Things I've Seen/Heard/Read About in The Sims 3: Seasons

[writerchick]

I took the Weather survey, along with another which asked me about: Exotic Island,
University/Boarding School, Reality Show Star.

Allow me to repeat something I said upthread about the Weather survey:

The last question had to do with various types of items (EPs, SPs, store items, venues, and worlds) and how often I'd want to purchase said items. The options for how often were: "less than once a year," "once a year," "once every six months," "once every three months," "once a month," and "more than once a month."

So there are a couple of possible ways of looking at the new rounds of surveys where they ask about multiple new EP ideas...

1) They want to make it seem like Weather isn't a solid future EP by asking about other EP ideas which they know the community has been begging for. i.e. They're muddying the waters...

2) They are planning on releasing new EPs at a much more concentrated rate than the current "once every six month" time period. If the new EPs are not as fully functioned as we're used to, this could be possible -- especially if some "new" features (like playing the stock market) are already in the base game's code. Also, if they've been working on various EP concepts over a long period of time already (like how to integrate weather), these new EP concepts could be nearly ready for roll-out...

OR

3) They're trying to triangulate on what players are MOST interested in seeing as new EPs. Because one of the questions at the end of the new set of surveys was about selecting which of the three options you preferred, rather than placing in descending order your rating of each of the new options. It may be that all of these items will eventually be released as future EPs, but EA's trying to decide which to make priorities and which to put on the back burner...

Someone upthread said that EA surely had a plan of which EPs they'd be doing for TS3 even before TS2 ended, and that's probably true. However, lagging sales numbers may have made them start reassessing those plans...

[writerchick]

Money - We already have many ways to earn simoleans, plus cheats, so what's the point?
University - Has potential, unless they segregate it from the rest of the game the way they did in TS2. If they go that route, I'll pass on it.
Farming - Yes. Yes.
unReality TV - definitely delving into MMO territory with that one.
Island life - I'm getting Barnacle Bay flashbacks with that one.


I'd like to see the University concept allow kids to live at home and attend higher ed, rather than have to leave home and move to campus, especially if "child prodigies" can also attend University, as their concept stated. And especially since we'll see adults able to attend Uni. How will adults attend uni and maintain their families back home if the Uni EP is a separate game like it was in TS2?

The Reality TV Show Star is another way of utilizing SimPort and other online options, since your Sims can become "real" internet stars (apparently by uploading videos to YouTube or Facebook). Totally not interested in this...

When I saw that some people were asked about farming, I squealed like a pig. Literally. And I'm not ashamed to admit that... :lol:

As others noted, the Exotic Island option folded in OFB aspects, but then they didn't specifically ask about the business features when they were asking us to rate our favorite and least favorite features... For me, having the possibility of running shops and hotels would be AWESOME, even if I'm not too crazy about the rest of the stuff in the Exotic Island EP. "Island Time," making your sims' needs easier to manage? Really, EA?

A Cruise Ship or Theme Park EP would also be awesome. I'd buy those in a heartbeat.

[zigersimmer]

The last question had to do with various types of items (EPs, SPs, store items, venues, and worlds) and how often I'd want to purchase said items. The options for how often were: "less than once a year," "once a year," "once every six months," "once every three months," "once a month," and "more than once a month."


Unfortunately EA will never realize that the frequency of releases is not an issue. It's the quality (ha ha, I mentioned quality when discussing EA) of the product that matters, combined with the all-or-nothing bundling of the contents in each EP and SP.

Any EP they produce that includes the weather effects is almost certainly going to include a bunch of stuff that I will not want in my game. Guaranteed. Seasonal festivals may sound great as a concept, but the current crop of devs at EA are bound to include with those festivals a whole bunch of grindy crap that I absolutely would loathe and that will cause me not to buy the EP. And what they don't make grindy, they'll find some other way to bork up. Look at Pets. If I have a horse, he trains himself? Seriously WTF? What the hell happened to having sims do some crazy thing like maybe my sims having interactions with the damn horse so that the sim is training the horse?

[KKiryu007Joker]

They can't do anything without releasing a bunch of patches for bugs affecting thousands of minor and major things. I'd prefer for them to get a new development team, and focus on making a well running Sims 4 for four years or so while the people are reeling over Hivemind.

[Ive]

Money - We already have many ways to earn simoleans, plus cheats, so what's the point?

I don't think the point is to earn even more money. It's more that maybe the sims can have circles of group of the same standing, kind of like celebrities, only with simleon signs instead :)

I have tried making a little upper group of snobby sims. But can never manage to do it. The snobby trait only makes the sim a bit harder to please. And just like in real life rich people can buy privileges that most people can't afford. Where does that stop sims other than a big house and a nice car? I would love to have sims buy themselves into the social circle of the famous, or a workaholic earn for working hard, not just showing up...

Believe me I hate my sims having too much money, but I do like diversity in my game and something like this could make it more apparent that not all sims can afford the same.

Edit: Maybe even a expansion surrounding wealth could have a tax system that you set just like ageing. So that bills aren't so cheap and the economy would be more balanced. One could hope :(

[rian90]

Seasonal festivals may sound great as a concept, but the current crop of devs at EA are bound to include with those festivals a whole bunch of grindy crap that I absolutely would loathe and that will cause me not to buy the EP. And what they don't make grindy, they'll find some other way to bork up.

Yeah, that does seem to be true, doesn't it? I actually have given up expecting EA to not bork something up. I just hope they put the basic code to do 'things' in the game and then we have 'smarter than EA creators' like Twallan, Twofootmama, and Shimrod, among others, to fix the stuff EA borked. It seems to be easier to fix than to add from scratch for the most part.

I don't like that we have to do this but I like playing The Sims 3. One thing I might start doing though is waiting to buy stuff until the fixes are released. EA loves to have people pre-order because they buy BEFORE they know how bad the glitches are in the game. I have actually had EPs and SPs sit on my desk for months while I waited for patches and fixes. Those first week sales of a game really make the shareholders happy! So...if they are not going to release games that work that first week, why shouldn't I wait to buy them?

I noticed that asked that on the survey. The only pack I would pre-order is the farming one. The rest I would wait on and I might not even buy the Billionaire one. I definitely would not buy the reality show one..eww.

[crocobaura]

I don't think the point is to earn even more money. It's more that maybe the sims can have circles of group of the same standing, kind of like celebrities, only with simleon signs instead :)

I have tried making a little upper group of snobby sims. But can never manage to do it. The snobby trait only makes the sim a bit harder to please. And just like in real life rich people can buy privileges that most people can't afford. Where does that stop sims other than a big house and a nice car? I would love to have sims buy themselves into the social circle of the famous, or a workaholic earn for working hard, not just showing up...

Believe me I hate my sims having too much money, but I do like diversity in my game and something like this could make it more apparent that not all sims can afford the same.



I agree with you that the point would not be to earn even more money but rather to be able to spend all that money. But the sims don't work quite like real life so I'm not sure how being rich would make a difference in the sims other than be able to afford more expensive stuff. Prices and cost of services are fixed and same for everyone, it's not like they are getting better service for higher costs.

[rian90]

I agree with you that the point would not be to earn even more money but rather to be able to spend all that money. But the sims don't work quite like real life so I'm not sure how being rich would make a difference in the sims other than be able to afford more expensive stuff. Prices and cost of services are fixed and same for everyone, it's not like they are getting better service for higher costs.

And they didn't do such a great job with celebrities. Yes, they are chased by the press and everyone wants to be their friend, but really, it is not all that exciting. My celebs don't only hang out with celebs and giving them the snob trait doesn't seem to change that.

[Ive]

I agree with you that the point would not be to earn even more money but rather to be able to spend all that money. But the sims don't work quite like real life so I'm not sure how being rich would make a difference in the sims other than be able to afford more expensive stuff. Prices and cost of services are fixed and same for everyone, it's not like they are getting better service for higher costs.

Yea I understand it wont be quite as straight forward. But just bigger differences (more expensive and very cheap items for both "sides") Better taxation system. Services that cost more, like a permanent nanny that will teach your kids things and maybe even home school. And just generally rich sims attract other rich sims, and normal sims want to live like them (Jealousy etc). Clothes, shoes and accessories that can be bought and will only be usable after that (and they cost!). It could even give a moodlet to the sim, and the sims around them. This is something I miss especially from TS2, limited clothing to the families.

It's the small interactions that make it for me :)

By all means this is not enough to warrant a whole single expansion and should have been in SHT/LN. But I would not mind it being introduced with something else.

[coltraz]

I'm not in the least bit interested in fame and riches. The opportunity to include those features in the game has come and gone, and I am sick of hearing about it. Yes, it is a let down to know they are tossing around those ideas as well as Seasons. Just mess off and make a Seasons expansion, yeah?

[Periandre]

I agree with you that the point would not be to earn even more money but rather to be able to spend all that money. But the sims don't work quite like real life so I'm not sure how being rich would make a difference in the sims other than be able to afford more expensive stuff. Prices and cost of services are fixed and same for everyone, it's not like they are getting better service for higher costs.

Well a couple of things off the top of my head... I would think the game would not drive wealthy sims to get a job and they might increase domestic staff to more than a butler. Nanny, anyone? And lastly, if the helicopter is ever to make a reappearance, or rather an appearance, I would think this type of expansion would be the most likely vehicle for it.

