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Bad development choices, poor budgeting selections?
JasonRMJ
Posts: 744 Member
Clearly the beta version of the base game actually has another third world which has that European style feel and was scrapped which then became a completely revised and revamped world called Windenburg for the Get Together EP in the end. I don't know how much they wasted the budget for creating the alpha and beta look for the base game in the beginning of it, I guess it's a lot and then they used the beta european old assets to cover the cost back by creating another marketable Expansion Pack.
not only that they actually included sloped terrains but eventually flesh it out for flat lots because it didn't work online because of the different information based on the online world mechanics (I vaguely remember an image about the Beta version of the Oakenstead residence, prove me I'm wrong though), even they removed the technology in the game, which they knew the simcity fiasco but didn't have enough time and money to get everything right to port it on a Single offline experience so more cuts, cuts and cut to meet the deadline. which in return removes the also planned toddlers,pools,ghost and terrain tool etc, after the release it was still a buggy mess(and I still can't shake it off for the past two years) , seriously it's unforgivable to overlook the incest bug and the stretch baby glitch for intel user, when they just said it will work perfectly on ancient laptops. after the monthly 3 months of patches we get ghost back and pools back even though they can extend it for 3 months....
this is based on my experience waiting this sequel when the developers announce it and the leaks, the alpha and beta images and the scrapped Olympus project AFAIK...
on the side note, How do you think it went to H***?
My guess is the above title, poor choices...now this game is hated by sim veterans because how it poorly did well on it's release.
not only that they actually included sloped terrains but eventually flesh it out for flat lots because it didn't work online because of the different information based on the online world mechanics (I vaguely remember an image about the Beta version of the Oakenstead residence, prove me I'm wrong though), even they removed the technology in the game, which they knew the simcity fiasco but didn't have enough time and money to get everything right to port it on a Single offline experience so more cuts, cuts and cut to meet the deadline. which in return removes the also planned toddlers,pools,ghost and terrain tool etc, after the release it was still a buggy mess(and I still can't shake it off for the past two years) , seriously it's unforgivable to overlook the incest bug and the stretch baby glitch for intel user, when they just said it will work perfectly on ancient laptops. after the monthly 3 months of patches we get ghost back and pools back even though they can extend it for 3 months....
this is based on my experience waiting this sequel when the developers announce it and the leaks, the alpha and beta images and the scrapped Olympus project AFAIK...
on the side note, How do you think it went to H***?
My guess is the above title, poor choices...now this game is hated by sim veterans because how it poorly did well on it's release.
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Comments
I just feel that they need to focus their resources on giving us more actual gameplay & content instead of the live challenge stuff. They've still got one foot in the door with that whole online thing the way they run these challenges and it's the most annoying thing about this version to me.
not all though, but as a sims veteran since 2004, I's played TS1,TS2,TS3 and TS4 in HARDCORE!!!! I love it.... (I made houses, letting my sims have a degree, get a good job and plan a family it took at least 3 months for 1 family to be successful)
I'm just voicing my experience on most sim veterans I know, that my closest friend said EA is the worst and even my brother said that I was ripped off XD lol, they say it's not really good enough and get boring fast and hated by how much content they lose before the patches were released. So it got me thinking and scramble what I know from the begging of the announcements of TS4.
you have to buy it though. 40+20= 60 which is equal to a standard The Sims 4 version in 2014.
(added: Did we all like The Sims's and Sims 2's? No idea - I wasn't on forums to get even a vague sense. I had some I didn't like for sure.)
Reusing some of this content for future developments is also not surprising, some of the work is already done, so you might as well use it, rather than start from scratch. I think they really liked the idea of an European world, and from what I recall, people liked it too.
I think TS4 is the worst Sims iteration. I don't like TS3 but I don't think it is a bad game (I think the sims in TS3 are ugly as sin). I loved TS1, but after TS2 I couldn't really accept the never dying, lack of genetics, and other elements that TS2 brought to the game to play TS1 for more than nostalgic reasons. TS3, I love the worlds and the content and spend a lot of time trying to port them into my TS2 game--but I don't spend a lot of time playing TS3 and probably never will. That said, I totally can understand how a lot of players love that game.
TS4? NOTHING. There is nothing that this iteration brings to the Sims franchise. There is nothing that redeems this game. It's a waste of money and time.
One fanbase to rule them all:
Since it appears that EA no longer designs the sims for the diverse fanbase it built the Sims franchise foundation: for those who sincerely like this version of the game, I sincerely hope they will loathe TS5 so that I can like the next iteration. EA has pitted the fanbase against each other to divert the focus. Why no toddlers? Because our (implied: important) fans don't want them. Why forced cartoonish hood views? Because realism in the Sims is creepy. Why are aliens invading my hood? Because some of our fans requested that. In TS4 if you dont "get it" then you're a bad Sims fan.
