Sims 3 Generations.

[acid_fairy]

I was perusing the Sims 3 FB page (don't do it if you don't want to go blind from all the spelling mistakes) and someone posted about this, and linked to Snooty Sims. I found this odd as they don't tend to post anything until it's been officially confirmed.

At SS, they have put this:

'The Sims 3: Generations will be the 4th expansionpack. This is the official text of the expansion:
"With Generations, Sims of every age can enjoy new activities! Kids can hang out with friends in tree houses. Teens can pull hilarious pranks. Adults can suffer midlife crises. And so much more!"'

The system requirements page is online to confirm the title: Thesims3.com (http://www.thesims3.com/game/ep4/systemreq) '

Lo and behold, it does appear in the sidebar, so it appears genuine. Gotta admit if it's real, I'm rather underwhelmed, though midlife crises could be fun.

[Inge Jones]

Well I now believe the title of the EP. That being confirmed lends weight to the description of it which could have been "inserted" to Google somehow but is most probably accurate now.

But I do hope there is more to it than a bit of noogie and some old dears screaming and doing silly midlife crisis animations in any idle moment.

[mangaroo]

If at any point I see the words "changing table" and "bathe your toddlers," you may have my $40, EA. (Not that I'm trying to bribe you or anything.)

I hope midlife crisis implies some kind of trait and/or lifetime want switcheroo.

[el_flel]

Hmm... intriguing. There are pages reserved on the official site, someone linked them in the Speculation thread, and I'm sure it says "Generations" on there. I didn't realise that was the name of it though.

How very interesting *said whilst stroking beard*.

[kiwi_tea]

"Treehouse" better not mean "Rabbit hole for kids". :/

Otherwise, awesome. This whole pack has me so curious. I can't for the life of me think of a good Occult to include for this theme.

[ani_]

"Treehouse" better not mean "Rabbit hole for kids". :/ Hopefully it also doesn't mean the plastic tree house we now have, and it's animations, just stuck onto a tree. Hopefully, it would be something really new.

This EP would be a great moment for EA to bring back the wedding arch and other wedding related objects.

[moryrie]

I'm wondering what kinds of skills and traits could come with this.

Also. The tree-house seems like it might be one of those things that looks fun, but is actually really boring. Much like the real ones, where one gets negative moodlets from bugs and splinters. xP

[suzetter]

Yeah, I posted something yesterday about this in the Expansions thread and people are discussing the possibilty. As much as I like the idea I am skeptical since a fan on the EA site had suggested a similar EP with the same EP name last spring//summer.

Mangaroo, I am glad you said that because it drives me nuts that the toddlers can't be bathed.

[acid_fairy]

I'm just hoping for some more group interactions, and more stuff for kids to do would be great, such as playing instruments, having (proper) sleepovers, maybe getting a paper round...

[lewisb40]

There are all types of features I would love for the infants/toddlers, teens and elders to do, but if EA codes the game so children can play the piano, I will be quite satisfied.

[moryrie]

There are all types of features I would love for the infants/toddlers, teens and elders to do, but if EA codes the game so children can play the piano, I will be quite satisfied.

While adding piano playing for kids would be nice, they also should allow for the acoustic guitar and drum set as well. (Drawing the line at electric guitars because those are heavier, louder, ect, and I've never seen kids get into anything but trouble with messing around with them. Myself included.)

[suzetter]

I think the coding would be just adding an age group --it's creating the animations that would prevent EA from bothering adding kids to the instruments. Though piano may be easier since they are sitting at the piano stool and kids already have animations to sit in front of surfaces/objects while seated in a chair and do stuff (Computer/table/desk, Homework table/desk, eat/table?island counter)

[twilightgarden0]

There's a leak on reddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/comments/ejhly/forget_wikileaks_leaked_walmart_video_game/) that includes information about walmart's upcoming video game releases. It has Generations set for a May 10th release. If this is true we should be seeing an EA announcement very very soon.

EP rumors of this magnitude are usually correct, but I'm gonna try not to get too excited about this one until I know more about it. With the way EA has been going with EP's lately, it could just be Family Fun Stuff with a few new traits and animations. Best case scenario, I'd be super happy if it were to focus mainly on toddlers, children, and teens. They were my favorites to play in TS2, and currently with TS3 they're incredibly boring. I'm hoping for a bunch of new interactions and activities for them to participate in.






:duck:

[heartbreak]

Sounds like they're adding interactions that should have been there from the start. Oh how you get my weak spot, EA.

[acid_fairy]

Yes teens are very dull right now. A piece of CC reminded me earlier of the lack of teen zits! Hmm what else could teens do, any ideas?

[insane_in_charlie_shirt]

I'm hoping what they've listed aren't the main attractions of this EP - if it's true that is - because it doesn't sound like much of an EP to me... They sound like the little extras which come with it.

Sure if it is I'll be happy with it though, they always do mix things quite nicely, maybe we'll get pets to round of the family unit? (really unlikely, but a girl can dream can't she?)

[kiatyn]

FWIW, I don't see this listed in the sidebar any longer.

[acid_fairy]

@Kiatyn

At this link? (http://www.thesims3.com/game/ep4/systemreq) It's still there, over on the left. It says Games, then Generations directly beneath.

[Inge Jones]

I do still.

[LoonehWannabe]

Sounds interesting, but knowing EA it will probably be lacking somewhere.

[Zorgot]

I will definitely get that expansion and play the hell out of it, that's for sure... but for now I have to say: WORST.EP.EVER!

[acid_fairy]

Well I don't think we can judge just yet based off of two lines of text. I'm still hoping for pets to be in it *crosses fingers* Pretty sure weather won't be, which makes me sad. I'd have preferred weather over pets. But hey! This is all speculation until it's officially announced.

[Zorgot]

I wanted pets. I seriously want pets. And weather would be my second choice, but generations... NEVER. The worst part is that we already have generations. What can they possibly add to that? Couple of interactions? What? My child will have more then 2 options with my toddler?
I just want pets. I've been calculating and expecting and just wanting pets. I've been trying not to install TS2 expecting the next EP to be pets, but now... well... to the hell with EA, I'm installing TS2!!
The funny thing is that had they done a survey, I bet not a single player would say they wanted generations. Like, million other answers, not a single one would've been generations. Where did the get this.

I'm sorry for the rant but I've been pissed at EA for quite some time now (I mean, their patches need patches!) and I just needed to vent somewhere.

[Miko09]

I wonder if this mean that there will be new venues and community lots for teens, children, and todds to hang out. Maybe a chuckie cheese type venue? Or a mall? I kind of want teens to have more activities to do that gets them out and about in the neighborhood instead of eat, sleep, school, and repeat. Hopefully this EP doesnt put too much focus on the middle age range. I definitely dont need my town overrun with old people donning expensive hair pieces and riding motorcycles :/.

[CeJaye]

I'm hoping what they've listed aren't the main attractions of this EP - if it's true that is - because it doesn't sound like much of an EP to me... They sound like the little extras which come with it.

Sure if it is I'll be happy with it though, they always do mix things quite nicely, maybe we'll get pets to round of the family unit? (really unlikely, but a girl can dream can't she?)

I agree; there needs to be more attractions to this EP then what was listed. The "and so much more!" bit gives me some hope, though. Wasn't there a producer video or something saying they cut weather from Late Night because they couldn't get it working right or something? So wouldn't it be included in this EP?

If I'm remembering wrong or thinking of another game or something about the weather, Pets sounds like something that would go great along with the family generational theme.

Anyway, I just hope we get more toys, hair, and clothing for children & toddlers. Stuff for elders would be great too. Even the modders tend to neglect those groups (unless I want to download some skanky horribly photo realistic clothes for my toddlers & children from TSR. No thanks. :rofl: )

But knowing EA, we'll probably just get a few new outfits for YA/A females and they'll call it a day. But hey, if they include either weather or pets, I won't mind so much.

[kittenette069]

It wouldn't be so hard to tie seasons in with this EP. And maybe they'll bring pool slides, the ice cream stand from Sims 1, or (ooh!) an ice cream truck kids could buy from! And Plantsims could make a comeback! I hope they don't disappoint me, I'm really hoping this will be a well done EP.

[acid_fairy]

Hmm that's true, both pets and weather would fit in well. You just know we'll get neither, then.

[Honeywell]

Maybe you'll actually be able to play all of the generations instead of abandoning the parents to follow the kids if you move them out? Real genetics? Subtle aging? Those are the types of features that I would expect in an expansion pack titled Generations. Rounding out the interactions available to each age group? Not so much.

[insane_in_charlie_shirt]

I wanted pets. I seriously want pets. And weather would be my second choice, but generations... NEVER. The worst part is that we already have generations. What can they possibly add to that? Couple of interactions? What? My child will have more then 2 options with my toddler?
I just want pets. I've been calculating and expecting and just wanting pets. I've been trying not to install TS2 expecting the next EP to be pets, but now... well... to the hell with EA, I'm installing TS2!!
The funny thing is that had they done a survey, I bet not a single player would say they wanted generations. Like, million other answers, not a single one would've been generations. Where did the get this.

Whilst I'm so dang with you on wanting pets - seriously, i actually felt both fuming mad and near depressed when i saw the generations thing... But it could just be a 'we're going to make it sound crap so when the real details get released you'll love it!' kind of thing.

I keep debating whether to re-instal sims 2 so I can have pets again too! :P

Though I have seen a lot of people asking for more child, teen and elder things, so I think something like Generations may have been popular, albeit less so with the more casual gamers. (At least the ones I know.) Who don't do custom content or Sims related forums and like to dip in and out once a week or so. The people I know have all been wanting weather and pets. (And mostly pets on that - but I do work in a dog training center and go to an Agricultural college part time, so my data is probably biased!)

[anifromid2]

whadda we want?
animals
whadda we want?
weather
whadda we get:
the fort toy redesigned to look like a tree, the return of ventrilofarts, and Iqbal Alvi trying to look up River McIrish's skirt.

geeze, I can hardly wait

[koololdster]

I am tired of waiting for something good and whipping up enthusiasm for whatever crap they give us. I didn't buy the Outdoor Stuff pack and I'm not buying this unless it's a whole lot better than it sounds now. I want them to woo me!!!! Meanwhile, I'll download great CC and use mods to perk up the game experience!!!

[aGOLDENbox]

More baby and toddler interactions, I'm hoping if this is true.

[LollySims]

Since it sounds like there may be some focus on teens, I'm hoping we'll get proper dating now, since that seems to be such a big part of being a teenager. But obviously it would be available to adults/elders as well.

It would be sort of cool if they opened up some of the school for events like dances, maybe even sporting events for teens to participate in. I don't expect them to allow us to follow kids to school and see inside while they're learning, but opening up an auditorium (or adding it on) could open up possibilities. I think in Late Night there's a football field and basketball court by the school...maybe that's a hint at something we might be getting...?

I'm trying to figure out how they can fill a whole EP with this theme though, as much as I want new interactions and things for toddlers/kids/teens to do. It seems like everything I think of just feels like "extras" and there should still be one bigger focus. That's why I'm still hoping pets will be added, since they're such a big part of families.

As someone mentioned before, I'm also curious about the supernatural creature (unless we get Pets, in which case I would assume werewolves will be back). My first thought was, what if they gave us a closet object (like in Sims 2) with a chance of a boogieman hiding in it? That amuses me more than it should, just imagining the kiddies reaction if they saw him :lol: I know, it's very very unlikely, but that was the only thing I could think of that seems to fit in with the theme at all. ;)

[LoonehWannabe]

I think that some of us have our heads in the clouds. This is EA we're talking about, remember?

EDIT: I guess the truth hurts for some people...

[Captain THPS4]

Right now I'm just glad we finally have our EP4 "announcement." We will probably get a trailer plus a few renders on top of that little blurb and that's it. After all, Medieval isn't released yet. ;)

I really hope pets will be in Generations since this seems like the best opportunity to include them without making a separate EP. It goes perfectly with the theme. The last thing I want is a complete repeat of TS2 Pets further down the line. Even if weather isn't included with Generations that could still be mixed in with a sports/carnival EP.

This is do or die for TS3. At this point it seems like they're addressing at least one huge thing that's lacking - stuff for all ages to do, not just adults. A complete contrast to Late Night, thank goodness for that.

[Srikandi]

I have to say I really like the idea of this EP, because I prefer EPs that add significantly to gameplay for ALL sims... even those who rarely leave home... not just those who engage in certain activities, like WA vacations or Ambitions careers or LN clubbing. That's why my favorite TS2 EP was Free Time.

Whether it will live up to the potential is something we'll have to wait and see, I guess :)

[NekoCat]

Well, you can't have a proper family EP without pets and family activities in the rain right? Right? Nod you head yes...

Anyway, I bet it at least has weather. I just don't get why they're waiting so long to add pets when it's something so many people want.

[suzetter]

I don't want weather--they can't even handle sim routing and traveling and we have a zillion stalled vehicles--how will they be able to properly manage map wide weather?

[LollySims]

I really hope pets will be in Generations since this seems like the best opportunity to include them without making a separate EP. It goes perfectly with the theme. The last thing I want is a complete repeat of TS2 Pets further down the line. Even if weather isn't included with Generations that could still be mixed in with a sports/carnival EP.

I agree that I don't want Pets to be its own EP. I actually found that disappointing even in TS2, and thought Unleashed for TS1 offered a better mix. Since imho pets should've been included in the base game, I want whatever EP they come with to have more than just dogs and cats. I think this also opens up more opportunities for unique EP's down the road, instead of continually rehashing the same ones over and over again.

