Okay so this might be a little TOO real, so apologies if it seems like it is. I have a lot of health problems myself so sometimes I guess I can be a bit desensitized to the whole subject, so please don't be mean
But I think it would be cool to have more illnesses in the game, but more as a consequence of something. So for example, if a mother has a stressful pregnancy (neglects her needs etc) the baby has the chance of being born with a defect. Maybe picks up skills slower later in life, is clumsy, or something like that idk. Or can be born with a genetic illness. Also, if a sim is overweight, they can develop type 2 diabetes and has to medicate, keep an eye on blood sugar, be careful not to eat too much sweet stuff, can have hypos from low blood sugar, or get ketones when blood sugar is too high for too long (I have type 1 diabetes just for the record lol).
Idk I'd just like some more realism and it would be cool if some things could be consequential but also some could just be by pure chance. But I may just be running too far with my ideas lol.
Comments
Sadly I don't think the time is now. Not because I don't want to see the disabled side of society recognised being a member myself but more because of some players attitude towards their able bodied sims. A long time ago I raised a thread about the mistreatment of sims and quite a few players were happy to boast of how they tortured, abused and put to death their sims. To be fair an equally large number came forward to say how they took very good care of their sims. I must admit I was shocked at the violence especially as the thread was started as tongue in cheek. I doubt very much has changed in the last few years and I would be appalled to think of any player taking pleasure in hurting a disabled sim.
I do like the pregnancy idea though although I would prefer it not to end with birth defects or learning difficulties later in life. Perhaps it could be something along the lines of a pregnant mum drinking coffee or eating pancakes so the baby is born with a liking for both. Or perhaps mum playing the violin or painting while pregnant so the baby is born with a love of music etc.
Finally I don't think you are desensitized. You are more than aware of the need for the game to be more inclusive and are brave enough to say so.
Wherever I am friends call me Betty
Sim enim est vita
And like @Bettyboop55 said, making it so things pregnant sims do is passed on, like a love of certain foods works well for me! And a chance of a trait or two being passed as well, rather than allowing us to choose everything.
As for disabilities, i want them. I have a chronic illness, being type 1 diabetes, and id love to see food related disorder that makes sims angry if they eat something overly sweet like cake and havent say, done enough exercise to burn it off, or get dazed if their hunger gets too low. Keep it silly and whimsical like thr sims is, but even allowinv customisation in CAS works for me. Or sims who cannot eat a certain food, like food with fish, because they have an allergy, or sims who occasionally just collapse of exhaustion with no warning.
But maybe allowing a toggle, so those of us who want it can have it, as i know a lot of people play to escape their own life, while ill do anything for more depth.
This is a lovely comment!! I do understand what you're saying about people taking advantage of it, I hadn't even thought of that. And the idea of picking up preferences from the parents is a really cool idea!
This is why I think it would be a good idea for a mod. That way, those who want it can download it, but those that don't, won't. I'm just trying to find a good modder who accepts huge requests because I have no idea how to do it myself. And yes I agree, the neglected pregnancy bit could be from a collapse or something, but also I think it should be random, so even those with perfect pregnancies could have a chance of having something go wrong later.
I don’t think it should ever be further than that. I think to add in things like that would be making light of very serious real life conditions, would be upsetting for many and I just don’t think it should be included.
Many players (especially those with disabilities and birth defects) would rather see The Sims as a means of escapism.
As in not having a game that reminds them of their obstacles and turmoil.
I'm certain that many would take great and personal offense from this idea and EA would do what they can as a business to dismiss any ideas regarding Deep, Heavy, and Emotionally challenging topics.
Note that I'm not intentionally criticizing EA and The Sims Team for dismissing these ideas though. It is quite rational for them to do so as a business. They do have a primary demographic with specific demands to serve after all.
An inevitable and unfortunate side effect of being an emotionally sensitive society.
That is why I've previously recommended on two (or perhaps three) discussions related to this idea for EA and The Sims Team to create a "Sibling Franchise" to The Sims. A game that shares the same idea, mechanics, and concepts of The Sims, but more Realistic, Deep, Heavy, Controversial, and Adult.
This came to me when I've heard about The Sims Medieval.
If they could implement Religion, Murder, and the word Alcohol in a game that shares the same name of the franchise, why not implement these ideas and more to a game that is similar to the base franchise?
Like I've stated before, I like this idea and would be open to as well as advocate for a more realistic and inclusive game, but now is not the time nor conditions.
Estimating that the current game's engine and present condition would make it immensely difficult for these ideas to be implemented.