P-poor development:
I hope TS5 breaks the "average" simmer's computer (because EA thinks we play the sims on toasters)
Social networking failure:
The forced and awkward social media push and attempt to be trendy makes TS4 dated before its time. Instead of talking about the game, they send out dancers to look cool and social (and thanks to that stunt ended up making the Sims franchise look like a joke). The constant stats published as though this game to prove (although to be fair, it kinda does have to prove it's not a piece of rubbish). The dev team should just make a Sims for Twitter and leave it at that. The umbrella mobile division indicates that this might actually happen, so I should be careful with my comments!
Big BIG thumbs down... way down:
With the exception of the music team, a big thumbs down to everyone's contribution on the development of this product. Way to produce a huge disappointment.
This a non regular poster who does not complain daily. They have come on here to give their opinion as the forum rules allow.
Conversely, what is the point in coming on here daily to praise the game?
One could argue that if you dislike the game you should shut up and move on, whilst, at the same time, if you like it so much, you should play it instead of talking about it on the forums. Both of those viewpoints are equally valid and if you tell someone, or imply, they should not be complaining, you should expect a reply of "Go play the game, not the forums."
The thread title clearly encapsulates the content of this thread. Don't like what the thread is about, don't read it and feel compelled to engage in it. Its what I do. I don go into e-v-e-r-y positive thread to question why the person has created it and disagree with them because it would be rude.
1. I didn't say the OP complains daily.
2. I don't come here daily to praise the game. I come here daily to enjoy other people's screenshots, answer questions, and catch up a few bugs posts. Sometimes I answer posts like this because I'm sick to death of opinion being stated as if it's undeniable fact around here, and there's nothing in the site rules that say I can't push back against that.
3. If you don't like what I say, don't read my posts. There's a site tool just for that. Be my guest and use it on me. I'm tired of being lectured by you on what I should and shouldn't post around here.
1. You implied it and you know you did.
2. Push back?! People have a right to give their opinion about this game without being instantly attacked by you. I don't think you realise how prolific you are and how patronising you can come across. You turn up in every negative thread just to cause dissent. If these threads upset you, ignore them. No one should be trying to "push anyone back". That is bordering on an attempt to censor opinion. And you are just as guilty, if not more so, of coming across as having all the facts as you dismiss people here daily presenting yourself as a voice of reason and your opinion as fact. Please show some decency and allow others to have their opinion and stop trying to silence people. This is not your personal forum.
3. I'll gladly put you on ignore because you cannot be reasoned with.
I'm going to hold you up there. The very last sentence of the OP is a blanket statement that speaks for a group of people without their consent. There will absolutely be push-back against that sort of thing, and deservedly so. The anti-Sims 4 crowd does it a lot. It is natural that people are going to get tired of it.
That in the bold - I think it's a bit tongue in cheek because I don't actually wish that TS5 (if there is one) breaks the "average" Simmer's computer; however I totally agree with you in that it's a lame excuse to skimp on animations, complexity, etc. I feel like EA should know that if they made an OUTSTANDING product that didn't only listen to parts of what Simmers wanted (i.e. What Simmers said: 'We want smarter Sims with more emotions!' What EA said: 'Yes, we're listening.' What EA heard and did: 'Simmers want emotions so that's ALL we're going to focus on' and let's get rid of most everything else!), more Simmers would not only buy the game, but get a computer that could run the game that they love. This franchise has had such a loyal fanbase since the beginning and for EA to cut out several different styles of gameplay (therefore cutting out Simmers), is a HUGE slap in the face!
No, I do not know that, nor do you have the ability to see inside my head. And please feel free to report me if you think I'm attempting to censor people. I certainly have no intent to do so; disagreement is not an attempt to censor. It's just disagreement.
Seriously, if you don't like the post, fine. I am a Sim veteran since 2000 and it speaks for me. The word "some" should have been added to that line. Let's give the OP the benefit of the doubt that the "some" is implied.
This isn't Reuters, it's a video game FAN forum, of course opinions are going to be stated as facts. If 1) you guys don't like that and 2) you don't think that most folks are intellectually capable of parsing these opinions-as-facts, and 3) this upsets you so much that you feel the need to derail every thread that commits this heinous act, then just get off the Internet; otherwise much posterior pain will follow
Back to the main point of this thread:
Was this game poorly developed? Yeah. Dunno if it's rumour mill or a fact, but this "Olympus" theory suggests that there were circumstances which made the standalone TS4 a game that was developed in 2 years as opposed to 4. I say: no excuse for what was turned out. Because the same story about having to practically start over applied to TS2 as well, and look how that game turn out. And it's been 2 years now anyway and still the game is limited.