[rian90]

Wow..those are great ideas but I really doubt EA will go that deep. It will be more about buying 'stuff' and belonging to exclusive clubs, most likely. I first want stuff that I can use for all my sims..then, maybe we can worry about those poor rich folks!

[acid_fairy]

Don't some of you get the Tycoon vibe from some of those concepts? Not really my thing; if it were, I'd still be playing Rollercoaster Tycoon ;)

[zigersimmer]

Yea I understand it wont be quite as straight forward. But just bigger differences (more expensive and very cheap items for both "sides") Better taxation system. Services that cost more, like a permanent nanny that will teach your kids things and maybe even home school. And just generally rich sims attract other rich sims, and normal sims want to live like them (Jealousy etc). Clothes, shoes and accessories that can be bought and will only be usable after that (and they cost!). It could even give a moodlet to the sim, and the sims around them. This is something I miss especially from TS2, limited clothing to the families.

It's the small interactions that make it for me :)

By all means this is not enough to warrant a whole single expansion and should have been in SHT/LN. But I would not mind it being introduced with something else.

Sims don't have anywhere near enough interactions among family members as it is. I certainly don't want to relinquish what little we have to a nanny.

Don't some of you get the Tycoon vibe from some of those concepts? Not really my thing; if it were, I'd still be playing Rollercoaster Tycoon ;)

I never played Tycoon, so I'll take your word for it.

[purexevil666]

I'm not excited for reality show EP i mean enough ih fame! I already have tons of celebs thanks to LN and SHT :/

[rian90]

Don't some of you get the Tycoon vibe from some of those concepts? Not really my thing; if it were, I'd still be playing Rollercoaster Tycoon ;)

I wondered if people were going that way with the Farmville comment! LOL

The Sims 3 is still categorized as a simulation/strategy game. Sims 3 has moved further from that than the rest of the series because they thought it was too hard and tedious for the players. I loved the simulation/strategy elements of the game and I think the boredom some of us feel is because the game is now just too easy! There is little challenge there. I don't know if you played OFB, but that pack was very much strategy based but I did not feel I was playing a tycoon game, something I don't care for either.

Tycoon games are based on simulation/strategy but they usually have a more light humorous feel with less depth than the sims games.

A farm pack (or any sort of venue inclusion such as hinted at in the surveys) can be done without that tycoon feel. Having your family run a business or a farm (which is a type of business) and earn their living through that business would be a lot of fun and closer to the open professions but with with more detail. I think most of us enjoyed the business aspects of the previous series, such as making your own bread or canning fruit to sell or running a restaurant or nightclub. The goal was not to rack up points like in a Tycoon game or to complete challenges (like EA tries to get us to do) but to have an alternative way for your sims to make a living rather than using the EA careers.

I really hope EA includes some of these in future EPs because that is probably what I miss most about the game. This sort of 'career' is so much less repetitive than climbing up the career levels or putting out dozens of fires that all seem to be the same in the end. We need more challenge and less repetitiveness in these games!

[zigersimmer]

I'm not excited for reality show EP i mean enough ih fame! I already have tons of celebs thanks to LT and SHT :/

I don't know how well Late Night sold, but judging from the dearth of apartments and LN venues available for download here compared to other lot types, I don't think it has been very popular.

[DigitalSympathies]

Hey, I still play RCT in my spare time. The deaths are so funny. It got me into playing TS1!

Personally I just about died at all of these - I'd be happy with ANY of them over catering to "teen girls" (I am a teen girl and hate what they've put out, what is this sorcery) and "hipster folks," to be quite honest with you. I'd love, LOVE, LOOOOVEEE a University expansion pack, but all of them sound good for machinima which is what I do with TS2 and want to get back into with TS3 once we have a decent amount of working, fun objects.

[crocobaura]

Well a couple of things off the top of my head... I would think the game would not drive wealthy sims to get a job and they might increase domestic staff to more than a butler. Nanny, anyone? And lastly, if the helicopter is ever to make a reappearance, or rather an appearance, I would think this type of expansion would be the most likely vehicle for it.

How would the game know when the sim is too wealthy to hold down a career type job? Besides, it's totally unrealistic as most rich people actually work to maintain their income and lifestyle. Why not just have them retire or become self employed?

[rian90]

I don't know how well Late Night sold, but judging from the dearth of apartments and LN venues available for download here compared to other lot types, I don't think it has been very popular.

According to SimsVIP, Late Night and Pets are the most popular expansion packs. I think Late Night sold quite well.

There are loads of apartments on other sites as well as venues. I have some idea of why MTS has fewer but honestly, the focus here is different.

[writerchick]

How would the game know when the sim is too wealthy to hold down a career type job? Besides, it's totally unrealistic as most rich people actually work to maintain their income and lifestyle. Why not just have them retire or become self employed?

Paris Hilton works? I thought she partied all the time. My bad...

[Ive]

How would the game know when the sim is too wealthy to hold down a career type job? Besides, it's totally unrealistic as most rich people actually work to maintain their income and lifestyle. Why not just have them retire or become self employed?

Could be the same as with the LTW to have a certain amount of cash. Maybe after that is reached you get summoned to the City hall or w/e to talk to the mayor. He offers you to join his secret little circle of rich friends and tells you you can quit your job with no hassle.

Or if stock market and that was introduced there would be an income from that. Or extend careers so that it has more than 10 levels. The new top one could be no work days but still get paid every day. Like the scandalous rich in real life.

[crocobaura]

Paris Hilton works? I thought she partied all the time. My bad...

Well, someone must be working in her family if she can afford to party all the time.



Or if stock market and that was introduced there would be an income from that. Or extent careers so that it has more than 10 levels. The new top one could be no work days but still get paid every day. Like the scandalous rich in real life.

That's like owning every business venue in Sunset Valley, after a while you start wondering what else to do with the money.

[Ive]

Hence why you could have things to spend it on.
Can multiple sims from different families own the same venue?

[Periandre]

How would the game know when the sim is too wealthy to hold down a career type job? Besides, it's totally unrealistic as most rich people actually work to maintain their income and lifestyle. Why not just have them retire or become self employed?

Well, I'm not saying they're too wealthy to hold down a career type job... just that they don't choose to. And I imagine it would determine it in a similar fashion to how the game decides that Sims are rich. So if you were playing someone in that category and you switched to a different household they would not be dragooned into some career to be someone's co-worker or boss. Some rich people continue to work, but some with inherited wealth don't work and live off of investments and trust funds. I don't think Bill Gates continued to work to maintain his income and lifestyle...

If the stockmarket part of the game were made functional and integrated I'm sure there would be plenty of opportunities for them the lose their fortune as well.

[zigersimmer]

According to SimsVIP, Late Night and Pets are the most popular expansion packs. I think Late Night sold quite well.

There are loads of apartments on other sites as well as venues. I have some idea of why MTS has fewer but honestly, the focus here is different.

Are those pay sites? It seems like every time I download something from any site other than MTS (or Sexy Sims) the download includes some unwanted somethingorother that I have to hunt down and exterminate. Basically, if it does not come from here or Nraas, I don't download. Not that I'm using LN any longer, so the point is kinda moot.

Wow, guess I took a detour from the thread topic.

[rian90]

Are those pay sites? It seems like every time I download something from any site other than MTS (or Sexy Sims) the download includes some unwanted somethingorother that I have to hunt down and exterminate. Basically, if it does not come from here or Nraas, I don't download. Not that I'm using LN any longer, so the point is kinda moot.

Wow, guess I took a detour from the thread topic.

That is odd. I download from sites all the time and have never had anything attached to any thing I downloaded. You have had bad luck, it seems. Do you use good antivirus software? I have so much CC that I am embarrassed to admit how much. ;) Most of the lots I have are from MTS or from TSR, although I do have some from other places. I do check it with Custard first though or some other program. Easy to just get rid of what I don't want. My Sims 3 Blog is a good place to find stuff.

[crocobaura]

Well, I'm not saying they're too wealthy to hold down a career type job... just that they don't choose to. And I imagine it would determine it in a similar fashion to how the game decides that Sims are rich. So if you were playing someone in that category and you switched to a different household they would not be dragooned into some career to be someone's co-worker or boss. Some rich people continue to work, but some with inherited wealth don't work and live off of investments and trust funds. I don't think Bill Gates continued to work to maintain his income and lifestyle...

If the stockmarket part of the game were made functional and integrated I'm sure there would be plenty of opportunities for them the lose their fortune as well.


I see but if they ever implement no dragooning I'd rather they did it for everyone instead of just rich sims. If you ask me, I think that motherlode cheat works just fine to make rich sims and if they ever get drafted for a job while you're not playing them, you can just get them to resign once you play them again. The real challenge lies in what to do with that much money once you have it. Maybe they could make some kind of exchange service where you could exchange simoleons for lifetime points so you could buy rewards quicker, or visa points. Personally, I don't see any challenge in playing rich sims in TS3 because once their financial needs have been met there's little else to do with the sims. The socials are limited, interactions are limited, activities are limited, all the other sims are at work and so on. You have more time to skill on things but there's not much to do with those skills once you have them other than use them to earn more money.