And I just remembered something else I would love to see as far as families are concerned: the ability to ask friends and family to babysit. Right now, I typically keep grandparents living at home with my Sims so I have a live-in babysitter. It would be nice if grandma & grandpa could have their own home, but still be able to watch their grandkids, either by coming over or having your sim drop the kids off at their house. Daycare would also be a great option for Sims who can afford it. I just hate the babysitters we have now, and would love more options for making sure the kiddies are safe and well taken care of, while mom and/or dad are at work.

I really can't wait to hear more about this EP. My head is swimming with possibilities for a better family life :giggler:

[insane_in_charlie_shirt]

Whilst i have been looking forward to weather and pets, I'm honestly seeing a stronger link between the name and teaser information to pets rather then weather.
I don't really see how weather would fit in more with this expansion pack than most of the previous ones (Especially ambitions which has natural disasters for fire fighters right? - I've only ever played firefighters for a short while)

I can see some of the reasoning, more outdoor interactions for kids could mean ruined by the weather? But why not running between subway stations in the rain? Or Trying to get a decent picture of the eiffel tower when it's shrouded in clouds and grizzly?

Like I said, I do want weather, I'm just not as optimistic as some about this. I think in an expansion focused on the family that pets would fit in better than weather. (When i think of my family you can bet the animals come up before the last picnic ruined by nature...)

I agree that I don't want Pets to be its own EP. I actually found that disappointing even in TS2, and thought Unleashed for TS1 offered a better mix. Since imho pets should've been included in the base game, I want whatever EP they come with to have more than just dogs and cats.

I do wish we'd had pets from the get go too, but lets be realistic. Pets are something people want, and something they're willing to pay top dollar for, why would EA include it in the base game if they could make some extra cash off of us?

Also, they had enough time trying to sort out the seemless neighbourhood and gameplay for just sims. Could you imagine how glitchy the game would ahve been? Or how much longer we'd have had to wait?

[LollySims]

I think that some of us have our heads in the clouds. This is EA we're talking about, remember?

EDIT: I guess the truth hurts for some people...

I don't think there's anything wrong with having high expectations. I don't doubt that everyone will be disappointed to some degree, but that's no reason to stay quiet about what we want.

The EP's so far have been ho-hum, I'll be the first to admit it. But when you expect mediocrity, mediocrity is all you'll ever get. At least by throwing ideas around and having higher standards, there's SOME chance that EAxis will make future EP's better, even if that chance is very slim.

Just my 2 cents :)

[LoonehWannabe]

Yeah, I know, but I just know some people (in RL, not on this thread) that will be really dissapointed. IMO, there's nothing wrong with hoping, but it was kind of a warning to those who think that we will be getting Pets/Seasons. We *might* get them, but even if we do they may not live up to our expectations. Aggh, it feels like I'm going in circles here...

[ani_]

The only bad thing in speculating about a future EP's features, is that when not all speculations end up being in the EP, we'll get a lot of hater posts that EA sucks, is greedy and doesn't care about it's fans and it's destroying the game. I still remember the the rumours about FT having wall climbing and knitting, and all those lovely "EA is greedy" posts after EA took out the baby objects from AL and put them into the store, even thou they were in the first AL trailer.

Talking about baby-objects, I hope babies get an upgrade. I didn't like TS2 babies that much because having them only in a diaper made me cold, and I always thought TS2 babies were too skinny. Now the babies are fatter, which is good, and covered up but they are still bad. I guess the a good baby would be one that a fatter version of a TS2 baby, but with the option to be able to change it's outfit. Also I would like to finally be able to put a blanket on my babies and toddlers when they are in their cribs.

[cocogrrl]

Generations? Talk about completely left field. I, like others, would rather see pets or weather. But whatever, I'm just glad we are finally getting some information on the fourth expansion pack. Was getting a little worried, lol. Right now, Generations sounds...meh. Though I'm sure once they started releasing more information on it, I'll get excited.

[suzetter]

I don't think anyone needs an EP announced to say that EA sucks, is greedy, and is ruining the game. And there's just as many EA lover posts as there are hater posts. To each his own.

Though its silly to say either ra -rah or booo about EA on EP speculations. However, once they make an announcement --it's on! (lol)

However, family interactions and some focus on toddlers, kids, teens, elders would be welcomed.

[game90]

I have a feeling this expansion merely adds new animations and interactions, and no real new gameplay. Maybe university might be included, since it fits the "Generations" theme.

[LollySims]

I have a feeling this expansion merely adds new animations and interactions, and no real new gameplay. Maybe university might be included, since it fits the "Generations" theme.

There hasn't been an EP yet that didn't add new gameplay of some sort. Even LN's less-than-impressive club scene offered new gameplay. I'm sure there'll be some sort of key element, even if it's not pets or weather, in addition to new animations and interactions, otherwise it would just seem like a glorified stuff pack. I guess we'll just have to wait and see though.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Obviously, this means we'll get horseback riding.

http://img.listal.com/image/1354320/600full-star-trek%253A-generations-screenshot.jpg

And Malcolm McDowell, I guess.

[kiatyn]

@Kiatyn

At this link? (http://www.thesims3.com/game/ep4/systemreq) It's still there, over on the left. It says Games, then Generations directly beneath.

It does say that--but when clicked, there's a 404 -- unless everyone just meant the link itself?

*blinks* maybe I am confused. :)

[tizerist]

Well I hope that somehow it includes weather, animals or retail.
Although by the title, this would seem quite unlikely.
I'm getting that same WTF feeling that I got when WA was announced as the first EP... :faceslap: ;;

[kennyinbmore]

I will definitely get that expansion and play the hell out of it, that's for sure... but for now I have to say: WORST.EP.EVER!

I have to agree with the worst ep ever, not agree with definitley buying. If there are no Pets or Weather , I'll pass on that one

I'm getting that same WTF feeling that I got when WA was announced as the first EP... :faceslap:

Ditto. I still can't remember the last time I sent my sims on a vacation :(

[Inge Jones]

I don't think this is going to be about the genetics side of generations, as I believe the translation of the name in other languages is "life stages". I am afraid it may be far more about cutesy stereotyped animations, such as teens walking with that droop again that we hated so much in TS2, and elders peeing themselves more etc etc...

Sadly, I don't really have the option not to buy it, otherwise development of s3oc/pe comes to a halt. Lol maybe I stick it on my amazon wishlist :D

[insane_in_charlie_shirt]

On the whole EA hater posts - they're greedy etc. - I think that it's important to remember that those who play the sims and come online to forums and even the official Sims 3 site, are a minority. (A vocal one though :P ) And that we make up a relatively small number of sales on the whole, though we often feel like we are clearly the main audience and only fans.

I know lots of people who play who don't do the forums and such, and they've been more than happy with all the EP, yeah there are bits they weren't frilled with, and parts they wish were better, but in general it's been positive. EA are trying to please both types of fans, those who like to jsut play and those who are a bit more serious about it. They didn't need to create things like CAW or CAP, and then give them out free if youo have a game. But they did.

I think the EA forums can be trusted as much as an IMDB film rating can :S - there are a lot of sensible people on the net, but most of them don't go around posting love or hate threads on message boards.

-Anyways, having gotten three hours of sleep I feel less angry towards this EP, though i still hope we'll get a bit more :D

[suzetter]

New animations and interactions would result in new game play -- at least for sandbox style players it would. Also, this is an EP which always comes with its own town and new places for sims to go within it.

The sims couldn't possibly pee themselves more or else they'd be walking around releasing a constant stream of urine. Ew.

Funny, but most of the people I know that play The Sims are not happy with it (my sister who introduced me to the game was so disappointed by it she has stopped playing it totally.) So really, you can't say what people think by self-appointed proxy and to say most people are happy with it is unfounded. The only votes and comments on forums that count are those of the players present. Because unless we actually hear from the rest of the other players not on forums --any comment on their behalf is purely fabrication.

[matrix54]

those tree houses better be shells >.>

and I wish we could move shells. Just take everything inside and move it. But, you simply can't have everything.

[Inge Jones]

I used to always go on about Sims to my best friend, and as she didn't usually know what I was talking about, I bought her the basegame. She played on two occasions. The first time she had no idea what she was meant to be doing so she asked me several questions and I gave her a bit of a runthrough on my own computer.

The next time she tried her sim had let the food prep boards clutter the worktops, and as sims do, instead of just eating snacks it kept getting more food boards from the fridge and dumping them on the ground. Then it waved its arms as it was trapped and she didn't realise (who could guess?) that sims are too stupid to realise they can a) step over the trays or b) clear the necessary space to cook. So her sim died, she felt a failure, and that was the last time she ever played.

[acid_fairy]

It does say that--but when clicked, there's a 404 -- unless everyone just meant the link itself?

*blinks* maybe I am confused. :)

Haha yes that's all we meant.

[insane_in_charlie_shirt]

I didn't mean to talk for everyone, I was just saying that the people I know who don't do the online thing are mostly happy (As I said there were parts they didn't like.)
he Sims 3 seems to be selling pretty well still. And people seemed happy enough, even buying expansions. Why would they do that if they weren't at least slightly pleased with the game? Are the general public so masochistic and unattached to their hard earned money that they'd throw it away on something they don't like?

Like you said, those people who are really unhappy don't play the game anymore and definitely wouldn't waste their money on expansions... EA will look at the sales of the base and the EPs and see that people can't be that unhappy with it.

Anyways, my main point was that the game obviously can't be as hated as the forums would have us think or else they wouldn't keep making them and continuing the game. That was it.
I did generalise there, true. Sorry 'bout that :P

[aerogurl87]

I'm hoping when I get home from work there will be an announcement of some kind from EA. And my dream would be if they showed in the trailer more wedding items like the arch from The Sims2, an actual cake your sims can eat, and maybe even toasting and being able to have a proper bridal party. I'd be over the moon! But for now I'll just wait and see what they come out with.

[rian90]

Yes, it seems as many people are buying it but of course, the market is expanding and the percentage of the market may be lower. They seem to be concentrating on different types of games now. This could be the result of buggy releases and bad press or simply that there really isn't a lot new in Sims 3. While the casual gamer may be perfectly happy, they are usually not the sort that buys the EPs immediately on release, hence driving up those all important first week of sales and they are not the ones who spend lots of money at the store. Nor do they buy up everything in the store or get every single stuff pack. EA will keep making them because they do sell..but that doesn't mean that the same people keep playing them for long. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of games geared toward the niche market captured by The Sims games so for many, its worth a try. A purchased game ups sales, even if it sits in the desk drawer or is sold to a reseller.

About the computer specs through expansion 10...I wonder if weather ups the specs too much? If Sims 3 is selling well among casual gamers then they might be afraid to require higher end hardware and losing that chunk of the market. Serious players like us are more apt to spend lots of money to upgrade their computer just for one game (raises her hand) but many people are not. So a jump in requirements and people start bowing out. I also don't think the specs are cumulative. So you could play the base and that particular pack but not sure it contains the specs for the base, that pack and all the previous packs.

[jje1000]

Funny, but most of the people I know that play The Sims are not happy with it (my sister who introduced me to the game was so disappointed by it she has stopped playing it totally.) So really, you can't say what people think by self-appointed proxy and to say most people are happy with it is unfounded. The only votes and comments on forums that count are those of the players present. Because unless we actually hear from the rest of the other players not on forums --any comment on their behalf is purely fabrication.

Important thing to note: people who frequent Sim forums care abut it enough to actually post.

There might be a number that we don't know about who simply stop playing- they might not care and move onto another game.

[SoCalSimz]

Maybe this will be the EP to bring me back to TS3. Like others have mentioned, this one will be do or die for me I suppose. I've not touched ts3.exe since I reinstalled my old ts2 goodies and that was over 2months ago. With that said, the only thing that is really going to be able to pull me back is either something related to university or seasons really.

If I can skip class because it is raining, my sims better be able to as well dang it!

[saeda]

This is pretty much the kind of expansion I've been waiting for, something to give more depth to the younger sims. I'm hopeful that it will be a good addition, though I'm not sure if I'll be able to afford getting it right when it comes out.

[suzetter]

Important thing to note: people who frequent Sim forums care abut it enough to actually post.

There might be a number that we don't know about who simply stop playing- they might not care and move onto another game.

Exactly, That was my point.

[brillo_pad]

When I think about it I actually just want werewolves.. I can't see how they might be incorporated into this expansion... *sigh*

What would be the supernatural creature for this one?? Maybe witches with the whole generation skip thing.. or is that psychics? Idk. I'd be cool with either of those, though.

EDIT: Or Aliens!! with the whole pollination thing..

[moryrie]

^or Zombies? Attempting to take over the perfect suburbia?

Possibly a Big-Foot type thing as well if Camping ends up being involved? (After all, camping is a fun family activity, right?..)

[RoadRageBarbie]

I have to agree with the worst ep ever, not agree with definitley buying. If there are no Pets or Weather , I'll pass on that one

So, until you get these two rehashes, you're going to refuse to buy any other EP's, regardless of what they contain? Wow. Do I even have to point out how childish that sounds? It's okay. I'll be over here, enjoying NEW gameplay.

[matrix54]

^why did I get disliked so much. I'd assume people would want to actually... you know... build inside a tree house. O_O

[moryrie]

^maybe they want a 'build your own' ability, instead of a shell?

[matrix54]

I don't really see how a tree house could work (in a traditional sense), which was why I put shell.
I wouldn't mind having the "framework" like an elevated platform on a tree to build on.

What I really want is a boat to build in/on. The lengths that we go to to have house boats is ridiculous.

[smacksim2]

^why did I get disliked so much. I'd assume people would want to actually... you know... build inside a tree house. O_O

That is a bit odd. Not like you said "The EP will be bug free" or something equally ludicrous.