Edit: @aricarai - yeah, it was totally tongue in cheek
Words cannot describe how disappointed I am with it. Yes, I should've know better, but I do get some enjoyment out of 4, so I thought at a reduced price I wouldn't be losing much money.
I moved my sim into an apartment and then sent him outside. I was prepared for the teleport in front of the elevator to the ground floor, but seeing it made me realise just how immersion breaking and cheap it is. The camera doesn't even follow your sim down to outside; you have to right click on the sim portrait.
I took my sim over to the basketball court and after a minute or so became bored so I walked over to view a sim statue and noticed, to my surprise, the game had copied the exact sim I was playing out of the gallery to randomly put him as a vendor on a stall. I just shook my head as nothing surprises me with this game. Yes, I have a few different versions of him saved in the gallery and it could be one of those the game chose, but one would assume they coded the game to not do this with sims that have the exact same name and appearance as the one you are playing. Obviously not.
I pressed "M" to open up the map to travel elsewhere, but the game would not let me as I was in a social event?! A social event I had no idea I was taking part in, and even with a completely clear task queue, it would not let me open the map. Every time I got close to my apartment building, the camera would jump jarringly up which quickly became very disorientating.
First impressions, not impressed and worse than I thought.
I still hate the flat 2D maps as they look like something from a tablet game. I'm not seeing anything in San Myshuno that makes me go "Wow I can see where they spent all their development time." Everything screams corner cutting and is minimal.
How is this a years work? Where is the expansion to the sims themselves? City Living is basically just a new world with some interactive objects.
I thought the game was getting better, but this EP makes me think otherwise. it has not addressed a single piece of feedback. Players scream out they want x, and they give us y.
And don't get me started on the talking toilet.
Your opinion has been noted. Thank you.
@blueturtleotter - didn't you know that every time you buy a TS4 EP, a basic feature in the future TS5 base game dies.
On a serious note, what elements of TS4 encourage you to buy more of it? And do you think that there will be a difference in the development approach for TS5 or will it be more corner cutting like TS4?
I'm not sure that you have the ability to dismiss people, and certainly not on the basis of your agreement. I'll thank you in advance for refraining from doing so.
I love the look of the sims. I love how smooth the game is. I love the gallery. I love build mode.
I play as a loner so I can over look the lack of reactions to a point, and I only every do one generation so the terrible family tree and inability to recognise non-immediate family does not affect me.
I love Windenberg.
The game makes me smile and laugh, but also frustrates me. I hate the lack of customisation and the tiny worlds. I miss burglars so much and the random drama of the other games.
The Sims 4 is just so pretty to look at and a hour or so here and there I find relaxing.
I was a huge Sims 3 player, but it lags and stutters terribly on my computer which vastly exceeds the requirements. Island Paradise is unplayable even with the downloaded repaired world. It would probably run if I turned off the other EPS, but my sims clothes come from various EPs.
The Sims 4 gives me a quarter of the fun The Sims 3 did and I still hold out a dying hope that the game will get better. I find the odd thing in each pack that I do like, so I try to focus on those.
I hate the overt socialising in 4 and it annoys me so much that my loner sim doesn't act like a loner. I dislike the manic emotion system, so I ignore it and do not engage in trying to artificially manipulate my sims's emotions for x task. I do not do any of the linear careers of GTW as I found them too linear and the tasks obtuse.
I admit I am becoming bored with 4 again and regret purchasing City Living. A small part of me hopes that the game will get better and that they will listen and act on our feedback, but the cynic side of me says no and wonders if the game's repurposed engine is just too restrictive.
I also do not like this live system that appeared to me to be a "clever" way for them to release the game in an unfinished state and complete it as they go along. EA does nothing for free.
I know I repeat this often, but sims could not react negatively at all for over a year until they patched the game. This alone tells us that the game was incomplete at launch and it is unacceptable. The sims are what the game is supposed to be about and they were broken for over a year and I don't know how anybody can think that that was acceptable.
I really ought to stop purchasing additional content for this game.
I guess 'things happen, things change and things get cut'
I still blame Olympus though. As I said before, Olympus is the boss and if Olympus says no, then TS4 cannot have it.
I'm hoping Olympus and its re-purposed engine is to blame because the alternative does not look good for The Sims 5 (if there ever is one) if it is the developers' fault and their decisions are not made out of necessity but because they genuinely think they are the best decisions to make a great sims game.
I don't think the developers are at fault here. Some of those who where behind the original games are still around and I think that eventually they can pull things together for TS5
That's what I hope.