[ViolettaVie]

Taxes would be nice. I don't care for more expensive things for my rich sims to buy. I would like for their money to go back into the economy, if a real economy can be had. I like donating to charity. I modded this so that my rich, poor and middle class good sims can each donate without the amount being a factor in how much of a buff they get for the good deed, and that the amount is somewhat relative to their finacial status. For my rich sims they are able to donate 50,000 simoleans each day. I just wish that said money could be used for something in the town so I am curious about this philanthropy of which they speak. What if rich sims could open up a bank or a savings and loans or if they are evil they could be a loan shark. Perhaps they could set up grants or scholarships for would-be college students? It would be great if the unversity was expensive so only rich/middle class sims could afford it on their own dime but poor sims would need to take out loans.

I am really excited about all things weather related. Festivals for seasons are just awesome.

I hope that along with these EPs they are making that they could also improve toddler-toddler, toddler-child relationships. BTW why can't toddlers play in the sand?

[Periandre]

I see but if they ever implement no dragooning I'd rather they did it for everyone instead of just rich sims. If you ask me, I think that motherlode cheat works just fine to make rich sims and if they ever get drafted for a job while you're not playing them, you can just get them to resign once you play them again. The real challenge lies in what to do with that much money once you have it. Maybe they could make some kind of exchange service where you could exchange simoleons for lifetime points so you could buy rewards quicker, or visa points. Personally, I don't see any challenge in playing rich sims in TS3 because once their financial needs have been met there's little else to do with the sims. The socials are limited, interactions are limited, activities are limited, all the other sims are at work and so on. You have more time to skill on things but there's not much to do with those skills once you have them other than use them to earn more money.

As it stands now, true there's not much to do. But according to the possible expansion there would be. In fact, parts of the description sound like open for business-like ... starting your own video game company, opening and running a soup kitchen.

[rian90]

As it stands now, true there's not much to do. But according to the possible expansion there would be. In fact, parts of the description sound like open for business-like ... starting your own video game company, opening and running a soup kitchen.

Honestly, I find the Billionaire one rather lacking. I can't even imagine, based on the shallowness of previous packs, that EA will do everything mentioned by fans above and do it well. I would be willing to bet that the soup kitchen and video game kitchen will be rabbitholes that our billionaires can buy and plop down somewhere. This sounds NOTHING like OFB to me. Actually, the vacation and farm idea have more OFB elements.

By the way, don't we have a thread somewhere that is discussing these surveys and everything suggested by them? If not, someone should make one because I do not see the connection between speculation on these ideas and a possible weather/seasons pack, other than they are all possible EPs.

[Ive]

There is a sticky thread at the top of these forums: Expansion Ideas & Speculation! (http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=352890&c=0&ht=&page=30&pp=50#startcomments)

[crocobaura]

Actually, the vacation and farm idea have more OFB elements.




The ideas presented for the vacation/island life EP sounded lovely and somehow felt the most complete among the descriptions listed. I couldn't help but think it is probably for some stand alone game like Sims Medieval. If they bring back ownable businesses, I hope they make them like in TS2 and allow us to sell pretty much anything. It would be awful to restrict business to fixed cash registers merchandise.

[aGOLDENbox]

It would probably be a good thing if the farming expansion was its own stand alone game because I've never been a fan of the concept and I'm not intereted in it at all. I just don't like it in regular or game-playing life. Besides weather, I got really excited about the university expansion pack mentions. I rated that extremely high even though it didn't mention a lot of new ideas but I want to play it and see how EA pulls it off.

[crocobaura]

Farming and a country fair would make Riverview complete. Besides we need to make farming worthwhile and allow sims to sell their perfect vegetables to be used in game by other sims.

[Arisuka]

Farming and a country fair would make Riverview complete. Besides we need to make farming worthwhile and allow sims to sell their perfect vegetables to be used in game by other sims.

The lack of proper farming option despite clearly farming themed parts in EA worlds has annoyed me quite a bit since the beginning... Riverview has huge farm themed areas, but all you can do is to grow vegetables in your backyard or after Pets, ride horses around. The same goes for Appaloosa. Why do they even bother making areas like that if they cannot serve any kind of purpose for the theme? I do like the look of Riverview and Appaloosa, but it is such a major tease to have those big farming areas without any functionality at all. It's just extreamly annoying from the player's perspective that EA has a habit with TS3 that they create something that aims to give a certain impression of possibilities, but really has none at all.

[rian90]

The thing I like about farming and weather is the possibility of having unique play sessions. Most of what we have now is so repetitive. Once you get one fireman, one acrobat, one scientist to the pinnacle of his/her career/profession, doing again is not very exciting. Traits might influence how long it takes you to do it, but not really what you do to get there.

The addition of weather along with some unpredictable patterns that might disrupt the sims' peaceful lives really appeals to me. Same with farming, especially if they add the pestilence and diseases suggested in the survey. Right now, about the only surprise we have is meteors or fires, both beyond our control to some extent. Yes, we can minimize the damage with a smoke alarm or a the Brave trait, but once our house is on fire or the meteor falls, we can only clean up the mess. With farming, one can diversify their farm to avoid economic ruin due to bad weather or disease. They can try to balance risk with caution in order to be successful. This is what I liked in Open for Business...the ability to fail and the ability to change the outcome. One reason I am not keen on a Magic pack is because while it might be fun to get your wizard to the top of the wizard profession, the second wizard will have the same spells, the same climb, the same potions, whatever. I want some challenge back in this game! I really want some excitement!

Any of the EPs in that survey that include running a business or owning venues would be fun. But if all they include is taking your sims to the beach to hunt for seashells or playing carnival games to win a stuffed animal, then they are just as repetitive as the stuff we already have. I will enjoy them, and then get bored of them....

[Alliteration]

Really? Farming has the exact opposite effect to me. It seems like the cycle of planting, harvesting, rinse, repeat would just get really, really boring, really, really fast. I'm all for more change and variation on a play session, especially with TS3 where everything seems to have been streamlined to allow sims to be as happy as possible, as fast as possible, but farming never struck me as a way to achieve that. Quite the opposite, really.
Maybe it's just because I'm city-raised; I just don't get it.

[rian90]

Maybe it's just because I'm city-raised; I just don't get it.

:)

It would if you didn't have things to overcome, such as bad weather, bugs (pestilence) and disease, all mentioned in the survey. I would agree with you otherwise as I find gardening very dull. But what isn't rinse and repeat in this game? Carnival that you go to the same rides/games over and over again? Vacation that has the same exact pop-ups telling you about your exciting hike? At least having to fight off the elements would be different.

[danceactsing96]

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but would any one be allowed/willing to share a few pics/links/documents of the questions on the previously mentioned survey? I think it would help those who did not recieve the opportunity to take/see this survey understand the ideas about future EP ideas/projects.

[mickeymouse254]

I say they combine the ideas of weather/special events with farming/county fairs.

[rian90]

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but would any one be allowed/willing to share a few pics/links/documents of the questions on the previously mentioned survey? I think it would help those who did not recieve the opportunity to take/see this survey understand the ideas about future EP ideas/projects.

http://simsvip.com/?p=10282

http://simsvip.com/?p=10248

[Arisuka]

Farming could very well be made into a new profession, like having sims register as a farmer and then be able to have loosely guided tasks to perform or maybe more opportunity-like stuff available to them. But it would be nice if the profession tasks would be just loosely guiding, since it would be pretty boring to play if the whole thing was a totally career-like thing consisting of just strict tasks and levels to perform.

I doubt we'll be seeing any farm animals, that ship seems to have sailed with Pets... It really wouldn't have required much from EA to turn that parrot into a simple chicken wandering around the yard and laying eggs which could've been sold or used for cooking. Same for cows, the movement and animation of horses is so similar that it would've required just some copy/pasting of coding. Watching sims try to milk a cow would've been funny!
Not sure what a pig could have added to the game though... XD Meat production just doesn't fit into The Sims lol... maybe after it had died of old age it could've magically turned into a batch of bacon in the family's fridge. :lol:

[Alliteration]

:)

It would if you didn't have things to overcome, such as bad weather, bugs (pestilence) and disease, all mentioned in the survey. I would agree with you otherwise as I find gardening very dull. But what isn't rinse and repeat in this game? Carnival that you go to the same rides/games over and over again? Vacation that has the same exact pop-ups telling you about your exciting hike? At least having to fight off the elements would be different.
But it would still be monotonous after a while, correct? "Oh, it's snowing, time to que up this set of actions. Oh it's sunny, and here comes the sunshine-related farming opportunity that I've read a billion and a half times already". Just not seeing it.

[rian90]

But it would still be monotonous after a while, correct? "Oh, it's snowing, time to que up this set of actions. Oh it's sunny, and here comes the sunshine-related farming opportunity that I've read a billion and a half times already". Just not seeing it.

Storms, droughts, bad weather, pestilence, disease...that is boring? I guess it depends on how you play your game. If you want a rpg, then yes, I suppose it is boring because you have to make the story. If you like collecting tons of mundane little creatures/seeds/whatever, then I guess it is boring.

But to me, trying to create a farm or a business and have effects occur in the game that force me to change the way I am doing whatever it is I am doing is not boring.

I guess it depends on the player. If you enjoy real simulations and strategy, it is not boring.




I doubt we'll be seeing any farm animals, that ship seems to have sailed with Pets...

I don't know about that, Arisuka. Some of those new magic creatures seem to require new animations and are of various sizes, not to mention a wolf for the werewolf, which would undoubtedly have new animations from a dog. Besides, I suspect that farm animals would be easier than the magical creatures (non-human size at least) because they don't have to interact with furniture, no one has to ride them, and they don't have to do much other than walk around and moo or cackle, peck at the ground, eat out of a feed trough, etc.