[Captain THPS4]

Possibly a Big-Foot type thing as well if Camping ends up being involved? (After all, camping is a fun family activity, right?..)

I'd love to have Bigfoot back, as long as they make him act and talk more differently from other sims than he did in BV. I remember he had the exact same voice as normal sims except for when he did the bigfoot hug. I think we technically got camping back in WA since that EP had tents. We don't have the log rolling or axe throwing though. Also, we just really need more occults that are not undead.

[traelia]

I don't know how I feel about this one. I don't know how much content they would have to scrape together to get a decent "worth-the-$40" expansion. I'll admit I bought Night Life completely on accident (damn Amazon One-Click) and I ended up liking it enough to be okay with my money being spent. But honestly I'm not feelin' this one. I don't think there's enough opportunity for content in the idea. I feel like it's going to be a medley of things that don't quite go together, but have no other EP that they belong to. Like camping, which was left out of WA, or babysitting and neighbor interactions that were left out of the apartment aspect of NL and actual hobbies that were left from Ambitions. I just pray to the sim gods that there won't be any questy sort things involved with this one. I can really do without the five year old "go find this and bring it back to me" crap. But overall, what I'm looking forward to hearing more about is new interactions between families, maybe memories and new objects exclusively for everyone who is NOT an YA/A. I wouldn't mind a Family Fun/Freetime mash up.. maybe family businesses? Who knows? I just think it's going to be a bunch of things that have no home in other and future EP's.

[smacksim2]

Ooh, juicy speculation. I'm excited too, more than I should be! I lol'd at the post with "If you interviewed people and asked what they want nobody would say 'generations'". And before books, nobody would say "Yes, go ahead and waste time straining papyrus through a screen, because we have faith in you". Its a good thing that EA (and Maxis before them) didn't just give people what they wanted. Innovation isn't about voting and being attached to the past. Quite the opposite. My guess: It won't suck too badly. It'll have a world, new behaviors, and maybe, just maybe, will make things a little easier for modders in some dimension or other, so that they can make the very most of whatever is coming from EAHQ.

I don't understand the fascination with weather? Can someone explain why that is so great? I liked the way Pets were done in TS2 actually. But I'm confident that we won't see the same thing in TS3, and I'm glad.

[ani_]

Honestly I'm a bit disappointed that it's already Saturday, and there has still not been any announcement. Even thou the announcement would probably have been the same text we already know, but maybe with one pic at least.


I don't understand the fascination with weather? Can someone explain why that is so great? Weather is nice for the effects, and the extra things you can do, like getting hit by lightning, snow day activities and so on, but I think what made seasons such a great EP was not the weather itself, but the ability to fish and garden. You take that away from the EP, and the weather alone is not enough to keep most people happy.

[LollySims]

those tree houses better be shells >.>

and I wish we could move shells. Just take everything inside and move it. But, you simply can't have everything.

Personally, I hate shells...I think they're ugly and sort of "fake" looking. They also seem sort of unnecessary for something as small as a treehouse.

I haven't given much thought to how treehouses might work, because frankly creative builders can already build nice-looking treehouses. The addition of ladders would be welcomed though, for many purposes other than treehouses. I have a feeling the treehouse will just be an object though and not something we build ourselves. It's not high on my want list, so I can't say I especially care one way or another.

I know a lot of people have been talking about EA haters, and I think it's a little silly to argue about. My only beef with EA is that I'm spoiled by the expansions we got with Sims 1 & 2. They just seemed to offer so much more than the EP's we've been getting with Sims 3. Do I hate them for it? Nah, I can't really hate a company who has still given me more hours of entertainment than just about any other game out there. Do I feel disappointed and frustrated with them? At times, sure, but I also understand that there isn't a single EP they can make that will satisfy everyone's wants. Though the level of bugs that come with each EP is and always has been inexcusable.

[LoonehWannabe]

I would love to have ladders. They would be perfect to get up to my medieval castle's roof. Or maybe for a peasant's house in my medieval 'hood...

[moryrie]

Ladders would be awesome for getting into sleeping lofts in tiny houses. The firepole works for that, but a ladder would be so much better. I hadn't actually thought of a ladder for a treehouse because all the ones I've been in involved climbing the actual tree, or a knotted bit of rope.

[cupcake12winx]

Generations? GENERATIONS? Oh lord, please tell me it has some awesome extra feature. I'm not really a fan of playing families in sims. However, one thing on that link caught my eye.

"At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space"

? 6? For ONE pack?! This thing had better have some good stuff in it to take up that much space..

[brillo_pad]

Doesn't "Generations" sound like more of a spin off than an EP?.. like "Medieval" and "Castaway"

[LollySims]

Ladders would be awesome for getting into sleeping lofts in tiny houses. The firepole works for that, but a ladder would be so much better. I hadn't actually thought of a ladder for a treehouse because all the ones I've been in involved climbing the actual tree, or a knotted bit of rope.

Oh that's funny, a ladder was the first thing that came to my mind. :lol: I've never actually been in a treehouse, but the ones I always used to see in movies as a kid had sort of a trap door in the middle of the floor with a ladder connected underneath. Though now that you mention it, I guess there are several different styles I didn't originally think of. I think ladders have just been on my mind lately, because I keep building lots that require them. ;)

[moryrie]

^I've also seen some that have planks nailed to the tree that form a 'ladder' of sorts. I never liked those much though. They're not very stable, and I generally felt bad for the tree. :/ But there is certainly a lot of variety in tree houses.


Think we'll get 'official' bunk beds this time around? That fits in with families.....

[Geah]

'Generations' sounds like an interesting title. Oh the possibilities! I'll be curious to see a trailer for this when it's announced. I agree with others who would like pets and weather in this EP, living with plenty of pets myself, I can't imagine living a life where it isn't raining cats and dogs! (Oh, bad pun! Sorry :lol:)

I must say it sucks to be an international sims player in regards to the prices we have to pay. I have all the TS2 EP's & SP's, and only played TS3 basegame when borrowed from a friend. Prices? TS3 basegame: $80 (Minimum, and that's now, when it came out it was $100) Late Night, World Adventures, Ambitions: $69 The SP's so far? $60 - 70! And when this new EP is released it will certainly be in the $75 - $90 reigon.

I think I shall be waiting until I am over in the US before I purchase any of the games. In the meantime, will be scrutinising every aspect of any and all future games before spending so much cash.

[thedivineone]

Is it just me or is EA making EPs way too fast? And in my honest opinion, EA needs to change the entire staff...

[ani_]

Is it just me or is EA making EPs way too fast? And in my honest opinion, EA needs to change the entire staff... EP's have always come out in a 6 month cycle. The only weird bit was when Ambition came in June, and LN in November, so it wasn't a full 6 month. In between there are SPs. Having The Sims Medieval come out next month, doesn't really have anything to do with TS3, as it's it's own game.

[thedivineone]

Oh, do pardon my lack of time awareness. But I still think EA needs some fresh ideas, I mean, generations? we had generations since TS2 came out!
We could use something new (or not so new): Pets, magic, weather and maybe a safari EP,new vacation spots would be amazing, imagine Africa or Aussie or Antarctica!

[LollySims]

Oh, do pardon my lack of time awareness. But I still think EA needs some fresh ideas, I mean, generations? we had generations since TS2 came out!
We could use something new (or not so new): Pets, magic, weather and maybe a safari EP,new vacation spots would be amazing, imagine Africa or Aussie or Antarctica!

I think "Generations" is going to prove to be a misleading title, or at least a poorly chosen one. Obviously we already have generations, as in families that can continue their bloodline as long as the player wants, however I'm assuming (or hoping) that the EP will add much more to family life, more than we even had in Sims 2.

Something that I think people forget (and frankly I do as well) is Sims 2 and Sims 3 seemed to start out with very different goals. Since Sims 2 didn't have a seamless neighborhood, there was much more focus on the Sims' home life and family life, since that was really all the player had at their fingertips. Sure, we ended up with a pretty good neighborhood in Sims 2 after all the EP's, but we still had loading screens to contend with, so I know I (and many others) still focused mainly on the Sims' life at home.

Sims 3 seems to be working in reverse. It started with an open neighborhood, shops, restaurants, a decent sense of community in the neighborhood (despite the annoying rabbit holes). But obviously the Sims can only be out on the town so much. Now the EP's have to go back and reflect what we originally had in Sims 2: a good home life. The first three EP's ignored this completely. They were all about doing even more stuff outside the house, and imo the Sims' personal lives are starting to feel a bit empty. I don't grow attach to my Sims in TS3 like I did in TS2. I'm hoping an EP focusing on family life will change that.

And just for the record, I always wanted an EP for The Sims 2 that had even more focus on family life, and it never came. So I do think this is a fresh idea. :)

[kiwi_tea]

I'm wracking my brains trying to think of an overall binding mechanism for this pack - something like adventuring/visas, celebrity status/bar hopping, or active careers - and I just can't come with anything really awesome that quite fits "generations". I must lack imagination. It won't just be a big bag of odds and ends, there must be some limited gameplay direction in the pack... ...but what? Maybe they'll turn each lifestage into a collection of disconnected minigames. :/

Aliens, Zombies, Bigfoot or Genie seem like the more viable occults. I'd quite like so see something totally new, but can't think of what would fit "Generations". Trolls? Goblins? Man, OT here, but I want Squidsims.

[LollySims]

I'm wracking my brains trying to think of an overall binding mechanism for this pack - something like adventuring/visas, celebrity status/bar hopping, or active careers - and I just can't come with anything really awesome that quite fits "generations".

This is where my brain stops too. Though I was just checking out another thread (not on the topic of Generations) discussing non-rabbit hole schools, and it made me wonder if that's a possibility as an addition, similar to how Ambitions gave us the ability to follow Sims to work. In which case, as someone mentioned before, they could introduce University as well. I loved TS2 Uni, but I worry about it being implemented into Sims 3. I really don't want another "area" that requires a loading screen. IMO it totally takes away from the point of Sims 3 which is the seamless neighborhood.

Apart from "real" schools or maybe pets, I really am stumped as to what else the key focus could be. It seems like there should be a ton of possibilities, but I'm drawing a blank.

[crocobaura]

I'm wracking my brains trying to think of an overall binding mechanism for this pack - something like adventuring/visas, celebrity status/bar hopping, or active careers - and I just can't come with anything really awesome that quite fits "generations". I must lack imagination. It won't just be a big bag of odds and ends, there must be some limited gameplay direction in the pack... ...but what? Maybe they'll turn each lifestage into a collection of disconnected minigames. :/

Aliens, Zombies, Bigfoot or Genie seem like the more viable occults. I'd quite like so see something totally new, but can't think of what would fit "Generations". Trolls? Goblins? Man, OT here, but I want Squidsims.


Maybe Generations is, just that, and deals with family life, and activities meant to enrich the family experience in game. I personally wouldn't mind if it consists of just odds and ends, as long as it improves the current gameplay we have and also brings new things to do for our sims.

[DreadWizardDM]

Wasnt there a Star Trek movie called "Generations"? Maybe the EP will have phasers, or at least handguns!

[rkalanu]

Good news! The following was found commented out in the Generations blurb on the Sims 3 site. This will be the best EP EVER:

Occults for Generations:
The twin girls who wanted Danny to play forever, and ever, and ever
Gomez Adams
The tooth fairy
The titty fairy
The incontinence fairy
Octomom

Traits for Generations:
Loves Jello and Pretzel Salad
Hates Jello and Pretzel Salad
Ulcerous
Testosterone Poisoned
Easily Clogged Pores

New Skills:
Projectile Vomiting
Golfing

[Petchy]

The titty fairy
..
Octomom
...
Projectile Vomiting

Sorry.. WHAT?
Is this even the Sims?! xD

[Inge Jones]

Hahahaha!

[Laisanae]

Oh coo... wait, WHAT?

[suzetter]

I think "Generations" is going to prove to be a misleading title, or at least a poorly chosen one. Obviously we already have generations, as in families that can continue their bloodline as long as the player wants, however I'm assuming (or hoping) that the EP will add much more to family life, more than we even had in Sims 2.

Something that I think people forget (and frankly I do as well) is Sims 2 and Sims 3 seemed to start out with very different goals. Since Sims 2 didn't have a seamless neighborhood, there was much more focus on the Sims' home life and family life, since that was really all the player had at their fingertips. Sure, we ended up with a pretty good neighborhood in Sims 2 after all the EP's, but we still had loading screens to contend with, so I know I (and many others) still focused mainly on the Sims' life at home.

Sims 3 seems to be working in reverse. It started with an open neighborhood, shops, restaurants, a decent sense of community in the neighborhood (despite the annoying rabbit holes). But obviously the Sims can only be out on the town so much. Now the EP's have to go back and reflect what we originally had in Sims 2: a good home life. The first three EP's ignored this completely. They were all about doing even more stuff outside the house, and imo the Sims' personal lives are starting to feel a bit empty. I don't grow attach to my Sims in TS3 like I did in TS2. I'm hoping an EP focusing on family life will change that.

And just for the record, I always wanted an EP for The Sims 2 that had even more focus on family life, and it never came. So I do think this is a fresh idea. :)

We don't even know that generations will be the next EP or anything about it. Wouldn't this thread be funny if it isn't? However, the rumor prevails. And that's fine by me as I like playingfamily story lines.

I felt TS3 base had no sense of community because of the Rabbit Holes and we did not have shops or restaurants--we had Rabbit Holes. All we really had was parks. So it was either go to the park, stand on the street talking, pick up stuff on the ground, and fish and garden. There was our open neighborhood with little to do. Not a well planned delivery if you ask me. So with no where to go many a sim spent a good deal of time at home where they did NOT dive into their pools, did NOt play darts with friends, did NOT have family meals, did NOT dance with their kids, did NOT bathe their toddlers, did NOT comfort their elders, did NOT really acknowledge each other much unless they were looking to be fed, changed or woohoo. A sad, listless society it was.

