This site has entered read-only mode as of July 18th. The new Forums.EA.com are now live.

TheoryCrafting: The Sims 4 Edition

Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
edited December 2014 in The Sims 4 Ideas Corner
I've done some theorycrafting before, so I'm no stranger to outlandish ideas. However, I've based my theorycrafting in TES other than some other game.

Time to change that!

This time, I'm going to tackle The Sims 4, and look into the near future for the game. So, let's get started:

Pools: This one was pretty obvious for me. The pool for the Sims 4 will not be in-game at launch, but that doesn't mean that it won't be in the game at all. To start, certain things need to change with the pool system that was present in The Sims 3. One such change is variable depth. In Late Night, the pool only had one depth, which was about the same depth as making a basement under your house. This may have been a technical issue, but that is no excuse for the Sims 4, as it runs on an improved engine. You should be able to change the depth of the pool at different spots, and smooth it out like terrain. This adds the opportunity to add walk-in pools in later patches. Also, elevated pools. This construct could only be done with cheat codes, a process that was eventually very complicated and hard to memorize. It would be rather nice if the pools could interconnect via a waterfall created by the elevated pool above into the pool below, without cheats. It would also be nice if, also without cheats, you could create above-ground tanks using the pool system. This could add an additional layer of customization for your lots. Also, add the ability for Sims to go underwater to take advantage of the variable depth. Even in Island Paradise, it was absent...

Careers: It's obvious that careers are going to be in-game. How many there will be at launch is the question. I think there needs to be an expansion on the amount of careers in the Sims 4. First off, if there is a pets expansion, Pet careers need to return. They were present in the Sims 2, but the only pet career in the Sims 3 was with the horse, but it required a Sim to also be in the field. Try to bring some of the old careers back, as well as add some new ones. One such career could be (interestingly enough) is acting, as animals have been used as actors quite a bit in recent years.
As for other careers, there should be references to modern culture and jobs. One such job could be tied to the recent YouTuber boom (just an example. I do my own videos, so I'm biased on this subject). Others could produce more branches, such as Film creating an Animation branch, and the Scientist producing the Biologist and Chemist branches (as far as I can see, there aren't any branches in that field). A lot can be taken from modern classifications.

Cultural Styles: This may be a controversial subject, but I think more cultural clothing needs to be added to the game. Cultures could include the following: English, Scottish, African, European, Indian, Native American, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Tropical, Irish, Arctic, and, perhaps, futuristic (Into the Future comes to mind...). Also, add hairstyles, hats, and other accessories that are culturally respective. This is a minor detail that makes a huge difference for most.

Natural/Artificial Cave Construction: This... idea... rocks! I can't believe the only time you could explore a cave system was in World Adventures, and even then it didn't feel like a true cave. What I would like to see is a way to create custom systems right under your home (or, make it your home!). This idea comes down to how the cave systems would work. Would they be modified like the terrain? Or would it be modified like it was with the basements in the Sims 3. For those who prefer to live in nature, this would be a god-send when it comes to creating such Sims. You should also be able to free-place rock so it felt more natural, and create unique, cave based floor patterns to top it off. It would be even more enjoyed when paired with an inevitable Supernatural Expansion. Speaking of...

Occult Sims: If there was one thing that somewhat disappointed me with the Sims 3, it wad that the Occult Sims felt unloved by EA, and, painfully, bland. That doesn't mean they weren't great ideas. Let's look at examples (Open Wikia):

Aliens: too generic, make them more unique
Ghost: was awesome, but with Supernatural, they were rather un-unique.
Mummy: Looking at it, it really doesn't need to be changed...
Vampire: Again, too generic
Imaginary Friend: Re-add and overhaul. A doll? Really?
Unicorn: Add to game, but add variants.
Genie: I could care less. Add him anyway...
Werewolf: Uh... it sucked. Please make them more wolf-like. And screw the classic wolfman depiction!
Witch: This needs to be changed to a different title. Not all magic users are technically Witches.
Fairy: More wing types, definitely. Otherwise, the depiction was one of the few Occult Sims to get it right.
Mermaid (I prefer Mersim, nowadays): I hated the design. The female design was okay, but the male design needs a real overhaul! I actually am currently looking for a true model overhaul to share. Just look for "Modding the Sims: Creating Alternate Model for Occult Life States" to see what I mean.
Zombie: Please, no more PvZ references. It's ruining the reputation.
Plantsim: Perhaps, more... plantlike?