I do agree that EA doesn't like to do things that are difficult, but they had a lot of success with Pets so who knows. I would say if they do magical creatures, they could possibly add more animals...but whether they do either well, that is another story.

[crocobaura]

Not sure what a pig could have added to the game though... XD Meat production just doesn't fit into The Sims lol... maybe after it had died of old age it could've magically turned into a batch of bacon in the family's fridge. :lol:

Pigs could be used to find truffles. Also, I have no issues with pigs changing into porkchops or bacon after a set number of days or at player's request. It could be something like harvest pig or something like that.

[rian90]

Pigs could be used to find truffles. Also, I have no issues with pigs changing into porkchops or bacon after a set number of days or at player's request. It could be something like harvest pig or something like that.

Yes, and milk/cheese from cows and goats, maybe even sheep (yogurt?). Wool from sheep and llamas, eggs from chickens...really don't need to go the meat route.

[Alliteration]

But I don't want an RPG, I want a simulation game, but an interesting one. And, to me, farming isn't interesting. Storms, droughts, bad weather, pestilence and disease are all events that would likely be calculated by the same things that calculate everything else in the game, and the same scenario would likely be repeated over and over and over again. I just don't see a farming system being implemented in a way that would be any more interesting after a few hours of playing the same thing. It's why I can't play Harvest Moon games, or any resource management games; farming in itself is a boring subject. Even with various obstacles that may get in your way, it's still sitting back and waiting for your (edible) grass to grow.

[rian90]

And, to me, farming isn't interesting. Storms, droughts, bad weather, pestilence and disease are all events that would likely be calculated by the same things that calculate everything else in the game, and the same scenario would likely be repeated over and over and over again.

Well, this happens with EVERYTHING in the Sims games...and actually, most computer games. ;) The only way you can get away from that is with an MMO where you play with other players.

At least some random events in there would give us a chance to deal with something unexpected every once in a while. Right now, I find the game very dull and boring.

Every EP suggestion so far has the same repetitive problem, including the magic pack (with spells that do the same thing all the time based on calculations). Every game has this problem because there simply are not enough iterations in a computer game's code to give you the same simulation you get in real life.

You did say "to me, farming is not interesting" which leaves open the possibility that farming might be interesting to others. :) Magic is not at all interesting to me since I can get it much better in other games, but I certainly wouldn't begrudge others from enjoying a Magic EP.

I think the only solution to the repetitiveness is to have TONS of repetitive behaviors so that we don't have to play the same things over and over again. LOL So they need to give us ALL those EP ideas!

[Arisuka]

But I don't want an RPG, I want a simulation game, but an interesting one. And, to me, farming isn't interesting. Storms, droughts, bad weather, pestilence and disease are all events that would likely be calculated by the same things that calculate everything else in the game, and the same scenario would likely be repeated over and over and over again. I just don't see a farming system being implemented in a way that would be any more interesting after a few hours of playing the same thing.

Well, pretty much all tasks in TS3 are like that already. They are pre-programmed tasks and the same patterns are used for all professions, the only thing that is different is the seeming theme. Fame system, performing artist system, collecting system, AMB profession systems and adventure system... they are all like that, so a farming system wouldn't be anyhow more 'boring' since all tasks in TS3 work in the same way.

I don't know about that, Arisuka. Some of those new magic creatures seem to require new animations and are of various sizes, not to mention a wolf for the werewolf, which would undoubtedly have new animations from a dog. Besides, I suspect that farm animals would be easier than the magical creatures (non-human size at least) because they don't have to interact with furniture, no one has to ride them, and they don't have to do much other than walk around and moo or cackle, peck at the ground, eat out of a feed trough, etc.

You do have a good point there! The coding for the routing of Pets must be in all games after the release of Pets (since it broke down a lot of objects regardless if you have the EP or not), so the routing additions for Pets was included in a patch, not the EP. That means that maybe EA could very well take advantage of that and add new pet based creatures in future EPs.
But I still do find it annoying that EA didn't take the small effort further with Pets to include those simple farm animals. It bugs me that they now have started to spread out same themed stuff into different EPs, like with LN and SHT. It just feels so gimmicky... :wtf:

[crocobaura]

I think the only solution to the repetitiveness is to have TONS of repetitive behaviors so that we don't have to play the same things over and over again. LOL So they need to give us ALL those EP ideas!

The whole game is made up of repetitive behaviours, but somehow I think there's a difference between growing vegetables for a living and always having to deliver the 10 perfect "cheese" so you can get the omni plant. And yes, we need many new interractions and we shouldn't be forced into quests.

[Alliteration]

Exactly, it's the same as everything else in the game, so whether or not farming would be boring, has nothing to do with it's implementation, but with how interesting one personally finds the concept of farming, which I do not at all. As a personal sort of thing, farming will probably never be something that I find interesting.

[sierrakusterbeck]

I would much rather they did a farm EP on it's own instead of including it with a Seasons EP because I don't want my sims rolling wants to buy a cow or finding a pig sitting in Central Park because some family, thanks to Story Progression, decided they needed a pig and no place to put it. Farming doesn't sound fun to me, most likely because I live in Texas and although where I live is becoming more city-esque, there's still a lot of farms and it gets boring to look at every single day.
So if they did make a farm EP on its own, the people who don't want weather (which surprises me because it seems like almost everyone wants seasons) can farm if they want and people who don't want to farm can still have weather.

[BartholomewMaximillion]

Ever since I played Harvest Moon years ago, I can never look at farming the same way again. It's just so...difficult. You start out small and work hard to...what? Get more land and work ever harder! Farming is the kind of thing that will seriously kill your sim's free time and force them into a lifetime of labour. A small garden takes so much time as is in ts3. Not that I have anything against farming though. I'll probably still end up getting a farming EP if it ever comes out, but only for the stuff and to complete my ts3 collection. I probably won't bother with farming, though, or whatever world comes with it.
But we've wasted enough EP slots on those kinds of EPs (I do mean you, Showtime). I'm hoping the weather EP is water-themed or something. Anything that lets us swim in the sea and maybe even get eaten by sharks. Ts3 needs more ridiculous natural disasters. I mean, we finally have an open world. I wanna break it.

[zigersimmer]

I say they combine the ideas of weather/special events with farming/county fairs.

Yes! I want to raise hogs and enter them in the state fair and win a blue ribbon. I also want to enter pies and preserves and win ribbons for those.

[crocobaura]

They should also bring back the juice machine from TS2. Right now my sims are making apple juice or cider with the nectar press but it would have been nice if they could have different effects like the TS2 smoothies.

[rian90]

Farming doesn't sound fun to me, most likely because I live in Texas and although where I live is becoming more city-esque, there's still a lot of farms and it gets boring to look at every single day.

Thank goodness for those boring farmers!! ;) I am the grand-daughter of a farmer and if you ever actually lived on a farm, you would see it is far from boring.

Ever since I played Harvest Moon years ago, I can never look at farming the same way again. It's just so...difficult.

Yes! I want DIFFICULT in this game! It is so easy and that makes it boring for me. I want something that makes me have to work to succeed. Sims 3 is so dumbed down compared to Sims 1 and Sims 2, that it is easy to lose interest.

I would much rather they did a farm EP on it's own instead of including it with a Seasons EP because I don't want my sims rolling wants to buy a cow or finding a pig sitting in Central Park because some family, thanks to Story Progression, decided they needed a pig and no place to put it.

Well, I would prefer not to roll a want to see a mummy or become a wizard, but I wouldn't deny either of those to people who want them just because I can't click my mouse and ignore the wants. ;) Pigs can be house pets too!

[sierrakusterbeck]

Thank goodness for those boring farmers!! ;) I am the grand-daughter of a farmer and if you ever actually lived on a farm, you would see it is far from boring.
I'm sorry I'm not fascinated by the idea of farming. I just don't think it looks fun or interesting and I definitely don't want it in my game since I play the game for fun.
Well, I would prefer not to roll a want to see a mummy or become a wizard, but I wouldn't deny either of those to people who want them just because I can't click my mouse and ignore the wants. ;) Pigs can be house pets too!
I never said they shouldn't make a farming EP at all because I don't want random wants like that, I just said they shouldn't combine it with a seasons EP and instead make it on its own so people would have a choice if they wanted farm animals just walking around their towns or not.

[DigitalSympathies]

As an avid to-this-day Harvest Moon fan, I'm a total resounding YES on the idea of farming. For me, it's just soothing, as out one side of my house you can see a city, and the other, a wetland - so really a little virtual escape like that to my sims would be well-needed. I loved the games and for me and my playstyle it wasn't hard not to enjoy. Maybe because I'm an A Wonderful Life fan or what, but I really enjoyed the overall experience.

[eskie227]

You do have a good point there! The coding for the routing of Pets must be in all games after the release of Pets (since it broke down a lot of objects regardless if you have the EP or not), so the routing additions for Pets was included in a patch, not the EP. That means that maybe EA could very well take advantage of that and add new pet based creatures in future EPs.
But I still do find it annoying that EA didn't take the small effort further with Pets to include those simple farm animals. It bugs me that they now have started to spread out same themed stuff into different EPs, like with LN and SHT. It just feels so gimmicky... :wtf:

But, if they use the coding from Pets, would I end up with the family sheep lying on the couch? :sheep: :blink:

[zigersimmer]

I'm sorry I'm not fascinated by the idea of farming. I just don't think it looks fun or interesting and I definitely don't want it in my game since I play the game for fun.