And a lot of players have felt detached from their sims like you have expressed. I believe its because they were too robotic and hence there was nothing to be attached too. They lacked real personality.

In all fairness, I have to say that EP2 bought more activities and EP3 bought more interactions. There's hope yet. If this next EP expands relationships, family dynamics, and brings focus to the neglected ages of toddlers, kids, teens, and elders than I'm all for it.

So there may be something in what you say about EA approaching the TS3 evolution in reverse compared to TS2. (An ass backwards approach IMHO).

I know a lot of people have been talking about EA haters, and I think it's a little silly to argue about. My only beef with EA is that I'm spoiled by the expansions we got with Sims 1 & 2. They just seemed to offer so much more than the EP's we've been getting with Sims 3. Do I hate them for it? Nah, I can't really hate a company who has still given me more hours of entertainment than just about any other game out there. Do I feel disappointed and frustrated with them? At times, sure, but I also understand that there isn't a single EP they can make that will satisfy everyone's wants. Though the level of bugs that come with each EP is and always has been inexcusable.

People don't really talk about haters so much on these boards--that sort of childish black and white thinking is seen more on the official site. Ani just bought that up for some unknown reason. http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3456458#post3456458

I can't really love/hate a company for making a video game as that's the business they are in. However, I am appalled at the lack of care put into the Sims production so far. I'm one of the lucky ones -- I've had few if any game bugs or problems but the amount that have been reported is astounding. The fact that patches are problematic is laughable (NOT!). WT!? That's akin to a doctor giving you medicine that makes you sicker. Not good. And the audacity of the whole logging people while they play and roam the internet--OMG! Hello, how do you say s-p-y-i-n-g? But I think a real example of not getting best effort from the Sims/EA team is that they have produced content that is incompatible with their own content. Windows and doors not working? :wtf: Is there really any good excuse for that? UH, I believe that would be a "No".

EA can do better but they will not unless called upon to do so.

What bothers me most about EA's TS3 is how the Sim themselves have been secondary to the content and directed play. Hopefully, this is changing. They now say goodbye and that took 3 eps to materialize (yea, EA really paying attention to what you're doing! Way to Go ! Whooooo!)

I can never understand how players who have been given the same slipshod effort rise up to defend EA as though EA were some friend of theirs. EA is just a company that sells a video game that everyone on this forum plays. There is no player-EA relationship, friendship, or partnership despite any marketing rhetoric given. You see that misguided saccharine devotion all over the official website. Rather sickening it is.

At the end of the day two sim players (even of opposing opinions) would have more in common than an individual player and mega electronic game company.

I am not a fan of EA's but the company and the game are not one and the same. Also, while I am not happy about the game direction so far I still play it and obviosly don't hate it. I don't think anyone on this forum honestly hates or loves this game 100%. Everyone plays it and likes it just some more and some less. :)

[traelia]

OOOHH the site is down ;) Maybe they are announcing it finally. :D

[matrix54]

not for me :p

[smacksim2]

I must lack imagination.
Signature: Kiwi_tea World Updates (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=410532): Latest - Niua Simoa for WA: Prepopulated.
I LOL'd . Yes clearly you are lacking in that department!

.............

But now that we know there'll be a titty fairy and acne I think we're all set for the best EP ever, creativity or not!

[traelia]

Sorry if I'm out of the loop.. but what on EARTH is a titty fairy? Is there a translation loss there?

[smacksim2]

Sorry if I'm out of the loop.. but what on EARTH is a titty fairy? Is there a translation loss there?
Google Knows:
Ode to the titty fairy (http://mamasminutia.blogspot.com/2009/01/ode-to-titty-fairy.html)

[Rikachu]

Generations? GENERATIONS? Oh lord, please tell me it has some awesome extra feature. I'm not really a fan of playing families in sims. However, one thing on that link caught my eye.

"At least 6.1 GB of hard drive space"

? 6? For ONE pack?! This thing had better have some good stuff in it to take up that much space..

I'm almost certain that accounts for both the EP and the base game.

[frankie]

This is quite interesting if done right. I wonder if "Generations" can also mean that a new preteen life stage will be added (since I read that preteens now exist as the oldest age that children can grow up to in The Sims Medieval). If it translates to life stages in other languages, then it would only make sense to add a new one. Preteen is really the only life stage left for the completion of the cycle.

I also think that this a great opportunity to add a college/university option for young adults and older. Even if it is a rabbit hole, I'd rather have a college option than none. Perhaps have it so that Sims who choose to go to college will get paid more, or by adding the college rabbit hole, college-required careers (such as medicine and education) would be only available through college first. But of course, college must be optional for those who are not interested in that aspect, much like the laundry system in "Ambitions". Dorms can serve as a new lot type so that our Sims can choose whether they want to live on or off campus. This can all work in your very own town, provided that there is enough space. I miss having a university. My Sims feel so uneducated. Even my nerdy Sims find it insulting not to be able to go college. ;)

[Ive]

If this is done properly it could be that which would really make TS3 more in-depth and homely for me. I always just play "everyday" stuff.

Excited to see how it develops (has to be true if it's on the official site :()

[ani_]

This is quite interesting if done right. I wonder if "Generations" can also mean that a new preteen life stage will be added (since I read that preteens now exist as the oldest age that children can grow up to in The Sims Medieval). If it translates to life stages in other languages, then it would only make sense to add a new one. Preteen is really the only life stage left for the completion of the cycle. The problem with Sim kids and teens is that there is no huge difference in them. Sure teens can do stuff EA disabled from kids, that should be really enabled for them like doing laundry, playing music, and gardening to name a few, but for the exception of having wants to stay out of curfew, and get a job, there is not that much to distinguish them from kids. Unless teens get updated a great deal in Generations, so they would have more real teen wants, having one more age between them and kids wouldn't make a big difference in the game. If they do decide to add it, they need to make pre-teens have at least some wants that neither kids or teens have, otherwise pre-teens end up being just another birthday to throw.

[Srikandi]

I like the University idea, and I think that's a real possibility. A university option that's really integrated into the game and doesn't involve a special, limited subhood would be very welcome.

[Stranded]

I think this expansion will be really Boring. In my opinion the expansions after Ambitions are a failure \even Late Night\. If I think more deeply about EA Sims 3 my mind clearly says this game made me totally disappointed. So I uninstalled it. I''ll try Medieval although.

[thedivineone]

Ok, just to make things a bit clear, WA introduced us to adventures and vacation spots, LN introduced a mini hollywood with vampires, Ambitions introduced new jobs and giving the ability to follow sims to work, is that right? Generations however leaves me quite blank. I agree that Uni would be very super especially if it was in the same neighborhood, maybe they will introduce pre-school activities for toddlers?
or maybe smoking? This EP has left me with a headache trying to figure it out.

[brillo_pad]

Uni - yeah! I thought from the beginning having young adults must mean they have young adult-y things to do, like uni.. but... there was nothing different. I hope it's included in this EP, then, if I can't get ma werewolves! And hopefully they'll do zombies again.

[DigitalSympathies]

I vote that it'll introduce new lifestages. Midlife crisis kind of advertises at something between Adult and Elder. Preteens are a possibility, but will probably be annoying - either like TS2's hacked kids which half the time looked like Barbies, or will just be taller kids with few options.

Maybe they'll bring back Private School. PLEASE BRING BACK PRIVATE SCHOOL. The wedding arch'd be nice too.

[Srikandi]

In my opinion the expansions after Ambitions are a failure \even Late Night\.

You realize there's only ONE expansion after Ambitions, right? ;) Sooooo... you've liked two thirds of the EPs so far? Not bad :)

[thedivineone]

I vote for private schools, uni, pre-school activities, actual tree houses that do not act like rabbit holes, zombies, more things for teens to do!

[mickeymouse254]

I that this EP will highlight the milestones in sims lives. Maybe some cutscenes or memories? Like special interactions for Wedding Planning, Bachelor Parties, First days of school, first date/kiss, ect.

[Elias943]

I have high expectations from this expansion pack..
From the start this family feeling was absent from The Sims 3...
I really hope that they can add many features that we miss from The Sims 2 such as Memories (Personally i MISS that feature) and baby interactions like the changing table or bathing them in the sink...
These little things made The Sims 2 an awesome game...
Almost complete for me..

I want to believe in TS3 but EA disappointed me many time (World Adventures , Ambitions )

Please EA don't screw this up!
Make this an awesome expansion and bring back the charm of TS1 and TS2 back!

[Ive]

For me a problem is that everything can be decided by the player. You can modify traits and everything and nothing has any real consequenses (like cheating or marrying someone). What I mean about this is that if it would be that they introduced things like midlife crisis then it has to actually be that, a crisis. I miss not having so much control over the sims and not having them act out or go totally against what you set them out to do. A rebel teen is nothing more than grumpy with the traits and the rest is chosen by you (actions, what wishes you fulfill, style, etc) If a sim gets divorced there is nothing really special about it as if it never happened. Say the relationship with the sim could be set to how the status was at the time of the divorce i.e if they hated each other then that would stand and it would be very hard to get it to turn. Popping out another baby is just like it's nothing. It should be harder and actually matter in some way dammit!

If somehow EA managed to make the different lifestyles and events/happenings actually matter then I could soon see TS3 go up in the ranks. And something titled generations would be the perfect expansion to add what should have already been there

I would love a rebel squatters house that teens who run away could go live in. Of course if something like that was implemented by EA then it would be in overdrive and every teen would run away at some point ;)

[DigitalSympathies]

I had a cutscene in TS3, before the first patch, just once. My sim tried to get engaged and they were rejected. I swear on my life there was a cutscene. I never got it again T______T

I also vote for rebels! Yay!

[Robodl95]

Saw this on Simprograms a few days ago, just found this thread

I'm super excited about this EP! So much potential. I'm still hoping for clubs and stuff for kids to join.

[lewisb40]

Would enjoy University too in this open neighborhood. There are so many possibilities on how it can be done, maybe a building/rabbithole and use the elders as part time professors, teaching all they have learned in their lifetime experiences. Sure it will be open for YAs, but Adults can enroll like a night school thing working towards a degree, or take the classes there to enhance job promotion. Okay, my imagination is going wild again.

[Miko09]

I really hope that private/open schools, Universities, or something big of that nature happens to come out as the main feature for this upcoming EP because tons of interactions and a new life stage just doesn't seem enough for a full expansion pack. It may be enough for some, but even with all the laundromats, apartments, clubs, and tattoo parlors, the seamless world still seems a little empty to me. That's what I think the towns are missing: culture. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm stepping on anyone's toes here. There are a lot of custom worlds out there that use what resources are available to really capture a certain atmosphere and do it quite well: Coasterboi's Los Aniegos and kiwi tea's Riverblossom Hills comes to mind. It's just that a lot of the activities to do in town are almost the same across the board because those are the only things EA has offered the community.

Even though EA tries to fix this by creating different types of towns such as farming communities and bustling cities, it fails to make a big difference because a lot of the actual community is the same(rabbitholes). I know there's a small chance of it happening, but it would be awesome if EA introduced ownable shops and restaurants in the next EP. Even venues like a bakery or a pizza shop would bring life back to the neighborhood. If this midlife crisis is really a part of the game, it would be neat for one of my over 40 sims to open up a restaurant as a dream s/he never realized s/he wanted until menopause/balding lol.

[mickeymouse254]

I found this sims 3 cutscene one youtube, never had any in game though
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy6D6AhXSl8

[Angstrom]

"Tree houses, pranks and mid-life crises" seems to be the lamest sales pitch ever for a Sims expansion pack.

Hopefully, the beef is something else, and this is just a blunder of the marketing department.

Generations is a very vague title, even more vague than Free Time was.

But this is a good opportunity to make schools meaningful. As they could be with The Sims 3: A-Plus:

http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=2796071#post2796071

[LollySims]

I like the University idea, and I think that's a real possibility. A university option that's really integrated into the game and doesn't involve a special, limited subhood would be very welcome.

Yes, whenever we get University, I want it to be part of the neighborhood. As much as I enjoyed TS2 Uni, I hated how after the fairly long university play, my Sim would return home to find her parents not aged one bit, and still cooking the same meal or reading the same book or whatever as when they left. University with story progression would be great! Plus there could be the option for the Sim to remain living at home while they go off to college, instead of living in a dorm, which would be nice for legacy families.

It only just occurred to me what I've always wanted with babies and toddlers: multitasking! I want Sims to be able to hold their baby/toddler while talking on the phone, cooking, etc. I want them to be able to sit down while holding a baby, or have a toddler be able to sit on their lap, or even be able to climb up and sit beside them on the couch. While babies are being held, I'd love it if social was increased and have tired babies fall asleep in their parents' arms :lovestruc

Toddlers should be able to go up and down stairs, maybe after learning the walking skill. And for that matter, skills they learn (or don't learn) should have more of an impact on their adult life. Toddlers who aren't potty-trained could have bedwetting issues as a child, and maybe a weaker bladder as an adult (making the "steel bladder" award more important). Not learning how to talk could result in getting the automatic trait of loner or shyness, when they grow into a child. Maybe they could be slower to learn charisma as an adult. Not learning to walk could give them the clumsiness trait, and maybe affect their athletic skill as they get older.

Right now, there aren't any real consequences to not raising toddlers properly, except for sometimes you're given a random "bad" trait when they age up. I don't really think getting a trait like "hates the outdoors" is enough of an incentive to make players ensure that toddlers learn their proper skills :P

[lewisb40]

It has been a long time since I actually play an infant in the family for more than one day, but I am sure parents can talk on the phone and do some interactions while holding the infant/toddler. I know they can hold an infant while sitting, but not sure about toddlers. I have seen my parents hold the infant and watch TV, while sitting.