To finish off, there is also room for more Occult States. Here are a few examples, as well as some thoughts on their appearances currently in-game:

Dragons: Now, Dragons do exist in the Sims 3 via the Dragon Valley World Pack. These dragons were basic, by all means, but what if the Dragons were much... much, bigger. Dragons have also been known in Fantasy to take on multiple illusionary forms, from ravens to even people. This fact can be implemented into a possible Occult Sim. The Sim could still carry Draconic features with him to his Human form, and can revert to a Dragon form at any chosen time outdoors. Or, if you are really devious, make it a Full Moon transformation! Weredragon for the win! You could also even aim for Half-Dragons, who aren't as big but are just as comfortable in both forms, and can freely enter each form without any repercussions. It also adds an interesting story element.
Elves: Elves, just like Dragons, were implemented in Dragon Valley, but, looking at them, I was rather disappointed. They weren't even elves, just deep blue Sims. Try to get the Elves right this time around, and make them playable. There really isn't much to them, just give them a natural affinity to magic.
Immortal: Less of a Life State and more of a trait, an Immortal is someone who is unable to die. They live forever, and generally don't enter the Elder Life Stage. They also can't be killed in any form or fashion. This can be a boon, but it can also be a curse. This means anything that all methods of killing an Immortal are fruitless, and it also means they have to live with their losses, even the loss of someone they hold dear. I mark this as more of a trait because Immortals could be anyone, so it can mix in with any other life state. It also adds a bit of a story element, as your Sim must learn to accept loss, or go insane trying. If anyone remembers Albido, you know what I'm talking about.

That's all I can think of, as of right now. Maybe more will come up in the future.

Neighborhoods: As of the release of this thread, there are two known Neighborhoods: A Valley Suburbia, and a Desert Suburbia. There is definitely room for more. I think there should be one or more of the following: A Forest County (Moonlight Falls), A Tropical Island Chain (Like Isle Paradiso), a Temperate Island Chain, a Frozen Island Chain, an Alaskan Town, A Small City, A Heavy City, A Floating City (High Fantasy Element), A Dystopia, A Utopia, and a Port Town. No real order intended...

And, as for now, that's it. If I missed anything you feel needs to be filled up, let me know in this thread, and, while you're at it, try and do some theorycrafting yourself if you are ambitious. Anyways, Happy Simmin'.
My YouTube Channel
Draconic Gaming

DeviantArt Page
Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

Some of my Threads:
8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
DragonSim

Post edited by Maxwell_Collins on

Comments

  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    I completely didn't think about this when I wrote this up!

    Mod Support: Sure, the Sims 3 did have a degree of Modding support, but I feel the Sims 4 needs to have a wider degree. Perhaps core modding, source modding, graphic modding, and just modding in general. That would also mean that the Exchange will have to be reworked to supply the mod changes. Or, if you are really ambitious, just add a mods section to the Exchange! Then there will be an excuse to really shake things up. This will also lighten the difficulty of users to add content to their game easier, instead of the often confusing technical gabble to normally install mods. Think of the Nexus Mod Manager and how it simplified the Modding process for Skyrim users. Just make this "manager" official to the game.

    I was totally thinking about this before the write-up. Why did I forget?!
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    AstroAstro Posts: 6,667 Member
    I like how you didn't include toddlers...
  • Options
    LegendaryLegendary Posts: 390 Member
    AstroX1424 wrote: »
    I like how you didn't include toddlers...

