah, is barely any challenge at all lol, and, for me anyway, seems pretty redundant. But I will probably still try it out as I said, just to make an informed judgment.
So far tho, idk, doesn't seem like much of anything, just like regular challenges players have been making for themselves but...less good lol.
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12-01-2017
Rebuilding Genetics Family Tree
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I thought they were going to be annoying pop ups during gameplay or if you entered CAS.