I understand that, but even if a few thousand fans boycott the game, millions more will buy it. The risks of adding it to the game far outweigh the benefits.
It better be! It hasn’t been 100% confirmed, but I’m assuming it is.
No info on zodiacs yet. I highly doubt they would add a feature to the game that would make it buggy and unstable just to appease a few whiney people on Tumblr. They have millions upon millions of players…removing one feature from the game won’t result in a loss of revenue. 99.99% of Sims players probably don’t know or care.
True, but he did say that 4 months ago…so we should be getting some juicy info soon!
Me too!
I completely agree. So far we’ve seen a southern, New Orleans-esqe town, an Italian coastal town, and more of a rural area that resembles Strangetown. Either will get one huge map that includes these smaller areas, or they’ll be different neighborhoods.
I can’t guarantee anything, but I’m almost positive it will be. That video shows the early alpha version of the game. It was meant to focus on features, not content.
I completely agree! The art style of Sims has also never been realistic. The style of The Sims 4 matches that of the TS1 and TS2 in a really great way, and I’m super excited about it!
In some ways, yes. I think that they wanted to build a stable game system, and clearly forcing the game to render UNLIMITED custom textures for every single object and Sim was too taxing on most people’s computers. Everyone complains about how high the system requirements for the game are, so EA made the game more stable and simple to lower the requirements, but of course now everyone has to complain about how the game has no features.
The fact is, we know few concrete details about TS4. I remember the years before TS2 and TS3 came out…there were new rumors every week, and I’d say about 50% of the announced features didn’t end up in the final game. We know little to NOTHING about The Sims 4. I think people need to just wait for more news before complaining.
Me too. I was shocked to learn that the SAME age groups will be returning in TS4. I hope that they are fleshed out more at least.
It would be too graphically intensive and too difficult to implement without slowing down the game. They are trying to make a game that is fast and stable, and I respect them for that!
Here is absolutely EVERYTHING we know about TS4, pre-E3.
Multitasking- New technology allows Sims to eat and talk, exercise and watch TV…nearly any feasible combination of interactions. This makes Sims feel much more natural and believable.
Group Controls- Sims can form groups of up to six Sims. Groups can perform group interactions. Sims don’t have to all be standing or doing the same thing in a group. Sims will turn their heads and their upper body appropriately during conversations.
Emotional States- Within each of the emotional states – including happy, sad, inspired and depressed, among others – are a range of nuances that will unlock contextual actions. Sad Sims might be inspired to paint something depressing, while angry Sims might have extra drive when working out! Mood influences Sim behavior and animation as well- the way the Sim gets out of bed, walks, talks, and interacts with other Sims are all affected by mood. Emotions can even be triggered by dreams!
There will be 15 emotional states in the base game. Below are the known states:
Emotionally Triggered Abilities- Sad Sims do poorly at work, unless they are writers. Flirty Sims can dim the lights by clapping their hands. Emotions are like temporary traits.
Furniture Influence on Mood- An inspirational painting could boost the creativity of a Sim, while a room decorated with many romantic objects will make Sims feel “flirty”. However, just one romantic candle will not dramatically affect the mood of a Sim…it is more about the overall tone of the room.
Create A Sim- Like molding clay, but not as messy. Each Sim has 18 points the player can grab and mold to perfection. Advanced tweaking is also possible. Extra clothing can be unlocked by completing certain tasks and achievements. Click here to watch Create A Sim in action, or click here for a CAS info compilation!
New Genetics System- Body shape is genetic! Genetics in TS4 has been “greatly improved.” New feature that allows the player to mash-up the looks of two Sims to preview what their child will look like. You can then manipulate the look of the child if you aren’t satisfied with the results. You can also create family members based off of just one of your Sims’ genetics, which allows the player to create siblings for lone Sims without parents!
Buy Mode- Furniture can be purchased through an Ikea-like catalogue, offering a range of items that directly influence how a Sim feels within the environment. You can drag and drop an entire room set and it will adjust to the size of the room dynamically. Furniture can be unlocked by completing certain tasks and achievements.