Many are right to expect Bugs, Clipping Issues, and Uncanny Animations to occur.
Plus, the current theme to the game just wouldn't suit well to these ideas.
Many would argue that the current game's close to cartoony theme would conflict with these features.
Though don't take my word for it.
Responding to the comment that @Bettyboop55 posted, I'm not bothered by players who use the game to torture and murder their Sims. It is inevitable for a game like The Sims to receive those kinds of players. It doesn't matter anyway. Players have the right to play the game however they choose to play it. It is a Life Simulation after all. As long as they keep those violent and sociopathic tendencies in a game, I'm not concerned.
Though I do like your idea on the offspring developing personality traits and interests from the mother's actions during pregnancy.
I do hope that EA and The Sims Team are willing and able to create a sibling franchise that is more realistic, inclusive, and mature.
That way, many players won't feel left out and many ideas from the past may finally have the opportunity to be implemented.
For now though, at least we got Mods.
So the issue of disability within the sims environment has to be handled sensitively for it to work for every player. I think your idea of a darker, more challenging game to sit alongside the existing franchise is a good idea. A while ago I ran a thread in the TS3 section where we talked of improvements to the game and quite a few people were very keen to see a more challenging game. So perhaps there is an appetite for this type of game. Certainly including such things as disability in a separate game would keep the rest of us who use the sims as an escape from challenging everyday lives happy too.
Whatever EA eventually decides to do, I hope it is handled sensitively and includes consultation with various disabled groups. I hope disability within the game is at a level which is acceptable to most players. For now though I am not convinced this is the right time for EA to be tackling this, however much I want a more inclusive game, I want it done well and with care.
Wherever I am friends call me Betty
Sim enim est vita
For me personally, my disability is visual. I for one am tired of seeing glasses being treated as little more than some type of Mr. PotatoHead-style fashion accessory. If anything, I think that is more of a slap in the face than not including the disability. My mother's driving glasses and my grandmother's glasses are not fashion accessories but physical necessities.
The idea of creating a separate game for disabled Sims has been suggested before. This is actually what I do not want to see. It is tantamount to segregation, and would not be a realistic view of our society. You would not want a Sims world with separate facilities for Sims of different races or a Sims world that did not allow for same sex couples; how is this any different? A possible compromise that i had suggested earlier would be to modify neighborhoods to include wheelchair ramps and create some disabled NPCs to warm people up to the idea. While I agree that it is too late to do this now, it would be something worth considering for future games.
Fair warning, threads dedicated to this topic tend to get locked. Thus, I figured I should speak now or forever hold my piece.
I don't believe anyone is talking about a completely separate game about disabled sims. It wouldn't be right and in the UK possibly not even legal. I also wonder how many of us would feel totally comfortable creating a disabled sim for our own amusement. Therefore I think the creation of a separate game which allows players to explore some of the more challenging aspects of life simulation and to include disability among those challenges would be a suitable compromise for now. Then you have a vehicle for educating about disability but in a way that will make players think. I also think that having a "darker" version does not preclude retaining humour. Most of us with long term chronic illnesses know that being able to see the funny side is often the saving factor in very difficult and unpalatable situations.
As I said before this is not the time for EA to be introducing such a topic to the sims. It is such a huge topic and needs handling with care and plenty of consultation. Then if it is introduced and done well it can provide that positive message you want.
In the hope this reaches the thread before it is closed.
Wherever I am friends call me Betty
Sim enim est vita
Definitely.
These topics should be handled carefully and professionally. With enough consultation and knowledge on each disability, disease, and birth defect.
Plus, just to clarify, I am not advocating for a separate game that is dedicated to this specific matter.
I am suggesting that we have a sibling franchise that tackles this matter as well as many other mature and heavy matters with great care and humor. I most certainly agree that sometimes laughter can be the best remedy.
So not only will this suggested sibling franchise handle Disabilities, Diseases, and Defects, but also other matters such as Religion, War, The darker side of Politics, Conflicting Opinions and Philosophy, Murder, Miscarriages, and Existential Dread.
I do not advocate for this topic to be exclusive. So I understand and agree with your concern, but of course; the current conditions of the franchise and community make it immensely difficult for this topic to be implemented without some sort of backlash to occur. Hurting EA and The Sims Team in the process.
Plus, my apologies to Betty for making it seem like you were advocating for tighter controls to the franchise. Thank you for your clarification.
Of course; I am aware that this topic will eventually be locked. So hopefully I have made my message clear before this discussion does get locked.