I never said they shouldn't make a farming EP at all because I don't want random wants like that, I just said they shouldn't combine it with a seasons EP and instead make it on its own so people would have a choice if they wanted farm animals just walking around their towns or not.

What would you like to see combined with the weather that will come with seasons? I don't think an EP that only includes weather effects and nothing else is going to fly. A seasons EP that only gave us the weather would be about as lame as Generations.

The only other thing I can think of that would combine well with seasons would be outdoor sporting activities, and I'd really like that too.

[rian90]

I'm sorry I'm not fascinated by the idea of farming. I just don't think it looks fun or interesting and I definitely don't want it in my game since I play the game for fun.

I never said they shouldn't make a farming EP at all because I don't want random wants like that, I just said they shouldn't combine it with a seasons EP and instead make it on its own so people would have a choice if they wanted farm animals just walking around their towns or not.

It is perfectly fine that you don't want something in your game. :) I don't want magic in my game.

As for including farming in Seasons, probably not, although who knows what they will do. Regardless, the EPs I buy ALWAYS have stuff I do not want. I don't use half of what is in there. I ignore vampires and use a mod not to have them. I have never gone tomb exploring, and I use pets sparingly because of the routing issues. But I still find something to enjoy in every pack...so far at least.

I have little doubt that EA will add stuff to a Seasons or Magic pack that most of us will want. I bought Showtime for the mechanical bull, the pool table, and the skeeball. I am not complaining though. If I want to use the rest of the pack, I will. Otherwise, I am happy with my pool table! EA does this so people like me will buy the packs and I doubt they are going to change that in the future.

[fraavio]

OMG!!

Did you guys hear?

This is the Weather EP thread.

Just sayin'.

Yes, I'm a dick like that.

[bassoon_crazy]

OMG!!

Did you guys hear?

This is the Weather EP thread.

Just sayin'.

Yes, I'm a dick like that.

It's no use. 90% of this topic has already been off-topic. :(

When I see this topic updated I keep on hoping that something has somehow came up, but everytime I open the topic it's just discussions that are completely unrelated to Seasons/Weather.

This topic (http://nene.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=352890) exists for a reason, you know?

[rian90]

I tried to turn it back to weather, but finally gave up. LOL

[zigersimmer]

Farmers talk about weather all the time. :D

[Arisuka]

But, if they use the coding from Pets, would I end up with the family sheep lying on the couch? :sheep: :blink:

lol :lol: Yeah, to clarify a bit, I meant that as there is already a separate routing system for animals, EA could easily add on to that with new coding for new creatures and their behavior. For example, note that the wild deer in Pets is an animal that doesn't act as the actual pet animals. Same goes for the raccoon and wild horses, they function and behave different from the pets, but are all based on the same basic routing system as pets. :)

Yeah, this thread is mostly off-topic since we are left to speculate wildly until EA decides to finally throw us something reliable... :/

Somebody mentioned the juice machine from TS2! That would be awesome to have, imagine milkshakes and lemonades during summertime! Even nicer would be if we'd also have a stand or cash machine with a seller sim from whom you could buy different foods depending on the current season. Milkshakes, candy apples, those toasted nuts that Americans have during wintertime, hot chocolate... with a cute moodlet to fit the theme of course! :)

[goteampink]

What would you like to see combined with the weather that will come with seasons? I don't think an EP that only includes weather effects and nothing else is going to fly. A seasons EP that only gave us the weather would be about as lame as Generations.

The only other thing I can think of that would combine well with seasons would be outdoor sporting activities, and I'd really like that too.

While I would love for EA to put out MORE in their EPs...they won't...Maybe they will. But going with the theory that they just want more money and that arguably the other EPs have been lacking in 'feeling complete' I just doubt there will be more than weather and some activities that go along with it.

I would definitely buy a farming EP but I think I'd rather have a more magic themed one. I will probably buy any EP other than the reality show concept...And this is why EA can release EPs with less stuff, we keep buying them anyway :lol:

[sierrakusterbeck]

What would you like to see combined with the weather that will come with seasons? I don't think an EP that only includes weather effects and nothing else is going to fly. A seasons EP that only gave us the weather would be about as lame as Generations.

The only other thing I can think of that would combine well with seasons would be outdoor sporting activities, and I'd really like that too.
True. Really all I want is weather, carnivals, for bands to work with singers, maybe something for my sims that have the "Love The Outdoors" trait.
But it's EA, I don't think they really care if their EPs are lame or if they're going to fly with their fans cause they know a ton of people will break down and buy what they put out anyway.

[Riptide651]

I want a ski resort, and a normal swimmable beach

[ViolettaVie]

I want thunderstorms you can see out in the ocean and approaching tornados and tropical hurricanes. If you sim has a basement they can escape the worst weather but those that don't can have their houses destroyed. I also want to see cars and animals carried away in the tornados.

[Miko09]

I was raised on Harvest Moon and I am dying for the farming EP concept. Sounds devine. Get me a backwards blue cap and I'm ready to go!

[olomaya]

I want thunderstorms you can see out in the ocean and approaching tornados and tropical hurricanes. If you sim has a basement they can escape the worst weather but those that don't can have their houses destroyed. I also want to see cars and animals carried away in the tornados.

I can spend hours just decorating ONE room in a house to get it just the way I like it. So the idea of having that randomly destroyed by a natural disaster is filed under "WANT, DO NOT".

Having said that, Twister cows would be really cool. :cool:

[jeffrompas]

If disasters are going to be included, perhaps they could make destruction as an optional thing so that people that want it can turn it on via options. But knowing EA, I wouldn't bet on it.

[bassoon_crazy]

I do not believe natural disasters are even feasible for The Sims 3. A tornado would have to do a lot of damage. I don't think that would work out visually in The Sims 3. Maybe in some The Sims game down the line, but not this one. They'd have to make it to where each object would be able to have a destroyed look/get tossed to the side/etc. That is unless they just made it to where houses that got hit were now just indiscernible lumps of debris. In which case, that would be a bit much, don't you think? It's funny when a meteorite falls, but a natural disaster would happen more often and be more precedented than that.

Small-scale 'disasters' like blizzards and ice storms would be cool, though. They could close schools and knock out the power. Those are effects that would work in The Sims 3 and not be too over-the-top.

[rian90]

I think we are more likely to see disasters that add rather than subtract. Lighting strikes that add fire, wind storms that add debris and broken limbs, snowstorms that add snow drifts, and floods that add puddles are more likely than destroyed objects. We might also see the affects of weather disasters on the sims' lives, such as power outages, ruined crops due to flood or drought, closed schools, impassable roads (can't drive), need to plow out the driveway, need to buy power surges and lightning rods, need to clean up the debris in the yard, etc. There is actually a lot you could do with this without having to destroy homes and buildings.

[crocobaura]

I do not believe natural disasters are even feasible for The Sims 3. A tornado would have to do a lot of damage. I don't think that would work out visually in The Sims 3. Maybe in some The Sims game down the line, but not this one. They'd have to make it to where each object would be able to have a destroyed look/get tossed to the side/etc. That is unless they just made it to where houses that got hit were now just indiscernible lumps of debris. In which case, that would be a bit much, don't you think? It's funny when a meteorite falls, but a natural disaster would happen more often and be more precedented than that.

Small-scale 'disasters' like blizzards and ice storms would be cool, though. They could close schools and knock out the power. Those are effects that would work in The Sims 3 and not be too over-the-top.

Most objects already have distressed appearance, from the fire and pets interractions. If they did tornadoes, I guess they'll need to add some broken tree branches and maybe replace some of the outside furniture with piles of debris. They don't have to make them appear like the houses have been shredded to pieces.

[matrix54]

And remove the roofing and roof-items from homes, but keep the walls at an angle.

Earlier, I did say add puddles of water in basements, and outdoor furniture turned to a little pile of debris, and the random tree limbs would be a good idea. Little piles of ash, and trash on the floor, and maybe missing appliances (if the roof on the level is gone). Trash can tipped over. Have the power out for a day, and just call to get everything replaced. You get money back for the damages done (insurance), and you just replace it all, or buy new stuff, or build a new home all together. Maybe offer a lifetime reward for a danger proof house.

I also got the crazy idea of having a section of wall exterior act like a window, but instead of being a window, it'd look like a hole in the wall the size of the current window.

[eskie227]

Well, they have no problem demolishing your home and killing off sims with meteors. I'm not sure I understand why, if a meteor can hit a school and knock off 10 or 20 kids, a tornado would not be possible.

[rian90]

Well, they have no problem demolishing your home and killing off sims with meteors. I'm not sure I understand why, if a meteor can hit a school and knock off 10 or 20 kids, a tornado would not be possible.

It should be possible! :) It is whether or not they will do it. I could see a tornado hitting and leaving behind a pile of debris where the school once stood!

I have never had a meteor in my game so not sure what causes it to happen. Is it completely random? Does it hit houses or just community lots? I guess I would hate it if I lost a favorite family but since the risk is already there, I guess I would deal with it...maybe not saving or something.