Build Mode- Just as in the new CAS, everything is fun and simple; you just plop down rooms and pull them apart and shape them as you please. The new “blocks” system allows for extreme flexibility. You don’t need to plan a house beforehand. The new system is more flexible and requires less time and patience. You can adjust the pitch, curvature and overhand of roofs! Automatic window tool.
Relationship System- Instead of one relationship bar that slowly increases from friendship to romance, TS4 now has two concurrent bars- romance and friendship. It will be much easier to stay friends with a Sim without delving into romantic territory. This also opens up the possibility for “soul mates”, or two Sims that have maxed out friendship and romance bars!
Aspiration System- Sims can have an unlimited number of Aspirations, which feature intermediate goals along the way and wide-reaching progression branches. Once a Sim completes an Aspiration, they’ll get the corresponding Aspiration Trait that goes along with it. A Sim that becomes a master chef, for example, will get a cooking-based Aspiration Trait.
Whims- A short-term goal for your Sim, like playing chess or mixing a drink. Similar to Wants in TS2 or Wishes in TS3. Grants Aspiration Points.
Traits- Three trait slots and one for primary aspiration. Traits can be unlocked by completing certain tasks and achievements.
Skill System- Skills are split into three categories: Focus (logic, cooking), Inspiration (painting, writing, bartending), and Energize (athletic). Around 10 skills in base game. Some more skills are piano, guitar, violin, gardening (which is much more complex in TS4), social, writing, painting, dating, and exercise.
Active Careers- The core game system allows for events where players can go out and play through certain parts of their Sim’s career. Again, you’ll be interacting with other Sims as well to move up the career ladder.
Health- Sims naturally change over time. Eat too much and/or never exercise, you’ll get fat. Eat healthy food and work out, you’ll lose weight and/or maintain health. Sims will notice gaining/losing weight. Sims can no longer be muscular and obese at the same time.
Vibrant Neighborhoods– Chose among brilliant and diverse lots for your Sims to live in. Vivid visuals bring your Sim’s home to life. The new neighborhood looks a lot like the Southern US, but more stylized and charming.
Memories- Sims will remember past outfits, relationships and experiences. These memories will have a significant effect on their behavior and mood.
Sound Design- The game has over half a million sound files, and the sound system has gotten a technical overhaul. Sound now has direction; a Sim with his back facing the camera will sound a little muffled when he speaks. Music and sound will even be different depending on the shape of the room. Basically, TS4 has acoustics.
New Simlish- The Sims voice team has now tripled to nine different actors. There is specific ‘slang’ for different Sim age groups, and there is a greater focus on object-specific terminology. Simlish feels more like a real language in TS4.
Animation- Sims no longer pause in-between animations or look like robots when sitting in a chair. Everything is fluid and natural. It is subtle but very effective. Sims can perform most interactions either standing or sitting (you can sit on a bed and eat).
Path System- Sims in crowded spaces will maneuver around each other. Sims can pass each other on stairs. A hundred Sims can pass each other without a single one getting stuck. Similarly, a hundred Sims can all walk through a single doorway at once without anyone being stuck, stamping their foot in protest, or auto-canceling the interaction.
Events- For example, a Sim can host a singles event, and invite all the single Sims in the neighbourhood to a party. Or as a chef, a Sim can attend a special event dinner.
Confirmed Objects- Cowplant, teapot, rocket ship, voodoo doll, cupcake maker, cars, painting easel, punching bag and more!
Expansions and DLC- A list of over 40 expansion packs and content for TS4 was released by EA in an official survey. Much of this content will likely appear in the game at some point. Click here for the full list of titles and descriptions
Going to work with Sims
Create-A-Style-Tool
Height customization
Hair growth and animation
Unlimited levels in build mode (TS4 has three-floor limit)
Hair and skin tone customization (all of hair is one color, you must choose from pre-set color options, cannot dye or highlight, skin tones are also pre-set colors)
Weather
Gradual aging or new life stages
I’m sure it’s just extra, unique furniture. Like unlocking a certain achievement gives you a really cool object. Either way, I’m sure there will be mods to unlock everything within a week or two of release.