[LifesLover]

Sims can talk on the phone and watch TV and interact with other Sims while holding their toddlers and babies. Everything else in your post, however, I agree with, LollySims. I would love for there to be real consequences to not learning to potty train or how to walk.

I don't see what's so bad about the Generations EP so far. Some people are complaining and yet we know hardly anything about it. A few lines does not an entire EP make. So far, while LN and Ambitions and WA might have disappointed some (or many), we cannot ignore the fact that we did get a lot of content and new animations and new things to do with each one. I'm still finding out all that I have in each EP I own. We might not like some of the small things that EA chooses to do with the EP, but for the most part, those are fixable, either by EA or by modders on this and other sites.

So, until I find out more about the new EP, I'm going to hold off on judging it.

[LollySims]

It has been a long time since I actually play an infant in the family for more than one day, but I am sure parents can talk on the phone and do some interactions while holding the infant/toddler. I know they can hold an infant while sitting, but not sure about toddlers. I have seen my parents hold the infant and watch TV, while sitting.

Whoa really?? :blink: I recently had a Sim holding a baby and watching tv while standing, when there was seating available, which made me think of it. I also have never seen them talk on the phone. How odd. Of course it seems like my Sims are always antsy to set down babies if no interactions are lined up and go off to do other things. Funnily enough though, for the first time a few days ago, I saw my Sim autonomously carry his baby when I directed him to city hall to get a name change. That was kind of cute.

I still think the bond between parents and babies/toddlers could be stronger. My Sim babies/toddlers always seem to have low social from being ignored for so long :cry:

[lewisb40]

I found 3 old screens from when I first started playing Sims 3. Here is Hunter Cottoneye holding his son while talking on the phone (when I first saw this happen and thought it was cool), and when Hunter snapped off on someone, insulting them.

The last one is my sim watching TV while holding her infant.

[LollySims]

I found 3 old screens from when I first started playing Sims 3. Here is Hunter Cottoneye holding his son while talking on the phone (when I first saw this happen and thought it was cool), and when Hunter snapped off on someone, insulting them.

The last one is my sim watching TV while holding her infant.

It's funny, I just tested it in my game, and while my Sim was holding the baby I queued up "watch tv" and she walked over and stood by the (empty) couch to watch tv. Then I directed her to sit, then watch tv and that worked. I guess I just always assumed that they couldn't sit down, since they automatically stand when you just use the "watch tv" option on its own. Weird! It's amazing how long you can have the Sims games and still discover something new!

The one thing that bothers me about it though, is the clipping issues. She had one hand holding the baby and the other one resting on her knee, and the resting one was clipping through the end of the baby. I think there's plenty of room for improvements there, especially increasing the baby's social while being held. Although it's adorable, there isn't much point to it, since the baby is almost like an accessory, and it's not getting any benefit from being held. The Sim never even looks down at the baby or acknowledge that their holding it. They should be able to snuggle and feed it, at least, while sitting.

Love the pics btw! :)

*ETA: Just tested a Sim holding a toddler while sitting, and at first it really glitched out (toddler ended up in a lying position, his head through the back of the couch :wtf:), but then I tried again and it worked fine. Just can't believe I never knew this :faceslap:

[lewisb40]

I think there's plenty of room for improvements there, especially increasing the baby's social while being held. Although it's adorable, there isn't much point to it, since the baby is almost like an accessory, and it's not getting any benefit from being held. The Sim never even looks down at the baby or acknowledge that their holding it. They should be able to snuggle and feed it, at least, while sitting.



That is a great idea. Yes, you are right about the infant is just an accessory, your idea would help in giving social to the infant and make the action quite endearing. If that was implemented in the game, I would play my infant age more. Now I give it one day and grow them up to toddler. :anime:

[alan650]

I really hope Generations is a full-out family expansion pack. They need to add a ton of family interactions such as family hug, kiss, and interaction between family members in general. I was thinking yesterday how cute it would be if grandchildren could sit on their grandparent's lap or something like that. There could be friendly teasing added and the show off interactions for kids could be brought back too because they were so cute. I wouldn't mind if they ported every single family animation/interaction from The Sims 2 and then also added some brand new ones!

Anyway, I hope the pack adds a ton of new animations and things such as the ability to hold hands and talk while walking, slow dancing, real dates, and the like.

The pack also needs to add family friendly lots such as fully functional restaurants, bowling alleys, skating rinks, or even a Chuckie Cheese-like place! That would be so fun!

I like the idea of teen pranks and adult mid-life crises because it gives me the sense of more random happenings. I think this game needs more unexpected moments of drama!

I also hope Generations has a wedding planner. Imagine all the wedding objects and then some being brought back! We could have a window that came up that would let us choose the venue and color scheme and what bouquet and so on and so forth! I have so many ideas so I am just rambling now!!!

To sum this post up, I really hope Generations is a true family pack!!!

[alan650]

After mentioning bouquets I thought of an awesome skill that could be with this pack--flower arranging! They had something similar in Open for Business and perhaps they could add random flowers to grow in the world and you could pick them and use them for various things such as arranging bouquets for weddings or for a vase at home.

I also saw an idea for a jewelery making skill on The Sims 3 Official Forum which sounded awesome as well. Basically, with all the gems you collect you could make your own jewelry. It would bring up a CAS-like screen that would allow you to customize different things about your necklace, bracelet, or whatever jewelery it may be!

I am pretty much up for any skill or feature that adds more customization and open-ended creativity to the game! To me, that is what makes Sims so amazing!

LONG LIVE SIMS 3--THE BEST OF THE FRANCHISE! :)

[PuddleJumper]

I think it seems interesting. I'm hoping the supernatural is an alien though. That would be reason enough for me to buy it. :D

[tryguy]

I just thought... at the rate the expansions and store have been filling computer memory (with more and more objects doing the same thing), perhaps EA is starting to think of moving towards more functionality rather than cosmetics. New models and skins take room. And if EA wants to have a long running line of expansions, they really need to start making the most of their already-installed assets.

Already, people are complaining about neighborhoods that have become too big to play (both in load time and because of crippling errors within the save file).

So, I like the idea of adding a heap of scripts and animations. That's provides some great expansion possibilities to normal play, which has been a bit lacking. So... I have hopes this expansion will be a real "filler". :)

[Ive]

I think it seems interesting. I'm hoping the supernatural is an alien though. That would be reason enough for me to buy it. :D

Yes! Please say it's going to be aliens in the next expansion :lovestruc

[AngelicScot]

I have to say, when I saw the title of the rumoured expansion, it left me cold. I am being pessimistic, I know, but I don't really see the Sims Team OR EA doing anything to improve what is lacking in this incarnation of the series. Every single EP to date has had the community of long-time Simmers excited with the possiblities, only to have very little of it come to fruition. It's obviously "planned obsolescence" come to video gaming. New EP, three to four months of enjoyment. Boredom and anticipation for the next newest thing. Smart for a business model, really. Could be why Detroit has done it for decades. While I still enjoy playing Sims (mainly 2), and I will perhaps always enjoy playing, nothing that has been coming from the Sims Team since 2009 really excites me. For those whom it does, I'm glad for them and wish them many years of enjoyment.

[Laisanae]

It would be so nice, if with this family-life style EP, that would be an option to make family pictures, maybe albums.
It really annoys me, that my sims leave no mark after they die.

[alan650]

It would be so nice, if with this family-life style EP, that would be an option to make family pictures, maybe albums.
It really annoys me, that my sims leave no mark after they die.

You can technically already have family pictures to hang on the wall. I like using Twallan's Animator mod and have the Sims stick to a pose and then use the "moveobjects on" cheat to move them in for a family photo and have a sim take a picture! It works like a charm.

[Deeney]

I'm guessing by the name thats it going to be generational as in "ancient times", "dark ages", "50's" etc with what they wore, what they ate what they did, like a mayfair pole, probably billards or pool (I miss this).

[LollySims]

I'm guessing by the name thats it going to be generational as in "ancient times", "dark ages", "50's" etc with what they wore, what they ate what they did, like a mayfair pole, probably billards or pool (I miss this).

Although this idea does sound interesting, I think going by the blurb on the original post, it's safe to assume that it will be an EP about current family life and those generations, rather than dealing with other eras.

Out of curiosity, speaking of the blurb on the first post, does anyone know where that's from? I saw it at SnootySims but they don't give a reference either. Is there an official source to this?

[kiwi_tea]

It's from the registration page for the game on The Sims 3 official site. You can see the blurb in google's preview of the page in search listings, although I don't think you can browse to the page.

[LollySims]

It's from the registration page for the game on The Sims 3 official site. You can see the blurb in google's preview of the page in search listings, although I don't think you can browse to the page.

Oh thanks! That makes it feel a bit more official. I hope we get a "real" announcement this week though.

[Laisanae]

You can technically already have family pictures to hang on the wall. I like using Twallan's Animator mod and have the Sims stick to a pose and then use the "moveobjects on" cheat to move them in for a family photo and have a sim take a picture! It works like a charm.


And it takes hours, because those idiots always walk away. It would be still easier, if there would be a Gather for group photo option.

Btw, moveobjects makes them sink in the ground, or whatever, sometimes they can't move after that, and I have to reset them. It's an annoying process.

[Evilrex]

Meh. Midlife crisis? So that's basically a negative moodlet which will probably end up being annoying.
Tree houses? I'm sure they'll probably be just a single object. (Rather then being able to actually place the tree house in any desired tree).
And pranks? So I'm guessing that's just making phone calls unnecessarily.
This sounds terrible. What a shame really, just why not give us what we want?

All I can hope is that the patch which comes with it makes improvements to the mess they've already made. (Error code 12, missing sims, poor performance)

[salmiakk]

No, don't see this as someting I want for my game. I want something that's going to make me remember my sims, like memories. Not mid-life-crisis-moodlets.

[acid_fairy]

Hey guys, it hasn't been officially announced yet. We have NO idea what else it will contain. I'm seeing mid life crises as something akin to aspiration failure in TS2 (which always cracked me up), just with more depth. I hope so, anyway. I'd love it if a female mid life crisis were to want a boob job or something similar, and if they couldn't afford it they'd resort to stuffing their bra :lol: Unlikely but hey, I can wish!

I've been thinking of what teens could do; it's difficult! Better dating, obviously. Sleepovers. Maybe roller blades and skate boards, and roller rinks and skate parks to go with them. Being able to make out in cars would be awesome, they could have a 50s style make out spot! Love for them to get a job as a babysitter and for us to actually go with them on that; similar to Ambitions style professions, but just one job a day.
Ooh ooh facial piercings too pls EA thx.

[kennyinbmore]

I really hope Generations is a full-out family expansion pack. They need to add a ton of family interactions such as family hug, kiss, and interaction between family members in general. I was thinking yesterday how cute it would be if grandchildren could sit on their grandparent's lap or something like that. There could be friendly teasing added and the show off interactions for kids could be brought back too because they were so cute. I wouldn't mind if they ported every single family animation/interaction from The Sims 2 and then also added some brand new ones!

Anyway, I hope the pack adds a ton of new animations and things such as the ability to hold hands and talk while walking, slow dancing, real dates, and the like.

The pack also needs to add family friendly lots such as fully functional restaurants, bowling alleys, skating rinks, or even a Chuckie Cheese-like place! That would be so fun!

I like the idea of teen pranks and adult mid-life crises because it gives me the sense of more random happenings. I think this game needs more unexpected moments of drama!

I also hope Generations has a wedding planner. Imagine all the wedding objects and then some being brought back! We could have a window that came up that would let us choose the venue and color scheme and what bouquet and so on and so forth! I have so many ideas so I am just rambling now!!!

To sum this post up, I really hope Generations is a true family pack!!!

You don't want much , do ya? ;) Seriously, I see a big buggy mess if EA attempted anything close to that

[Ive]

Ooh ooh facial piercings too pls EA thx.

Second that! Could be in any expansion really though LN would have been the most fitting so far.

[DigitalSympathies]

GUYS. GUYS. GUYS.

I think that Aliens will be the supernatural because Aliens = Alien babies? And Generations is about new lifestages and such, so Aliens = Babies = New lifestages? :)

Just putting in my two cent's worth again.

[game90]

You know, EA still has not officially announce the next EP. For all you know, it might actually be something else :)

[alan650]

And it takes hours, because those idiots always walk away. It would be still easier, if there would be a Gather for group photo option.

Btw, moveobjects makes them sink in the ground, or whatever, sometimes they can't move after that, and I have to reset them. It's an annoying process.

I agree that there should be a "Gather For Group Photo" option. I have never had any problem with sinking in the ground or even heard of that issue. With Twallan's animator mod they don't walk away. You pick a pose/animation and they loop it until you tell them to stop. It makes it very easy to take group photos. You should try it out! :)

[alan650]

You don't want much , do ya? ;) Seriously, I see a big buggy mess if EA attempted anything close to that

I honestly don't think I listed too much in that! lol If we are going to be paying 40 dollars we should get our money's worth!

[kennyinbmore]

I honestly don't think I listed too much in that! lol If we are going to be paying 40 dollars we should get our money's worth!

I suggest you look at that list again. To start with your talking 9 or 10 new interactions. Probably more because you're talking every interaction from TS2. Fully functioning restaurants and weddings. And you expect EA to put all of that in one expansion pack and do it without 10 patches to follow the release of it. Good luck because you must don't remember EA's track record. This is the same company that has babies that are bumps on a log and can't even apparently program a sim to walk from his house to get in the car or keep cars from flying through each other. We can all dream , but good luck :lol:

[LollySims]

The pack also needs to add family friendly lots such as fully functional restaurants, bowling alleys, skating rinks, or even a Chuckie Cheese-like place! That would be so fun!