[bassoon_crazy]

Well, they have no problem demolishing your home and killing off sims with meteors. I'm not sure I understand why, if a meteor can hit a school and knock off 10 or 20 kids, a tornado would not be possible.

Well meteors are completely random and very rare to my understanding. A tornado could happen any time it thunderstorms. Which would mean it would happen more often, and it wouldn't be quite as amusing.

[rian90]

Well meteors are completely random and very rare to my understanding. A tornado could happen any time it thunderstorms. Which would mean it would happen more often, and it wouldn't be quite as amusing.

Except..tornadoes do not happen every time it thunderstorms and even when they do, they do not always cause damage. I can remember many thunderstorms growing up in the midwest but only a relatively small number of actual tornadoes near my house/town and none of them hit my house. If you look at the number of tornadoes any given year, they do not seem so rare. But if you choose a house or even a town, then tornadoes do not often hit those specific locations. What would be fun is a tornado warning on the TV or weather radio station with only a small chance of it actually affecting the town. It would give your sims a chance to get out of the way or in a storm cellar.

[bassoon_crazy]

Except..tornadoes do not happen every time it thunderstorms and even when they do, they do not always cause damage.

I said they could happen anytime it thunderstorms. And the probability of them occurring during that time would have to be quite a bit higher than the probability of a meteor hitting your world at any given time.

"they do not always cause damage' - but this is a video game. The tornadoes that come to your world are not going to be harmless, they are going to be the kind that causes all kind of damage.

[Arisuka]

I also want to see cars and animals carried away in the tornados.

I totally imagined a :llama: up in the sky! :lol: Now that would be something to see!

[eskie227]

I want to see that stray dog that always shreds my newspaper pull a Toto.

[rian90]

I said they could happen anytime it thunderstorms.

I read that as "Every storm could spawn a tornado". My mistake. The point is that not every storm is the same. We have storms here in Florida almost every single day in the summer and they never spawn tornadoes because they are not the types of storms that spawn tornadoes.

I would hope that EA gives us storms of varying intensities and even links those to seasons. A summer convection storm most likely won't spawn dangerous tornadoes but a spring storm would have a better chance, but not always.

Love the idea of things twirling around in the sky! A llama! What a great idea! LOL I remember that scene in the Wizard of Oz..used to scare me as a kid. I had to hide until that part was over.

One fun thing to add: When I lived in Illinois, whenever we had a tornado warning, there would always be people standing outside watching the twirling clouds above. Maybe we should have a storm cellar and inactives could run for the storm cellar..unless they had the brave or the NEW curiosity trait! LOL They could spawn a wish to see a tornado and refuse to go in the cellar. So much fun!

Oh, and I do think they would be more fun if they didn't always cause damage. It makes it less predictable and more exciting. That thrill of wondering if your town will escape this time is so much better then knowing it is inevitable.

[zigersimmer]

I can spend hours just decorating ONE room in a house to get it just the way I like it. So the idea of having that randomly destroyed by a natural disaster is filed under "WANT, DO NOT".

Having said that, Twister cows would be really cool. :cool:

Always save your work to the house bin, or export directory.

"We've got cows."

Well meteors are completely random and very rare to my understanding. A tornado could happen any time it thunderstorms. Which would mean it would happen more often, and it wouldn't be quite as amusing.

Do not panic. I'm sure Twallan or another modder will give us something we can use to control the chance of disasters, or even control or eliminate them entirely as the user wishes.

[writerchick]

If you went by the coverage in the media alone about the destructive power of tornadoes, you'd think every one devastates entire towns. The reality is that most tornadoes don't do a lot of damage, or it's very localized.

I've seen instances where one house was trashed, while all the other houses surrounding it were untouched. It can be THAT localized.

Most of the time, when there's a tornado that goes through my area, it does no damage to us. Maybe takes out some trees in the neighborhood. The power is more likely to go out -- due to downed power lines -- than any damage done to the house. Or you might get damage from trees that fell ON your house, but not from the tornado itself...

What I'm saying is that every tornado in-game (were EA to give us tornadoes in a weather EP) wouldn't have to devastate the entire town. It could hit a house or two -- maybe not even a house the player was currently playing.

So the gameplay could go like this:

The lights flicker in your sims' house as a storm approaches (and has maybe hit a neighboring community or the edges of the one where your sim lives).

You get a message that maybe you should get out a flashlight (and batteries) and take cover in your basement, if you have one.

There's lots of noise and the image onscreen kinda shakes for ten seconds or so... then everything gets eerily quiet...

You get an all-clear message that the storm has passed and it's safe to come out.

Now you can check to see if there's any damage... maybe there is, maybe you were lucky and there isn't!

If there isn't any damage, maybe the player could get a message saying, "The Jacobs family lost their house due to the recent tornado which swept through town. Would you like to take some of their family in as refugees, until their home can be rebuilt?" Then if the player said yes, they'd get an option asking how many guests they'd like to take in...

EA could program their game so that certain worlds are more likely to get tornadoes than others, or more frequently than others. So someplace like Appaloosa Plains might be very likely to get tornadoes, while Bridgeport would be far less likely. And France and Egypt wouldn't get them at all...

[DigitalSympathies]

I like that idea a lot, writerchick! Maybe another thing would be like the power outage scenario that was scrapped from TS2, where randomly the power goes out and you have to keep everyone's fun motives maxed out.

[Arisuka]

writerchick Something like you described would be very cool to have, thinking about the open world of TS3. It would have the sims in a world more involved and connected, which would make some great game play! Challenges, tasks and bonding! But having said that, I hope that wouldn't be the most prominent feature of the EP, or at least we'd need a way to control the occurring and frequencies of extreme weather conditions, since it would be nice to also just simply enjoy the seasons and weather... :lol:

[bassoon_crazy]

I read that as "Every storm could spawn a tornado". My mistake. The point is that not every storm is the same. We have storms here in Florida almost every single day in the summer and they never spawn tornadoes because they are not the types of storms that spawn tornadoes.

I would hope that EA gives us storms of varying intensities and even links those to seasons. A summer convection storm most likely won't spawn dangerous tornadoes but a spring storm would have a better chance, but not always.

I live in Oklahoma. I know all too well about the different types of storms.

However, I don't think that EA does, and even if they did, there's no saying that they'd be able to or even want to make there be that many different levels of storms.

Look at The Sims 2 - all rain storms had lightning and thunder IIRC. And hail - which only happens during thunderstorms in reality - happened in the middle of nowhere.

Weather is simplified for The Sims. I can guarantee you that at most they'd only have two different types of storms - one with rain, and then another with thunder and lightning added - which would presumably contain the possibility for suggested tornadoes.

And that's if they even separated the two concepts.

[Arisuka]

Weather is simplified for The Sims. I can guarantee you that at most they'd only have two different types of storms - one with rain, and then another with thunder and lightning added - which would presumably contain the possibility for suggested tornadoes.

And that's if they even separated the two concepts.

Of course the weather is simplified for The Sims, but what's important is how interactive they make it... They can indeed choose to make it either just a visual thing or something that triggers actual interactive things and events (good and bad) in the active household as well as in the open world.

For those interested, in the hidden effects found in the game since AMB, here's the different storm related effects:
-Heavy and light rain and two types of lightnings (huge and smaller) which are separate from the rain effects (so based on that we can assume that the type of rainy weather varies?)
-different clouds (thicker and not so thick) and fog
-windy sound effect of an approaching storm
-heavy snow fall and light snowfall

So those effects already are a bit more varied than in TS2, but if they don't add more new types of interactive stuff related to weather it would be just TS2 Seasons all over again... :/ which wouldn't be all too bad, but it would be nice to have something new too!

[cameranutz2]

...
For those interested, in the hidden effects found in the game since AMB, here's the different storm related effects:
-Heavy and light rain and two types of lightnings (huge and smaller) which are separate from the rain effects (so based on that we can assume that the type of rainy weather varies?)
-different clouds (thicker and not so thick) and fog
-windy sound effect of an approaching storm
-heavy snow fall and light snowfall

So those effects already are a bit more varied than in TS2, but if they don't add more new types of interactive stuff related to weather it would be just TS2 Seasons all over again... :/ which wouldn't be all too bad, but it would be nice to have something new too!

I want it alllll.....nowwwww! :bunny:

[ViolettaVie]

I can spend hours just decorating ONE room in a house to get it just the way I like it. So the idea of having that randomly destroyed by a natural disaster is filed under "WANT, DO NOT".

Having said that, Twister cows would be really cool. :cool:
Well, what if you can decide which houses will be saved? Or if you can have the options to turn off natural disasters? Or the degrees of disasters? Destroyed home would be a bit much I guess but I do want storms.

[bassoon_crazy]

Well, what if you can decide which houses will be saved?

Just like you can decide which houses get hit my meteors?

It doesn't work that way.

[zigersimmer]

I just popped in to say that it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside to know that my own, personal stalker is disagreeing with every post I make. /waves to stalker hi hi

[rian90]

I just popped in to say that it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside to know that my own, personal stalker is disagreeing with every post I make. /waves to stalker hi hi

Ha, and your last post was not even something easy to disagree with! LOL Don't feel bad, I think many of us have one of those. At least you are noticed!

[Ive]

There must some disagree troll on these forums. Like in the pictures threads there is someone disagreeing with every post, no matter what :giggler:

Inbefore someone disagreeing.

