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NPC Usage of Fun Objects
DOLLDRMS1
Posts: 2,955 Member
One of the things that is nice in TS4 is that NPC characters will give up using an object, i.e. computer, to an active sim the player directs to use it. However, NPC's don't use fun objects such as the foosball table or dart board, leastwise in my game. Not only does this lead to locales like the Old Quarter Inn in WB feeling dead when visiting them, it sometimes even means a whim such as "watch a dart game" can't be accomplished.
Since the mechanics for an NPC to give up usage of an object to an active sim is already in place, if a player wants to take advantage of that, I, for one, would like to see NPC usage of objects like the foosball table and dart board implemented. Sitting around watching a tv and occasionally ordering a drink while in a bar/pub while other fun objects are ignored feels flat. The locale doesn't live up to the fun place it should be. Hopefully, this will be considered because I think it would enhance gameplay and think other simmers would too, although I certainly can't speak for them. Perhaps someone else will weigh in with an opinion on this feedback.
Since the mechanics for an NPC to give up usage of an object to an active sim is already in place, if a player wants to take advantage of that, I, for one, would like to see NPC usage of objects like the foosball table and dart board implemented. Sitting around watching a tv and occasionally ordering a drink while in a bar/pub while other fun objects are ignored feels flat. The locale doesn't live up to the fun place it should be. Hopefully, this will be considered because I think it would enhance gameplay and think other simmers would too, although I certainly can't speak for them. Perhaps someone else will weigh in with an opinion on this feedback.
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Comments
@S100Headache , the only community lot I can quickly think of that benefits from having a computer is a library. If sims are too poor to buy a computer and need it for work tasks, it's handy to have them there. As for whether or not a computer is listed in any community lot's building requirements, I am not sure since I don't build. I hope a TV isn't a requirement for a bar. Agreed a sport's bar would likely have one on premises, if a player wants to set one up for that purpose.
@luthienrising , thanks for reminding me this is possible. My not being a builder has the drawback of not immediately thinking of a solution as easy as this. I appreciate you taking the time to mention it.
if you make a certain bar their meeting point, they will appear there autonomously & play the games you set for them to play
you can also prohibit watching TV or dancing to stereo
Where are we going, and why am I in this hand basket?!
The TV was a required object for a bar, so I did place it in a room below the Old Quarter Inn. Unfortunately, doing so hasn't had much impact. At least now sims who come to the bar don't sit in that back corner most of the time watching the Between TV station, lol. I'll be glad when they tune that not to be the only station my sims now seem to autonomously watch.
Removing the TV seems to have pushed the sims to gravitate towards the bar, with an occasional NPC dancing, for the most part. Hence, my feedback hoping for more autonomous usage of other fun objects remains as is. It's a change I'd like to see implemented in a small step. I don't want to see all the sims heading straight to those fun objects, just a better variety of interactions while in a bar, if possible.
But yeah, I dont really see characters use the fun objects autonomously on community lots, even the one I am playing. They certainly gravitate to these things on residential lots but once on a community lot they only seem interested in computers, televisions and mindlessly ordering drinks from the bar. (or crying in the closet) I am still trying to work out a pattern of expected behavior.
Fun must be always -- Tomas Hertl (San Jose Sharks hockey player)
Yes, a Hospital, Science Lab and, Police Station for the GTW active careers all require computers. Not required but, nice to have at the library as well and, in my game sports bars and a room I keep locked except if I want my active foodie sim to workout and skill cooking at the same time has a TV. I do have a computer on the home lot but, I make any computer actions against the rules for my club, then add whomever I want to come over to the club and have a gathering - No computer using that way.
I have a mod for those gaming rigs so, those are okay in my game now. (Coolspear1's over at MTS. Also have his hot tub mod so, things are more balanced for fun.
I think i've seen some mods to make them use things they couldn't before but at this point my game already runs on mods and it's starting to annoy me that i have to spend so much time to fix things manually with mods that i skipped that one