I never thought of a Chuck-E-Cheese type place...that would be awesome! It doesn't seem terribly unfeasible either. There could be a food stand that serves pizza and maybe other "junk" food, some costumed characters that could interact with kids (didn't we have something like that in TS1?), and a few added games like air hockey, skeeball, and a ball pit. It seems like they could implement a system for exchanging tickets for prizes too, and kids would have a new thing to try to collect. Again, didn't we have something similar in TS1 or has my memory failed me?

Anyway, I really like this idea; there would be so much potential for fun custom built lots :)

[Ive]

You know, EA still has not officially announce the next EP. For all you know, it might actually be something else :)

There is no fun in sitting back and waiting :(

I don't see why they would put the specs on the website before an announcement, stating the name and nothing else except for wanting the community to create buzz about it. After all, hype is what EA does best.

[kiwi_tea]

I want a "fort-making kit". Basically it's a just a bedroom sheet folded up that kids can have in their inventory. If the house has two couches together like this _| |_ then kids can throw the blanket over the top of the couchs and make a fort inside to play in. Gives a moodlet, allows kids to play a unique set of games.

Also, aunt/uncle/grandparent specific interactions.

[Srikandi]

I want a "fort-making kit". Basically it's a just a bedroom sheet folded up that kids can have in their inventory. If the house has two couches together like this _| |_ then kids can throw the blanket over the top of the couchs and make a fort inside to play in. Gives a moodlet, allows kids to play a unique set of games.

Also, aunt/uncle/grandparent specific interactions.

You want a sandcastle-making kit ;) I read your Wiki!

[kiwi_tea]

OMG YES! But how would they get the particles to flow right? I will not accept anything less than a fully constructed sand simulator for The Sims 3. Just bump up the required game specs a few thousand notches. It'll be fine! :D

[Laisanae]

I agree that there should be a "Gather For Group Photo" option. I have never had any problem with sinking in the ground or even heard of that issue. With Twallan's animator mod they don't walk away. You pick a pose/animation and they loop it until you tell them to stop. It makes it very easy to take group photos. You should try it out! :)

Okay, thanks. :)

[alan650]

I suggest you look at that list again. To start with your talking 9 or 10 new interactions. Probably more because you're talking every interaction from TS2. Fully functioning restaurants and weddings. And you expect EA to put all of that in one expansion pack and do it without 10 patches to follow the release of it. Good luck because you must don't remember EA's track record. This is the same company that has babies that are bumps on a log and can't even apparently program a sim to walk from his house to get in the car or keep cars from flying through each other. We can all dream , but good luck :lol:

I guess adding ALL the Sims 2 interactions may be a bit much! lol. How about just a lot of new family interactions instead? I think that would make this expansion idea a bit more feasible!

[mickeymouse254]

I read something on the BBS, and someone suggested the main idea could be like a "passage of time" And I was really hoping that meant weather and seasons! Im just itching to have Sims 2 Seasons recreated in someway, Im installing seasons now.

[Robodl95]

I suggest you look at that list again. To start with your talking 9 or 10 new interactions. Probably more because you're talking every interaction from TS2. Fully functioning restaurants and weddings. And you expect EA to put all of that in one expansion pack and do it without 10 patches to follow the release of it. Good luck because you must don't remember EA's track record. This is the same company that has babies that are bumps on a log and can't even apparently program a sim to walk from his house to get in the car or keep cars from flying through each other. We can all dream , but good luck :lol:

You know that there are upwards of probably 50-100 animations in every EP right?

[kennyinbmore]

You know that there are upwards of probably 50-100 animations in every EP right?

I've never tried to count them but that number sounds a bit high to me

[cocogrrl]

Ugh. EA needs to make an official announcement and gives us some details about this EP. The suspense is killing me. I NEED to know more.

[moryrie]

I've never tried to count them but that number sounds a bit high to me

Every new trait has several different idles associated with it, some CAS specific, some game specific. With every new skill, there are new animations that have to be created to make every object associated with that skill usable, and different levels of them at that, as pros and beginners need different animations.. And then, there are generally some random objects, some which have hidden skills (snake charming, bubble blowing) which also need different animations at different 'levels'. There are also other objects which require animations to work that are not skill or hidden skill related (laundry).

That isn't even counting occult specific idles and interactions, or different conversation interactions like the songs in WA.

Those little things add up quickly.

[Ive]

Also, aunt/uncle/grandparent specific interactions.

Agreed on this one. There is a serious lack of second family interactions.

I'd love to have a sort of 'visit grandparents' wish and specific activities they could do. Something like they could bake for example :(

[Miko09]

I think the EP is going to be announced very very soon. The number spot on the offical sims 3 site little new feed thingy is empty. I'm on the edge of my chair :D

[Kestie Freehawk]

While adding piano playing for kids would be nice, they also should allow for the acoustic guitar and drum set as well. (Drawing the line at electric guitars because those are heavier, louder, ect, and I've never seen kids get into anything but trouble with messing around with them. Myself included.)

I still cant even play a acoustical guitar, as my fingers are too sensitive to hold the Chord and they eventually cut my finger tips, but the electric ones are the worst, I cant imagine giving one to a kid. *shudder*

I do have a yamaha synth and think they are way cool for kids ;)

[brillo_pad]

I think the EP is going to be announced very very soon. The number spot on the offical sims 3 site little new feed thingy is empty. I'm on the edge of my chair :D

The site is down for "maintenance" ooooOOOOO000000OOOOooooh.. Or they could have actually just broken it, idk..

[Ive]

Seems to be down every time I try to go on the site, ever :blink:

[lewisb40]

The site may be overrun with people trying to find out if there is an announcement. That website can't handle that. :giggler:

[Kestie Freehawk]

I just hope that it will install, run and save, though I suspect I will have to prime it again with a occupied house like I had to do with Late Night.
(I really want more than that but that is the minimum.) I had hoped for an apartment life like expansion, but Family Life isnt so bad ;)
My new computer doesnt have DEP enabled so if worse comes to worse, I will play on that one and watch TV on this one.

[Tempscire]

... some costumed characters that could interact with kids (didn't we have something like that in TS1?), and a few added games like air hockey, skeeball, and a ball pit. It seems like they could implement a system for exchanging tickets for prizes too, and kids would have a new thing to try to collect. Again, didn't we have something similar in TS1 or has my memory failed me?
Yep, the Vacations pack introduced both of those. Each vacation area had its own costumed mascot (Betty Yeti, Marky Sharky, and... don't remember the Robin Hood-esque fellow's name), and one or two of the beach areas came with carnival game booths and a prize booth.

Vacation plus Makin' Magic equalled awesome, if you like having a fair/carnival for Sims to go to. :lovestruc

[LollySims]

Yep, the Vacations pack introduced both of those. Each vacation area had its own costumed mascot (Betty Yeti, Marky Sharky, and... don't remember the Robin Hood-esque fellow's name), and one or two of the beach areas came with carnival game booths and a prize booth.

Vacation plus Makin' Magic equalled awesome, if you like having a fair/carnival for Sims to go to. :lovestruc

Oh, man, I remember clearly now! TS1 really gave us some neat things; almost makes me want to reinstall it now :lol:

I can't believe we didn't get an official announcement today. I really thought we would :( It's seems a bit odd they would leak the fourth EP on their website and not follow-up quicker with an official announcement. The anticipation is driving me mad!

[Srikandi]

Traditionally, Sims announcements come on Thursdays, don't they? so if it's gonna be this week, most likely then.

[kiwi_tea]

I hate how when USAians say "Thursday" I think of my Thursday, forgetting that your Thursday is generally my Friday because I live in New Zealand where it's the future. :/

[Srikandi]

Sorry Kiwi :) I shoulda specified hemisphere when I said that ;)

[LollySims]

Traditionally, Sims announcements come on Thursdays, don't they? so if it's gonna be this week, most likely then.

Oh I didn't know that :faceslap: I'll keep my fingers crossed for a Thursday announcement then :giggler:

[Sisaly]

I'd almost assume that the announcement would come after Sims Medieval.
As long as it's not pets. God that was the worst EP in TS2. The only reason I didn't uninstall was I liked some other features. I had to mod the hell out of that EP to stop pets from just walking into my home, destroying the yard and pestering my sims when they got home. *bad memories*

[LollySims]

I'd almost assume that the announcement would come after Sims Medieval.
As long as it's not pets. God that was the worst EP in TS2. The only reason I didn't uninstall was I liked some other features. I had to mod the hell out of that EP to stop pets from just walking into my home, destroying the yard and pestering my sims when they got home. *bad memories*

I don't agree that it was the worst EP, but I do agree that they made some really idiotic decisions on what to add, which could've gone to better use elsewhere. I really don't want a seamless neighborhood overrun with strays, for example :P

A nice animal shelter (even if it's a dreaded rabbit hole) would be nice for Sims who prefer to adopt animals, instead of buying them from a pet store. A stray occasionally wouldn't be too bad, or even having dogs/cats get lost, and maybe if your Sim finds it they could collect a reward from the owner. Just thinking out loud :)

I really hope they don't wait til after Sims Medieval is released to make an announcement, but you may be right. They seem to shoving Sims Medieval down everyone's throats, to be quite honest, and they might not want to take focus away from it. I'm still keeping my hopes up though that we'll hear something soon.

[suzetter]

Typically it's been a two month lead time for marketing an Ep and EP4 is scheduled for May10th so we should hear something soon. I can't believe they'd keep back the announcement until after Sims Medieval but, hey--one never knows with EA.

The pets were really cute inTS2 but it was so sad that there were so many strays. Sometimes one of my poor sims would end up with way more pets than they could handle because I couldn't stand seeing strays wandering around homeless and (as I imagined) cold and hungry. So I'd rather not have all those strays again. I also hated the LTW of raise 50 puppies or something like that. I don't want my sims to be a puppy mill owner. But there were a lot of cute and fun moments with the pets that reminded me of my pets like when the cat and dog would have a fight and then go eat out the other's dish. Or sleep in the other's bed. Kittens were the cutest thing in TS2. I wasn't happy when toddlers would eat out of the pet bowl if they got hungry but, uh, whose fault was that? :rolleyes: And the pets having jobs seemed exploitive to me.

It'd be interesting to see what sort of dogs and cats people came up with if they were creatable in CAS.

[ani_]

The pets were really cute inTS2 but it was so sad that there were so many strays. Sometimes one of my poor sims would end up with way more pets than they could handle because I couldn't stand seeing strays wandering around homeless and (as I imagined) cold and hungry. Same here, I always felt sorry for them but i never end up with too many strays in a house because be-friending them was hard, and then they would disappear for years, and maybe show up again when my Sim was ready to die.

I hope there will be no pet stores that sell pets, seeing them in those pet-displays always made me sick. If they need to be sold in shops, hopefully they will have better accommodation than that glass display.

[kennyinbmore]

Every new trait has several different idles associated with it, some CAS specific, some game specific. With every new skill, there are new animations that have to be created to make every object associated with that skill usable, and different levels of them at that, as pros and beginners need different animations.. And then, there are generally some random objects, some which have hidden skills (snake charming, bubble blowing) which also need different animations at different 'levels'. There are also other objects which require animations to work that are not skill or hidden skill related (laundry).

That isn't even counting occult specific idles and interactions, or different conversation interactions like the songs in WA.

Those little things add up quickly.

As I said I've never attempted to count them, so I'll have to take your word for it

[cireking213]

I will certainly like to hear more about this EP and I really hope that part about Tree Houses, Pranks, and Mid-life crises are just throw aways so they don't give away the main features before they make an official announcement.

My concern with this EP is that EA is going to half-bake University by making it a simple rabbit hole and use the existing elements to simulate a college experience.

I have in my mind what would make an awesome University experience in TS3, but I can't see EA going the extra mile to do it. I just get the feeling Uni won't be its own EP and EA will take a portion of it and combine it with something else equally shallow.

Ambitions felt like Open for Business and Freetime. Late Night felt like Superstar, Apartment life, and Night Life. It's like the EPs are being cut up, made into appetizers, and then reassembled into something that is supposed to be a meal, but is bland and isn't very filling.

[Ive]

cireking213 member since 2006 and only 6 posts :blink: You should post more to be honest.

[kennyinbmore]

I will certainly like to hear more about this EP and I really hope that part about Tree Houses, Pranks, and Mid-life crises are just throw aways so they don't give away the main features before they make an official announcement.

My concern with this EP is that EA is going to half-bake University by making it a simple rabbit hole and use the existing elements to simulate a college experience. I have in my mind what would make an awesome University experience in TS3, but I can't see EA going the extra mile to do it. I just get the feeling Uni won't be its own EP and EA will take a portion of it and combine it with something else equally shallow.

Ambitions felt like Open for Business and Freetime. Late Night felt like Superstar, Apartment life, and Night Life. It's like the EPs are being cut up, made into appetizers, and then reassembled into something that is supposed to be a meal, but is bland and isn't very filling.

If they do that,i'll just say No. Despite how many people didn't like University, it was one of my favorite TS2 eps and I personally felt they got it right. I know it's EA, but there's absolutely no reason why a TS3 university should be rabbit holes

[amaca]

I hope we'll know more tomorrow, the new EP is supposed to be my birthday present. So hurry EA!!!

But to be honest the new EP doesn't sound too exciting so far. :-( What a shame.