[acid_fairy]

Look at The Sims 2 - all rain storms had lightning and thunder IIRC. And hail - which only happens during thunderstorms in reality - happened in the middle of nowhere.


Hail only happens during thunderstorms?! Not in England it doesn't!

[kayls42]

Hail only happens during thunderstorms?! Not in England it doesn't!

Agreed - over here on the west coast (usa), we often get hail in the middle of a sunny day for no reason! :wtf:

[bassoon_crazy]

Hail only happens during thunderstorms?! Not in England it doesn't!

Where I live I have neither seen nor heard about hail happening outside of thunderstorms. Hail is created specifically in thunderstorm clouds to begin with.

[TMBrandon]

Where I live I have neither seen nor heard about hail happening outside of thunderstorms. Hail is created specifically in thunderstorm clouds to begin with.

Wrong, hail is created when the warm updrafts and cold downdrafts of the sky collides. So the water freezes and ice adds on make a ball of hail. Which does mostly happens in thunderstorms therefore making it a hailstorm since thunderstorms carry these drafts much faster than normal weather, but besides the point hail can come at any time the two drafts are present and collide. So it could be snowing outside my house and that snow turns into hail, or it could be sunny and 80 degrees outside (which it is!) and a large gray cloud can come out of nowhere and hail begins falling. Or even out of the sky, like rain does sometimes, but when this happens it tends to be smaller and not as long as a fall due to the lack of intensity within that cold draft or hot draft, so thunderstorms which have both of these drafts at a equilibrium at times, produces more hail than that of which in the situations I said above. So in theory, yes you are correct, but technically you're wrong.

[rian90]

We have had hail in Florida! Talk about weird! And sometimes these hailstones are pretty big. It doesn't happen during our thunderstorms though.

[coltraz]

Wrong, hail starts when a hail-summoning wind instrument is blown.

[kayls42]

Also, it hailed today. Started hailing right after my previous post about random sunny day hail in my area.
I felt like I had superpowers for a minute.

[TMBrandon]

Wrong, hail starts when a hail-summoning wind instrument is blown.

God dammit I knew there was something up with Google today :(

[~MadameButterfly~]

Aww...forget the hail. Gimme volcanoes. :D

[eskie227]

Isn't hail on a sunny day related to frogs falling from the sky and locust descending on the land?

[fraavio]

It hails when Storm gets pms.

[rian90]

Isn't hail on a sunny day related to frogs falling from the sky and locust descending on the land?\

Frogs actually do fall from the sky! http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/rain-frog.htm

I have a friend who witnessed this as a child. He said it scared him half to death!

EA should add this to a weather pack! ;)

[bassoon_crazy]

Wrong, hail is created when the warm updrafts and cold downdrafts of the sky collides. So the water freezes and ice adds on make a ball of hail. Which does mostly happens in thunderstorms therefore making it a hailstorm since thunderstorms carry these drafts much faster than normal weather, but besides the point hail can come at any time the two drafts are present and collide. So it could be snowing outside my house and that snow turns into hail, or it could be sunny and 80 degrees outside (which it is!) and a large gray cloud can come out of nowhere and hail begins falling. Or even out of the sky, like rain does sometimes, but when this happens it tends to be smaller and not as long as a fall due to the lack of intensity within that cold draft or hot draft, so thunderstorms which have both of these drafts at a equilibrium at times, produces more hail than that of which in the situations I said above. So in theory, yes you are correct, but technically you're wrong.

I have never, in my entire life, seen hail outside of a thunderstorm. And we seriously get the oddest weather around where I live. It can literally go from 83 degrees to snow on the ground overnight.

Either way can't we agree that EA's way of doing hail in The Sims 2 was strange? Hail should happen in the middle of thunderstorms.

[purexevil666]

Agreed - over here on the west coast (usa), we often get hail in the middle of a sunny day for no reason! :wtf:
In here it only hails in the late winter and the begining of spring :wtf:

[Arisuka]

rian90 I remember back in TS2 there was some kind of a lifetime reward that gave the ability to somehow control the weather or trigger certain types of patterns. It would be fun indeed to trigger a frog-storm. :lol: That would make some hilarious moodlets and memories...

[~MadameButterfly~]

Because of this thread, I ended up educating my son on raining-frog phenomenon. I found an educational video on youtube and everything. He was cracking up.

[rian90]

Because of this thread, I ended up educating my son on raining-frog phenomenon. I found an educational video on youtube and everything. He was cracking up.

Ha! I did the same thing with my daughters when my friend first told me about his experience. :)

[ani_]

Tornadoes. Not sure I would like that. But it would go well with the theme of the series, with SC1 having them.
I do hope when we get weather we would get back the skating ring, that was a cool object, even though I never figured out how to do things with a partner. Also I really liked the sunbathing from BV.

I do hope Sims get umbrellas. It always bugged me that Sims didn't get wet in TS2. They would acknowledge it was raining but they had no concept of being wet. Now sims have that concept, it would be silly not to get wet from rain. The umbrella could be like the cane from GEN. You can buy it, and if the Sims has it, they use it. Others just run around with their hands over their heads.

[Ive]

Yea I hope they would then bring back sunbathing and sunburn :) The Lounges don't have much use now.

[eskie227]

Tornadoes. Not sure I would like that. But it would go well with the theme of the series, with SC1 having them.
I do hope when we get weather we would get back the skating ring, that was a cool object, even though I never figured out how to do things with a partner. Also I really liked the sunbathing from BV.

I do hope Sims get umbrellas. It always bugged me that Sims didn't get wet in TS2. They would acknowledge it was raining but they had no concept of being wet. Now sims have that concept, it would be silly not to get wet from rain. The umbrella could be like the cane from GEN. You can buy it, and if the Sims has it, they use it. Others just run around with their hands over their heads.

And I bet EA finds a way of breaking every custom hair mesh when they get wet. Can't wait for that patch. :up:

[PunkyBreester]

I'd like to see..

Spring/rain: Sims with related traits catch "spring fever", rolling more romance/woohoo-related wants, and are more successful in their social endeavors. Pets catch spring fever, too, and are more likely to mate.. Maybe there's a higher chance of multiple births / larger litters for sims and pets. Some sims have allergies (outdoor allergies, but also allergies to cats and dogs, with the option of getting allergy shots every so often at the hospital). Umbrellas as ani_ described. Puddles to splash around in, pets getting wet/muddy, pets and sims tracking mud into the house. Garden plants grow faster and with higher quality during this time.

Summer/hot weather: Sims with related traits are especially lazy/lethargic because of the hot weather - like the opposite of "stir crazy", they just don't want to leave the air conditioned house! Of course that also implies new objects - air conditioners, fans. Of course, you'll also need sunscreen if you're planning on being outside in the sun, unless you want to get burned (and possibly tanned, by just going up a couple notches on the skintone sliders). No school for most kids & teens, unless they had bad grades and need to go to summer school! Ice cream shops/parlors, water parks, skateboards and rollerskates (even if they have to be on standalone objects, like skate rinks/parks.. boo). A juicing machine that produces different moodlets/effects like in TS2. Snow cone vendors!

Fall/cold weather & wind: Sims with related traits roll wants to do especially well in school, study more, etc. Adults can have similar wants related to skilling or their careers (or, to sign up for courses online or at college). Hats/scarves/kids' homework blow away in the wind. Trees changing color, losing their leaves. Leaf piles can be raked up, jumped into, put into compost, etc like in TS2. Harvested plants have larger bounties at this time (if it would normally give you 3 fruits, for example, during Fall it gives you 5). Ice and/or thunderstorms, causing power outages and possibly small damages to outdoor furniture.. maybe even a couple of random deaths during a freak hail storm.

Winter/cold weather & snow: Sims with related traits roll wants to spend more time with family, get excited or stressed about the holidays, maybe even have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :lol: Sims and pets can catch a cold if they spend too much time outdoors/improperly dressed for the weather. Different moodlets/effects from the hot-beverage machines. Baked and candied apples! A simmified holiday combined from all of our major holidays (so as not to be culturally or religiously biased, and I like to have my sims live in their own little world without dragging too much of ours into it), where the family can work together to make a big meal, sit around and exchange gifts and stories, take lots of family pictures, etc. And of course, the snow.. Being snowed in / having school closed for a day or two, making snowmen and snow angels, having snowball fights, red cheeks and noses...


Also, I don't have SHT so I don't know how the Sim Fest works, but I think a Fest should be implemented into each season. For example, during Summer, there should be a fair with music, stands with various food and games, lots of picnickers and a fireworks display. In the Fall, perhaps a swap-mete, or a festival at a pumpkin patch with a corn maze, etc. During Winter, of course there'd be stands with coffee, hot chocolate, roasted nuts, and Glühwein, and merchants selling knickknacks to give your loved ones for the holidays. In Spring, a farmer's market! :)

[TMBrandon]

Oh, just something that came to mind that should be in this pack...A halloween sort of a fest during the fall like a pop-up comes up with some corny message like "It's Sim-o-Ween all the gools and galoms(?) are out, tonight's the night, get dressed up in your favorite glamour, or be the crazy witch next door. You'll never know what's what or who's who until you try it! So trick or treat and you may just find it!" and then when it's sunset you get your sim (toddler accompied by young adult, child, teen, young adult, or even elder) and click the dresser and get the option for costume or something, choose your costume then you'd go out in the neighborhood and then on map view there'd be a "hot spot" where you can get the most candy but you can also go around and just ring your neighbor's bell, some will be home, some won't, and then you can get a variety of things from candy to a shoe (to keep that crazy Sim aspect). And if your just not into that stuff, you can host a halloween party and have everyone dressed in constumes with scary music and stuff.