    We can add them to the Occult lifestages.
    I'm just here to see how the fandom reacts to the game coming out.
  • Options
    nanashi-simsnanashi-sims Posts: 4,142 Member
    edited August 2014
    I'd be keen on neighbourhoods that are consistently bland. Suburbs, rural areas, beaches, forests, and a city will suffice for my game play environment. I would rather not have my sims have to visit entirely different biomes every time they venture past their block.

    Because my game play is very vanilla and family/generations based, I hope that all that fantasy and occult stuff is put in a separate EP. I definitely think supernatural elements need to be added to the game for the players who love it, but I seriously hope that the "weirder stories" that EA is focusing on don't end up become so weird and fantastic that it makes TS4 a game that no longer allows us to "play with life". For me, "life" isn't about dragons and zombies.

    Oddly enough, I love plantsims and enjoy occasional alien abductions. For some reason they don't disrupt my work-and-raise-a-family game play style. I like ghosts too. Note to Gurus: Cemeteries are a MUST!
  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    Either people are ranting about the lack of toddlers in TS4, or it has been made into a cruel joke...
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    AstroAstro Posts: 6,667 Member
    Either people are ranting about the lack of toddlers in TS4, or it has been made into a cruel joke...
    Ranting about toddlers? Please..
  • Options
    hypemerchanthypemerchant Posts: 132 Member
    edited August 2014
    It's obvious that careers are going to be in-game. How many there will be at launch is the question.

    Pretty sure the amount of careers there will be at launch/in the basegame has been confirmed and already shown in some gameplay.
    Simsig.png
  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    > @hypemerchant said:
    > Maxwell_Collins wrote: »
    >
    > It's obvious that careers are going to be in-game. How many there will be at launch is the question.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Pretty sure the amount of careers there will be at launch/in the basegame has been confirmed and already shown in some gameplay.

    The problem is... how many? And what are they. I'm sure they will expand on the number in the future...
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    hypemerchanthypemerchant Posts: 132 Member
    > @hypemerchant said:<br />
    > Maxwell_Collins wrote: »<br />
    > <br />
    > It's obvious that careers are going to be in-game. How many there will be at launch is the question.<br />
    > <br />
    > <br />
    > <br />
    > <br />
    > Pretty sure the amount of careers there will be at launch/in the basegame has been confirmed and already shown in some gameplay.<br />
    <br />
    The problem is... how many? And what are they. I'm sure they will expand on the number in the future...

    What do you mean ''The problem is how many''? Like I said, the amount of careers that will be in the basegame and what they will be has already been confirmed. Ofcourse they'll expand on it in the future.
    Simsig.png
  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    I started another write-up. Now I have no clue where it went...

    P.S.: I'm writing this whilst listening to Matchbox Twenty. Just saying!
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    I created a super-thread recently. I frantically uploaded my entire write-up to the thread, except for a few kinks that I wasn't done with.

    Since my first "Explore the Sims" write-up was about the Occult Sims, what should I tackle next? Careers? Possible EPs? Clothing Styles (a difficult one, but I wanted to put it out there)? And what about Build Mode and, well, the forgotten gem it seems, the Sims Medieval? Leave suggestions here!
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    Alright, The Sims 4 is out! Anyone still have hopes for this list? Don't forget to post your thoughts here!
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    Bump. Will soon post a short version of Explore the Sims E1. Soon.
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

  • Options
    Maxwell_CollinsMaxwell_Collins Posts: 143 Member
    Bump up. It certainly has been awhile, and, well, these ideas are old...
    My YouTube Channel
    Draconic Gaming

    DeviantArt Page
    Lunispellweaver (will try to change it)

    Some of my Threads:
    8 Expansions I Would Like to See in the Sims 4
    DragonSim

Sign In or Register to comment.
Return to top