I’m going to be studying abroad in Denmark! :O I’m a little worried that I won’t even be able to get The Sims 4 when it comes out!
EA owns and funds The Sims 4 :/
The stuff pack.
I’m so completely unfazed by it at this point. EA disappointing me has become a routine.
EA has promised some “special” news today, so let’s cross our fingers for some info on The Sims 4!
EDIT: It looks like EA is “celebrating” by giving us a free Sims 3 stuff pack…and that’s it. I am sooooo done with this company.
No, but The Sims 1 was released on February 4th, so we are hoping that we get something then!
Hi, CherryBunny. Yes, traits and voice sliders will be returning in The Sims 4.
Here’s the long answer:
We learned from Sims Camp that each sex will have three different voice styles to choose from and you can adjust the pitch from low to high for each.
Photo: Trait slots and voice sliders (UI pictured is from Gamescom and subject to change)
With traits Ray Mazza confirmed you can choose up to five like before but your Sims will also be able to unlock special traits by completing Aspirations. Here’s what we’ve read so far about traits:
Whims, Traits, Aspirations
We’re used to crafting Sim personalities with Traits, and those of us that played The Sims 2 even remember when we used to control their Wishes. The Sims 4 lets us get to know our Sims’ thoughts and feelings not just through Traits, but through Whims and Aspirations. Whims are like the thought bubbles that come up when Sims are out in the world doing stuff. They’re often something a Sim wants to do in the moment, like mix a drink or play with a chess set. Fulfilling a Whim grants the Sim something like Lifetime Happiness points to spend on rewards.
Aspirations are more long-term Sim desires, similar to the Lifetime Wishes from The Sims 3. A Sim might want to master a certain skill or career, or own certain items. Unlike The Sims 3, which limited players to only one Lifetime Wish, the Aspirations in The Sims 4 are organized such that every Sim can have as many as he or she wants. Once a Sim completes an Aspiration, they’ll get the corresponding Aspiration Trait that goes along with it. A Sim that becomes a master chef, for example, will get a cooking-based Aspiration Trait. —Meet The Sims 4, The Sims Official Magazine
And the unforgettable Sociopath trait…
The character evolves as you meet her desires. So, if you can unlock the sociopath trait, she will get ‘fun’ from torture.”—Ray Mazza
And to make a long post even longer here’s a little trivia from Twitter…
@HoneywellsNews Aspirations & Trait Rewards were designed by @SimGuruJohn, a super smart, fun guy. I think you’ll enjoy them : )
— Ray Mazza (@raymazza)
January 29, 2014
Hahahaha I wouldn’t hold your breath!
Possibly New Sims 4 News Coming Our Way?
The Sims Facebook page just updated with that quote. If this isn’t a teaser for new Sims 4 news I think fans might riot…
Update: Simtroverted read my mind. I just googled it; February 4th, 2000 was the first release of The Sims.
The Sims franchise is almost 14 years old! Let’s hope we get some news on February 4th!
Lack of support from higher-ups at EA probably.
EA has been getting on ALL of our nerves, and not just lately! They have been voted the “Worst Company in America” TWICE. It’s okay…if The Sims 4 is amazing and isn’t 90% DLC, I will forgive them.
Simified: Will Sims be able to have and own cars? Will cars in The Sims 4 have functions similar to The Sims 2 (opening doors, etc.) or will they be like The Sims 3?
Grant: Sims will definitely be able to own and have cars! As far as how they will function, I cannot comment on that yet. I do know that opening doors, like in The Sims 2, would require a lot from our animations team, so this may or may not happen.