[NekoCat]

Maybe I'm missing the point, but wasn't TS2 University rabbithole-like anyway? I didn't play much, but what I remember is the students would live in the dorm, interact with each other, study, etc. then when it came time to go to class they would walk out the door and disappear into the mist. The interactions weren't all that different from regular home-life (sim-wise), in my opinion. They would just interact with their house-mates, eat meals together, do homework and play games. And there were a few extra stuff thrown in to add a college "feel" to it.

Having TS3 do that wouldn't be a bad thing since watching sims sit in a class and being lectured would be boring. I just hope when they do add it that you don't have to travel to a different world to go to university. TS2 felt too rushed and I'd like the gameplay to be parallel to the current storyline. I hope that made sense...

[ticklish]

Be nice if ea does announce the expansion Thursday

[brillo_pad]

I really hated the number of college professors that mounted up in the friend list. If they do this I hope there is a set of particular sims and they stay the same, 'cause the teaching staff should not outnumber the students - IRL that'd be pretty good, though.

[Miko09]

Typically it's been a two month lead time for marketing an Ep and EP4 is scheduled for May10th so we should hear something soon. I can't believe they'd keep back the announcement until after Sims Medieval but, hey--one never knows with EA.


Actually I thought it was a four month gap between when the EP is announce and when it is actually released, at least for the Sims 3. Take Late Night and World Adventures for instance. LN was announced in July 2010, and was released in October while WA was announced in August and released in November. Of course, EA hasn't been significantly consistent since S3 has started so thats why Ambitions had such a short info release time. I guess Generations is another one of those instances *shrugs*

[Robodl95]

Random thing I really hope is included: Is anyone else really annoyed by the fact that we can choose hairstyles for each outfit but not makeup? It seems so basic but we still don't have it... I'm sick of sending all my sims to bed with full makeup and stuff.....

[pksstr]

The day after the release :



"This EP sucks"!!!!!!!! topics 5743658638476235674 times

[Ive]

Also the same amount of topics in the TS2 forums about quitting and going back ;)

[Sisaly]

Random thing I really hope is included: Is anyone else really annoyed by the fact that we can choose hairstyles for each outfit but not makeup? It seems so basic but we still don't have it... I'm sick of sending all my sims to bed with full makeup and stuff.....

Oh, I'm SO with you on this one. I'm very matchy-matchy with my make-up and clothes. So my sim goes to a party that's formal with her red dress but has the purple make-up. :faceslap:

Off topic-And as for the poster above with 6 posts, when S2C changed over to MTS, join dates were changed. I didn't join in Jan 2006. And half my posts were in the contest forum, most of which have since been deleted. :cry:

[SuicidiaParasidia]

shouldnt....everything talked about here....have already been in the base game when we got it?


anyone else a little confused about that?

[ani_]

It's Thursday \o/ so theoretically, tomorrow morning when I check this forum, there should be news about the new EP, if EA announces it today. I really hope this EP comes with some board games, for families to play together. I really miss the poker table, mahjong and the llama game. I think in the spirit of TS3, these games, at least the llama and mahjong and what ever new board game we get, shouldn't be a huge table like it was in TS2. They should be portable, like the pick-nick basket, so you could have a family day in the park and play there.

[Kestie Freehawk]

shouldnt....everything talked about here....have already been in the base game when we got it?


anyone else a little confused about that?

I am but confusion for me is fairly normal. Its when the helper hacks should be included that I get the most confused.

[matrix54]

^to the comment above: I would love for the poker table to have a strip poker option, like Late Night had skinny dipping when underage Sims were off the lot.

Now, writing that comment makes me think that Late NIght should have had a poker table for dive bars and not a shuffle board table. :faceslap:

[Astraea Nevermore]

^to the comment above: I would love for the poker table to have a strip poker option, like Late Night had skinny dipping when underage Sims were off the lot.

Now, writing that comment makes me think that Late NIght should have had a poker table for dive bars and not a shuffle board table. :faceslap:

Hell yeah :faceslap: either that or billiard tables. I miss those!

However, I can't really wait to see what this expansion pack is going to be about. I'm still hoping for more family/romantic interactions, more games, more active kids and *yay for dreaming* babies with actual bodies.

Edit: ...and an official height slider. Oh, how I would love that. :cry:

[kiwi_tea]

...I hate the lack of announcement. I just want some hint of what this pack is actually... ...about!

[Mishy]

no announcement...and this EP should be out in less then a month?
i find that hard to believe. there MUST be a delay! how else (without the promotion) will they make the most (money) out of it?
or is it so bad that if players knew about it they'd never buy it?
*lol*

[FridaKahlo]

Just my two cents, but I'm not terribly excited for anything kid-related. Whenever I get kids in game I usually only play them for a very short while before I age them up to teens. I would like more stuff for teens, though. What would really excite me is something like University. Also, I'm really super excited to see what the new supernatural sim will be! Aliens, witches (though I don't know how they'd fit the theme), werewolves, and zombies would be awesome! I just hope it's not something like the Mummies. Mummies are cool, but they're too...specific I guess?

[anie_1981]

They want us to think about It, new selling technique...?

[goteampink]

I think maybe the game will be released later than we expect because of Sims Medieval, so maybe an announcement is a bit further away?? I hope not, I'd like to at least find out exactly what this new ex. pack will be like!

[Inge Jones]

They seem to be presenting Medieval as if it is just as satisfying to Simmers as The Sims 3 - an acceptable if not welcome alternative. And they're calling it a new basegame, which is rather ominous.

[kiwi_tea]

The Sims Medieval seems like all the weak and dull parts of The Sims 3 made prettier and less interesting and replayable. The quests system! If an EP has been delayed for the sake of marketing what currently looks like a monstrosity of a questing game, then gosh. I just don't know what to say... ...maybe the doomsayers are right?

[PhenethyaSim]

based on the information we have this seems like the first EP I will be able to resist buying. Untill we have more info I will assume it sucks and doesn't include anything I'm intrested in. that way I will be pleasently surprized if it is worth buying. It just seems like wishful thinking to say that Pets or weather or university will fit in somehow. not that i wouldn't love if it did I'm just use to being dissapointed by EA.

[so_freakin_glam]

do you think they could possibly abandon sims 3 all together?. It is a huge money maker i know, but they just dont seem to be putting too much effort into this game as they did the previous Sims game.

[rian90]

They seem to be presenting Medieval as if it is just as satisfying to Simmers as The Sims 3 - an acceptable if not welcome alternative. And they're calling it a new basegame, which is rather ominous.

Ugh. Well, if its a base game, then when it allows you play generations of families instead of just one then I will buy it. Until then, its just pretty packaging. Ironic that the major thing missing from Sims Medieval is the alleged name of the 4th expansion pack.

[aeval99]

do you think they could possibly abandon sims 3 all together?. It is a huge money maker i know, but they just dont seem to be putting too much effort into this game as they did the previous Sims game.
Nope, they will keep churning out these cash-cows until they release Sims 4. And Sims EPs are just like everything else in the marketplace, the price goes up while the quality goes down.

At least they aren't made in China...yet ;)

[Robodl95]

no announcement...and this EP should be out in less then a month?
i find that hard to believe. there MUST be a delay! how else (without the promotion) will they make the most (money) out of it?
or is it so bad that if players knew about it they'd never buy it?
*lol*

Their priority is TSM for the next month. I'm surprised that we're hearing anything about this EP at all, I suspected that it would come after TSM release.

[Tzigone]

I've been really, really hoping for more family stuff, more stuff for kids to do, and especially more clothes for kids and elders (including dresses with long sleeves). I hope this EP comes through for me.

[Mishy]

Their priority is TSM for the next month. I'm surprised that we're hearing anything about this EP at all, I suspected that it would come after TSM release.
if TSM will be indeed reason for delay then their timing sucks and will cause alot of dissapointed players who were looking forward for the new EP. which includes me :(

[christmas fear]

if this ep is supposed to come out in the beginning of may, then it's actually 2 months away.

[ani_]

Damn, no announcement, I guess this is what one gets when desperately listening to rumors and hoping they are true :sheep:

[Miko09]

Wait a minute...didn't Grant Rodiek and someone else(I think it was Rod Humble) just recently leave the company? I remember Grant was usually the one dishing details about upcoming EPs. Now that he's not there = no more early EP news?

[moryrie]

^But if there is no EP news, they're missing out on advertising. If the community doesn't get news, how will they know they want to buy the product? We'll have to depend on user-reviews, or just buy it ourselves and see what we think of it if they don't give us news, and people are less likely to buy something.. questionable.

[christmas fear]

honestly i think it might have something to do with grant and rod leaving, but the delay is also probably caused by the sims 3 medieval. it would be dumb for them to attract attention away from that right before its release.

[moryrie]

I personally can't wait for Sims Medieval to come out, so EA, and players interested in it will finally shut up about it. And I hope they don't do EPs for it, because I do not want to hear another word about the dratted thing. If one wanted to plays sims in medieval fashion, it seems it would be a better idea to use TS2 or TS3 to do so, as one would have more versatility with playing it, and wouldn't be mandatorily dragooned into a quest system in a world where children do not grow up. </end rant>

[Captain THPS4]

I personally can't wait for Sims Medieval to come out, so EA, and players interested in it will finally shut up about it. And I hope they don't do EPs for it, because I do not want to hear another word about the dratted thing. If one wanted to plays sims in medieval fashion, it seems it would be a better idea to use TS2 or TS3 to do so, as one would have more versatility with playing it, and wouldn't be mandatorily dragooned into a quest system in a world where children do not grow up. </end rant>

If there was an "Extremely Strongly Agree" button, I would click it!

Ironically, I think I would have been more interested in Medieval if Generations had been announced a few weeks ago. Now since it's all just Medieval Medieval Medieval, I can't stand it anymore. When I clicked on the Simprograms RSS feed earlier today fully expecting a Generations trailer but instead saw yet another screenshot update for Medieval, I nearly lost it! Judging from the official forums I'm not alone. Looks like the fanbase is going through its own Medieval Times if you catch my drift. ;)

At this point, Generations is going to be a hard sell for me if neither pets or weather are included because of how irritated I am by the 100% focus on Medieval. A few more activities for sims of all ages is not enough to stand on its own as an EP. So it's nearly a lose-lose situation for EA from my point of view.

[Mishy]

not ones did i feel tempted in buying this Medieval game, so i too, will be glad when this wind has blown over.

[LollySims]

I personally can't wait for Sims Medieval to come out, so EA, and players interested in it will finally shut up about it. And I hope they don't do EPs for it, because I do not want to hear another word about the dratted thing.

It's sad really...I thought it sounded like an ok spin-off at first, but now it just sounds like another Sims game where too many shortcuts were made. Kids can't grow up? Seriously, EA? Talk about a huge step backward. There's too many RPG games like that already (Fable 2 comes to mind), and this could've been an opportunity to marry The Sims and RPG's, in a way that I was initially intrigued by. Not anymore. This just sounds like a game that will be too RPG-ish for Sims fans, and too Simmy for RPG fans. It's a no-win situation.

I agree about EP's. EAxis' focus needs to be on Sims 3. There are still fans who have faith in the series (myself included), who want to see EAxis put more thought and energy into TS3 EP's, and make TS3 an improvement over TS2. Otherwise, what was the point in releasing it at all?

Sorry to stray off-topic. Just disappointed by the lack of announcement about Generations :(

[matrix54]

If there was an "Extremely Strongly Agree" button, I would click it!

Ironically, I think I would have been more interested in Medieval if Generations had been announced a few weeks ago. Now since it's all just Medieval Medieval Medieval, I can't stand it anymore. When I clicked on the Simprograms RSS feed earlier today fully expecting a Generations trailer but instead saw yet another screenshot update for Medieval, I nearly lost it! Judging from the official forums I'm not alone. Looks like the fanbase is going through its own Medieval Times if you catch my drift. ;)

I KNOW! I always expect something new when I go to the site, and this pops up! I've never liked the game (since it's pretty much the furthest thing from a Sims game, and it replaced complete control and creativity with quests, and all they kept were the Sim to Sim interactions -_-) and every time I see I want to kill someone. People would actually be prone to buy if:

A: We didn't see it so much, or if it wasn't shoved down out throats.
B: There was something else to share the adverting spot light, like say... I don't know... and EP. :up:

I don't really know if anyone is actually happy about this spin-off. :wtf:

[rian90]

I think they might be a bit concerned about the profits from Sims Medieval and that is why it feels as if the advertising has gone overboard. I swear that I see ads for that game on forums that have nothing to do with the Sims! I browse for other game related things, not the sims, but software, animation resources, 3d models, whatever, and there is a huge Sims Medieval ad! I have not read one single post on anything other than a sim forum about the game so its not a game that serious gamers are even considering, except maybe for their kids...not that Sim players are not serious gamers, but in the eyes of the rest of the gaming community we are simply playing with dollhouses! lol Unfortunately for EA, they create a niche for The Sims and are now trying to expand..but are losing the very players they pulled into their niche. I have no doubt the game will do well, especially with all the advertising but I don't plan to buy it. If my kids want it, I will wait until its on sale and until I know there are no EP for it. Their computer can't handle a bunch of expansion packs.

[HystericalParoxysm]

Just because you see ads for a particular game, shop, etc., doesn't necessarily mean the advertiser has paid to be on those specific sites. There are tracking cookies set by various sites in your browser that help serve you targeted ads. I get ads for Zalando ALL THE TIME because I go on there sometimes to look at shoes. It even shows me particular shoes that I've looked at previously - for particular sites that have ad companies, Zalando is just one of hundreds or thousands of companies that advertise with them, but as they can tell that I like that shop, they give me Zalando ads. It's likely that because you've been to many sims sites (some with tracking cookies) it's giving you sims-related ads.