It sounds like cars will be animated in the same way as in The Sims 3. This is very disappointing to hear, as I personally can’t stand Sims teleporting into their cars. Little details like opening car doors are essential if TS4 is to feel alive and complete. I just don’t buy that it would “require a lot” animation-wise. Have you guys seen the incredible amount of models, textures and animations in recent games? I think they could manage. I am alright with EA toning down and simplifying the graphics if it allows for more complex game systems…I hope they come through on this!
What do you guys think?
:)
“I’d like to clear up one common misconception I keep seeing…
Being in proximity of color does not impact a Sim’s emotions. Being in a blue room won’t make your Sim sad. Wearing a red dress won’t make your Sim flirty. The Sims 4 has never functioned that way.
Our designers can, in specific cases, create objects or special pieces of clothing that enhance an emotion that a Sim is already feeling… For example, a painting with a sad theme could have an impact on a nearby Sim who is already feeling sad.
The color of an object, a piece of clothing, or… heck, even your wallpaper… won’t automatically push a nearby Sim into a different emotion.”
———————————————————————
UPDATE: I asked him what specifically triggers a Sim’s emotions, if colors and objects do not, and he responded!
“There’s a large variety of ways to change a Sim’s emotion. I shared how color does not impact emotions, but using objects in different ways is certainly one way to influence emotion.”
Congratulations to “04real” AND “kakakakelly”…you will each receive a free copy of The Sims 4 Premium Edition!
Thanks for participating guys, and be on the lookout for more news and giveaways in the near future! :)
I completely agree. I heard that they only showed TS4 at Gamescom to get some feedback on the new systems and features before fully committing to them. If that is the case, then I can’t imagine why they would have released trailers and press releases and announced the game on such a wide level. You can’t just drum up all that hype and then stay silent for six months! I mean, you can, but that’s god awful marketing.
Video: The Sims 4 - New Foundations (best watched in full screen)
Hi, 4eversims. They’re the top part of the new adjustable foundations. Above is a build clip from the First Look Gameplay Trailer that shows them being built.
I like them for the most part but I’m not crazy over the gray color — at least not for all houses — which begs the question of whether they’re designable or not? I asked, of course, so if I get a response I’ll be sure to share.
Update:
Ask and you shall receive. This is what Graham had to say:@HoneywellsNews Can’t provide full detail as it’s still an area we’re working on. There were color variations for foundations at Gamescom.
— Graham Nardone (@SimGuruGraham)
January 7, 2014Any ideas as to what this is?
I noticed something whilst looking at these images, I’m not sure what exactly it is but I’m pretty sure it’s not the foundation. You see that gray bit that surrounds the house?
It can be found on this house also, which already has foundations:
And yet it is nowhere to be found on this house, which also has foundations:
And here’s a house without foundations and the mysterious gray bit:
Could it be some sort of ground-level fencing? If so, I’m surprised that it can sit flush against the walls. Usually fences disappear when they’re built along the same pathways as walls. And judging by the fences and windows that intersect with the rooftops, I feel like we may no longer encounter the ‘cannot intersect walls/objects’ warning as much as we used to.
Whatever this addition is, I like it because it gives the houses a more natural and finished look. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I found myself using it a lot.
Yes! It was confirmed at Sims Camp.
That would be a really awesome way to incorporate Bella Goth (my favorite Sim) into a new time period and location! I love that idea!
Awww stahp I’m blushing!
Thank you! I just wanted to do something nice, I love you guys! :)
We don’t know how many traits there are in TS4, but I’m sure it’ll be around the same amount. We do know that each Sim has 5 trait slots, and that some traits will be new and some will be from TS3.
They haven’t commented on this specifically, but I can say with absolute certainty that such a feature will not be included in TS4. They are focusing on improving the core game experience, and part of this strategy involves simplifying certain graphics features that would slow down or bug up the game (like custom, multicolored, animated hair). They are also trying to target a larger demographic by allowing the game to run on computers with relatively low specs. More realistic bodies would be a nice touch, but it would slow down the game enough that it would detract from the overall Sims experience, and it would render many players with low-end computers unable to play TS4. I hope this helped! :)