[NekoCat]

All that Medieval stuff is getting annoying. I keep looking at it and seeing all this cool stuff and thinking, "well if its in Medieval they won't put it in the Sims because they want people to buy Medieval." It's become kind of like a shopping list of stuff that won't be in the Sims. I hope I'm wrong, though.

I also worry about the quality of the next EP. Depending on how they allocated resources, there could be fewer people working on the Sims3 team because they are working on Medieval, and companies aren't hiring. I mean, the last update had only 2 measly fixes in it, despite the long list of bugs. Were all their dev's and testers working on Medieval and they could only scrape togeter one or two people to work on Sims3?

It would have been so cool if Medieval had been an EP for Sims3 instead of a stand-alone game.

As for Generations, I'll buy it of course (spoken like a true Sims3 addict...) but I kind of think it won't have anything amazing in it. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

[hotaru801]

I want them to add seasons to this... I don't think they will add pets without having a pet centric EP... (Which I am dying for)... But I feel like this might be a waste of 40 bucks... Unless there is the option to slow dance, my toddlers/babies can be washed, and my children and teens do stuff (any stuff they are a waste imho)... Then I would fork over my 30 bucks, on half.com, a week after it comes out...

[acid_fairy]

Hey I may be the only one, but I am excited for Sims Medieval! I always wanted to try an RPG game with no killing so this sounds right up my alley. What put me off WoW was all the killing of animals/creatures. DNW.

[TheGuySim]

I just want Medieval to go to the shops, so the people who want it will buy it, drift away, and hopefully we will hear ACTUAL news on Sims 3 regarding the next EP. I'm getting really tired of seing Sims Medieval now, and by the amount of screenshots I have seen, it's as if I have already played the game!

But, hey, if Generations really is the next EP, I just hope their is tons of stuff for my sim kids to do! I mean, I don't even enjoy playing with them anymore, since they are so restricted with what they can do...

[kiwi_tea]

I have to wonder... ...do the EA folks think TSM appeals to the same market as to TS3? Is that what their market research is telling them? Because they seem like dramatically and importantly different games. It worries me that TSM might reflect their overall attitude towards The Sims franchise nowadays, in which case we can kiss a good portion of the sandbox goodbye.

The worst parts of the TSM interviews have been the producers insisting the sandbox gameplay is still there in TSM... ...No. It's not. You've given us more than enough information for us to realise that this is a pushy, restrictive mess that won't very much appeal to people who are into The Sims series for the creative side of things.

The incessant TSM marketing to the exclusion of The Sims 3 is seriously making me consider shelling out for Minecraft and just putting The Sims 3 in its box for a year or two.

[HystericalParoxysm]

The incessant TSM marketing to the exclusion of The Sims 3 is seriously making me consider shelling out for Minecraft and just putting The Sims 3 in its box for a year or two.

GET OFF THE INTERNET AND GET YOUR ASS BACK IN CAW.

*sobs* Please?

u no i luv u rite?

[Fernweather]

... this is a pushy, restrictive mess ...
Heh. That sounds like the sort of thing Sims everywhere are probably saying to their therapists: "I dunno, doc, my whole life lately is just a pushy, restrictive mess. Why can't it be more of a sandbox, like it used to be?" :(

[goteampink]

I have to wonder... ...do the EA folks think TSM appeals to the same market as to TS3? Is that what their market research is telling them? Because they seem like dramatically and importantly different games. It worries me that TSM might reflect their overall attitude towards The Sims franchise nowadays, in which case we can kiss a good portion of the sandbox goodbye.

I could see EA thinking that people would want Medieval sims, look at how much custom content is medieval, heck there have been medieval contests on MTS. But I don't think this was the proper way to answer to that interest, maybe an ex. pack or stuff pack? But then making a pack might exclude too many players who aren't interested in that...I'm just glad I don't work there!

I am excited for TSM because it is an opportunity to get my husband in playing Sims...he doesn't understand half of what I talk about sometimes... :lol:

[Ive]

There has been quite a lot of members here wanting a medieval theme pack or time travel expansion sorta thing so they can play medieval, not so noticeable now (because of TSM I guess) but they are there.

But EA seems to have totally missed the point. People want to play the sims with medieval, not a medieval watered out sims look-a-like

Edit: I can see this going OT quite quickly :wtf:

[rian90]

But EA seems to have totally missed the point. People want to play the sims with medieval, not a medieval watered out sims look-a-like



We wanted Medieval WITH generations! Not one guy/gal that has kids that never grow up. Because I wanted a medieval EP so bad, I am doubly disappointed with TSM. Now we will never get medieval stuff in Sims 3. I am much less inclined to buy this than if it were something I cared less about.

[mangaroo]

We wanted Medieval WITH generations! Not one guy/gal that has kids that never grow up.

Agree button x ∞ + a cookie for looping back to topic = one internet for rian90

[kiwi_tea]

A medieval version of The Sims requires restrictions, obviously. The Sims can't have surgically implanted cellphones like us real modern people, for example. But it just seems like they said "Okay, now this game requires more restrictions to work, THEREFORE we should just make a weak-kneed RPG where you just happen to be able to recolor everything, and for good measure it'll look like The Sims 3 a bit."

But anyhow, Generations, huh? I still can't pin down what they might do with that.

[Ive]

So if they don't want TSM to take the attention of the next expansion, or the other way around, we won't be hearing anything for 20+ days then! :blink:

[smacksim2]

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/search.jsp

Search for Sims 3 if it is no longer front page....

[Lonelywillow]

http://www.esrb.org/ratings/search.jsp

Search for Sims 3 if it is no longer front page....

So Generations is really the title?
The strange thing is, that this seems the first time, that they do not copy anything from TS2.
I know many of us want Pets or Seasons, but it would be nice if EA created something new, something we have not yet played in an older version.
I have high hopes, especially after TSM was such a let down.
(I had hoped for an TSM EP or at least stuff pack)

[Mishy]

There has been quite a lot of members here wanting a medieval theme pack or time travel expansion sorta thing so they can play medieval, not so noticeable now (because of TSM I guess) but they are there.

But EA seems to have totally missed the point. People want to play the sims with medieval, not a medieval watered out sims look-a-like

Edit: I can see this going OT quite quickly :wtf:
well, there isnt much to go on with this new EP :rolleyes:
so, in the meantime, we are allowed to get side tracked. ;)

[PhenethyaSim]

So Generations is really the title?
The strange thing is, that this seems the first time, that they do not copy anything from TS2.
I know many of us want Pets or Seasons, but it would be nice if EA created something new, something we have not yet played in an older version.
I have high hopes, especially after TSM was such a let down.
(I had hoped for an TSM EP or at least stuff pack)

I compleatly get wanting EA to give us something origional and not a remake of something old but if they expect to sell it the will have to give us something at least moderatly impressive! Just because its new and diffrent does not make it forty bucks worth!

[LollySims]

We wanted Medieval WITH generations! Not one guy/gal that has kids that never grow up. Because I wanted a medieval EP so bad, I am doubly disappointed with TSM. Now we will never get medieval stuff in Sims 3. I am much less inclined to buy this than if it were something I cared less about.

Even though a Medieval EP was never something I wanted, I don't understand why EAxis couldn't have done it, instead of a spin-off. They could've just programmed a custom neighborhood to be Medieval-y so that it wouldn't spill out to "regular" neighborhoods. But for regular players, like myself, certain things could've made the EP appealing...like maybe horses? Which I know a lot of people want. Are there even horses in TSM? I haven't noticed any, but then I've only looked at a little bit of TSM stuff.

On topic: It's nice to see Generations listed at the esrb site. I don't mind the title myself, except that it's vague and may prove to be misleading.

How likely is it that we could get new age groups? Is that possible at all in an EP? I know in TS2, UNI gave us the young adult stage, but it was only playable at university (without mods/cheats).

Right now, although I'm curious about the mid-life crisis thing, it would seem a bit out of place in the adult stage of life, since Sim adults still seem so young. The addition of a stage before elder and before teen would be enough to make me wanna buy the EP :giggler:

[rian90]

We wanted Medieval WITH generations! Not one guy/gal that has kids that never grow up.

Agree button x ∞ + a cookie for looping back to topic = one internet for rian90

Yummy cookie! Thanks!

[Drakron]

I just hope it ends up better that Star Trek: Generations ....

[CinderEmma]

I'm watching this board avidly, but since I probably won't buy the expansion for a little while anyway (I could see myself just waiting until my birthday, which is in October XD), I'm not as obsessed :P
I actually would like TSM for my Wii, it seems more relaxed then normal simming. But of course it would be over $50 if it was on Wii, and I would only pay $30, max, on that. Maybe I'll see it used in a couple years XD

[smacksim2]

Maybe EA bought off Pinstar and 'Generations' will be all about incorporating the Legacy Challenge directly into gameplay. Rules, Rewards, Post-to-Blog elements. No wait, that isn't sandboxy enough. But it would be fun to mod :)

[9b8ll]

The worst parts of the TSM interviews have been the producers insisting the sandbox gameplay is still there in TSM... ...No. It's not. You've given us more than enough information for us to realise that this is a pushy, restrictive mess that won't very much appeal to people who are into The Sims series for the creative side of things.

The incessant TSM marketing to the exclusion of The Sims 3 is seriously making me consider shelling out for Minecraft and just putting The Sims 3 in its box for a year or two. QFT on this one, :up: this is the same way I Actually feel.

Let me get this off of my chest about TSM, It looks to me that TSM is going to be very repetitive, dull and disappointing short spin-off kinda game. It also looks so different where to the point it is not the sandbox game aspect of the Sims franchise used to be which were very enjoyable. Plus made it great full of creativity and extremity addicting. No kids growing up, wow if that's not a big step backwards I don't know what is, EA must be joking right? Damn that is a total failure already! heck kids can grow up in the sims 3 Consoles already that does not make sense.

I just seen the cover box today and it is terrible. The the marketing of this game is very annoying to the point where I about had it with this new sequel franchise. this marketing here is beyond cash-cow. Btw, did the creator of this spin-off Rachel bernstien also created Simcity societies which it failed-tremendously too? Hmmmm.......time will tell once this is released in a few of weeks.

Generations, looks like a promising title but I will say it again because this is very important, if this EP does not add the important features like Collections to search for objects, Cas etc, the ability to have optional subhoods to maximize replay ability factor because what is the point of having a open world if you cannot play and visit other worlds by creative CC modders. if this doesn't happen then I don't know what to say at this point.

But since it is way too early to judge. I'm still waiting a lot of fixes like LN that hasn't been fixed yet! I glad that I heard some things about the kids and teens are getting more actions this time around but this is only a rumor. If EA take the time well and even if it don't have seasons or pets (Which I'm hoping for at this point too) this could be a well rounded EP. If this EP Contain more bugs like LN then that is it for me, this is a do or die EP for me as well. So Put some effort in this EP, EA!!!

Speaking of Minecraft I might want to play it soon. it looks fun and addicting just by looking at it. :)

[Sarahjane1234]

I personally can't wait for Sims Medieval to come out, so EA, and players interested in it will finally shut up about it. And I hope they don't do EPs for it, because I do not want to hear another word about the dratted thing. If one wanted to plays sims in medieval fashion, it seems it would be a better idea to use TS2 or TS3 to do so, as one would have more versatility with playing it, and wouldn't be mandatorily dragooned into a quest system in a world where children do not grow up. </end rant>

In one of the interview things they said there would be add-ons and stuff packs and such like for the medieval sims game. I think it sounds a great game now that I know its not like the 'Sims life' type ones that were out and is just going to be the sims 3 ish but in medieval settings.

I play MMO's and thats maybe why it appeals to me. :p .

I still think though that Generations should be a stuff pack if it has family things like the 'Family Fun stuff pack' or something.

[LollySims]

I just thought of something I'd love to see in the new EP, even though I'm not sure how fitting it is: the option to throw a costume party. I was just browsing the Sims store and came across their free Halloween content, and I realized, despite the fact that I have downloaded those items and that Halloween is my favorite holiday, I've never done anything with them in game. A costume party would be great to simulate a Halloween celebration.

Actually I would like more/better party options in general. Birthday parties are very ho-hum. They need to bring back gift giving. It would be awesome if invited guests automatically gave the birthday boy or girl a gift. Many times when my sim children become teenagers, I give them a car as a gift, if my Sim family can afford it. It would be very cool if the Sims themselves could do such gestures :)

Slumber parties would be so adorable too! Maybe have the kids bring over sleeping bags, so that you don't have to supply a bed for every Sim staying the night. There are lots of things they could add to a slumber party setting. Maybe the kiddies could tell ghost stories and play board games. They could pig out on junk food, and maybe wake up with a tummyache the next day (moodlet).

On a side note, more food options would be welcome in any EP. I would love the ability for Sims to pop popcorn in the microwave and be able to eat it on the couch while watching a movie. And Sims sitting next to them should be able to share it as well. That would be cute :lovestruc I want more food options for Sims to make at home, and an option for good cooks to make different types of birthday cakes would be great. I also miss the wedding cake :(

I know I have high hopes for this EP, but since it's called Generations, I really want to get a decent amount of interactions between Sims and their families. I just hope EA doesn't throw in some weird element as a focal point :P

[Lonelywillow]

Actually I would like more/better party options in general. Birthday parties are very ho-hum.

I agree, the parties are quite boring.
What I would really love are Sims who actually behave like people do at a party.
Right now when guests attend your party they say hello and then they go to your fridge, play with your stuff, sleep in your bed.
There should be party interactions, ways to entertain your guests for a while(longer than with a firecracker), party dances (like limbo or line dance).
LN would have been the best EP to introduce this, but why not with a "family EP"?