Another thing that came to mind while typing that is thanksgiving, this has been mentioned a couple of times I think. It would be cool to have a giant dinner on a specific day or something during the fall season where all your family just comes together at the "host house" and you have dinner. This would be a easy way to bring long distant families together also discover and develop new relationships or even trace your family line around town.

[rian90]

I would much prefer the put holiday packs in the store, each one a separate holiday with premium items and regular items and each one from a different culture/country. While I would love to have my sims celebrate Thanksgiving, that is a uniquely American holiday and not everyone would want that. Same with our version of Halloween. It would be fun though to have holidays from other cultures and the ability to trigger them with a premium object.

By putting them in the store, a reasonable price, we could pick and choose which ones we want.

[Arisuka]

rian90 Something similar was done back in TS2. The Seasons EP didn't include any type of new celebration interactions nor objects, but they released a stuff pack with Christmas objects and also objects for other winter celebrations from around the world.

I hope that in TS3 we will have made up seasons related celebrations exclusive to the sim world, consisting mainly of different community and home activities (like the way they were described in that survey!). That would mean that if you'd like to celebrate real-life holidays in your game you could get CC or Store items to make it look and feel like anything you want! :)

[rian90]

I hope that in TS3 we will have made up seasons related celebrations exclusive to the sim world, consisting mainly of different community and home activities (like the way they were described in that survey!). That would mean that if you'd like to celebrate real-life holidays in your game you could get CC or Store items to make it look and feel like anything you want! :)

Yes, this would be the perfect way to do it! I hope they will! Based on the surveys at least someone is thinking about this.

[zigersimmer]

\

Frogs actually do fall from the sky! http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/climate-weather/storms/rain-frog.htm

I have a friend who witnessed this as a child. He said it scared him half to death!

EA should add this to a weather pack! ;)

I'd rather have EA make mens fall from the sky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGLZqDXau98

[PunkyBreester]

I hope that in TS3 we will have made up seasons related celebrations exclusive to the sim world, consisting mainly of different community and home activities (like the way they were described in that survey!). That would mean that if you'd like to celebrate real-life holidays in your game you could get CC or Store items to make it look and feel like anything you want! :)

That's what I had in mind, too. Like I said, I like my sims to live in their own little world, without dragging too much of ours into it (religion, specific cultures, holidays, politics, whatever.. don't put it in my game, please :P)

[zigersimmer]

That's what I had in mind, too. Like I said, I like my sims to live in their own little world, without dragging too much of ours into it (religion, specific cultures, holidays, politics, whatever.. don't put it in my game, please :P)

Throughout history, many cultures have had holidays celebrating the harvest, the winter solstice, the arrival of spring, the summer solstice, etc. In fact, Christmas is just the winter solstice co-opted by the Catholic Church in order to convert northern European pagans.

[fraavio]

Yeah, so EA can go with generic season festivals. I think they'll blow it, though.

[jay_envy]

After reading those surveys I am pretty excited for the possibilities for this EP! Let's just hope they don't completely fuck it up or put half of the damn features in the Store...

[zigersimmer]

Let's just hope they don't completely fuck it up or put half of the damn features in the Store...
Hope springs eternal.

[ani_]

I really hope we get back that button in neighborhood mode where you can choose what weather your hood has, like we had in TS2. It's basically the only way that I could experience the seasons right in my hood. I play in rotation, and now that times always goes on, I could then set the weather at the start of every rotation. So every rotation would be in a different season.

I do think we will probably get something like this, because not all hoods have all seasons, like desert hoods and not all players like all seasons. But if EA fails, then I can always hope it will become a feature in MC.

[lisfyre]

Is it here yet?

[purexevil666]

Is it here yet? Don't expect this weather EP to be the next one :)..

[van Dorn]

Right. The first leak was Magic.

[bassoon_crazy]

But I still want to be hopeful.

[Drakesecaravdis]

I'd like to see..

Spring/rain: Sims with related traits catch "spring fever", rolling more romance/woohoo-related wants, and are more successful in their social endeavors. Pets catch spring fever, too, and are more likely to mate.. Maybe there's a higher chance of multiple births / larger litters for sims and pets. Some sims have allergies (outdoor allergies, but also allergies to cats and dogs, with the option of getting allergy shots every so often at the hospital). Umbrellas as ani_ described. Puddles to splash around in, pets getting wet/muddy, pets and sims tracking mud into the house. Garden plants grow faster and with higher quality during this time.

Summer/hot weather: Sims with related traits are especially lazy/lethargic because of the hot weather - like the opposite of "stir crazy", they just don't want to leave the air conditioned house! Of course that also implies new objects - air conditioners, fans. Of course, you'll also need sunscreen if you're planning on being outside in the sun, unless you want to get burned (and possibly tanned, by just going up a couple notches on the skintone sliders). No school for most kids & teens, unless they had bad grades and need to go to summer school! Ice cream shops/parlors, water parks, skateboards and rollerskates (even if they have to be on standalone objects, like skate rinks/parks.. boo). A juicing machine that produces different moodlets/effects like in TS2. Snow cone vendors!

Fall/cold weather & wind: Sims with related traits roll wants to do especially well in school, study more, etc. Adults can have similar wants related to skilling or their careers (or, to sign up for courses online or at college). Hats/scarves/kids' homework blow away in the wind. Trees changing color, losing their leaves. Leaf piles can be raked up, jumped into, put into compost, etc like in TS2. Harvested plants have larger bounties at this time (if it would normally give you 3 fruits, for example, during Fall it gives you 5). Ice and/or thunderstorms, causing power outages and possibly small damages to outdoor furniture.. maybe even a couple of random deaths during a freak hail storm.

Winter/cold weather & snow: Sims with related traits roll wants to spend more time with family, get excited or stressed about the holidays, maybe even have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :lol: Sims and pets can catch a cold if they spend too much time outdoors/improperly dressed for the weather. Different moodlets/effects from the hot-beverage machines. Baked and candied apples! A simmified holiday combined from all of our major holidays (so as not to be culturally or religiously biased, and I like to have my sims live in their own little world without dragging too much of ours into it), where the family can work together to make a big meal, sit around and exchange gifts and stories, take lots of family pictures, etc. And of course, the snow.. Being snowed in / having school closed for a day or two, making snowmen and snow angels, having snowball fights, red cheeks and noses...


Also, I don't have SHT so I don't know how the Sim Fest works, but I think a Fest should be implemented into each season. For example, during Summer, there should be a fair with music, stands with various food and games, lots of picnickers and a fireworks display. In the Fall, perhaps a swap-mete, or a festival at a pumpkin patch with a corn maze, etc. During Winter, of course there'd be stands with coffee, hot chocolate, roasted nuts, and Glühwein, and merchants selling knickknacks to give your loved ones for the holidays. In Spring, a farmer's market! :)


all these sound interesting but I really like that idea of summer vacation, holidays and snow days. one of the few things I have always hated about this franchise is that the kids get no break from school except on the weekends so all the family time they get is 2 days a week? and I think they even get homework on the weekend (can't remember, haven't had kids in a while so I could be wrong) which really limits their time
how are you supposed to build your relationship with your kids?

I also really admire the fair idea. wouldn't it be fun to have a fair with intense rides and romantic rides on the Ferris wheel? with the Ferris wheel they could incorporate (if they have the appropriate trait..maybe they could add a mischievous trait since some people aren't mean/evil just mischievous or would that be too similar for this?) sims rocking their seat back and forth. for holidays (I know more of you are leaning more towards made up ones so it would just be something like that) they could have something like a haunted ghost ride.



sorry in advance if in me updating this thread gets anyone's hopes up but so we have no idea at all when Seasons/Weather is coming out?

[sierrakusterbeck]

all these sound interesting but I really like that idea of summer vacation, holidays and snow days. one of the few things I have always hated about this franchise is that the kids get no break from school except on the weekends so all the family time they get is 2 days a week? and I think they even get homework on the weekend (can't remember, haven't had kids in a while so I could be wrong) which really limits their time
how are you supposed to build your relationship with your kids?
Agreed, my kids only get so much time after school cause they all have to do homework (which takes 1-2 hours), any opportunities they may have, and if they have a job/after school activity that takes even more time. Before you know it their energy bar is in the red and they haven't even gotten the chance to take the dog for a walk yet.
And you can't even let the kids skip school one day for a family day, cause if you do the parents start scolding the kids and they get grounded (if you have Gen). There's hardly any family time in the game :/

[lisfyre]

Don't expect this weather EP to be the next one :)..

I don't. I know EP7 is the supernatural/magic one. I'm hoping its EP8 :) ~~crosses fingers and toes~~

[gege_sml]

IDK, after so many rumors I'll only believe it when the official announcement comes

[matrix54]

^I agree. Until then, this thread is pretty much a place holder for the EP that does.

[BloodyScholastic]

I have a feeling EA would turn out to be something like this:

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4876/funnygifseveryonewassat.gif

Waffles = Weather EP

[gege_sml]

^ LOL totally see that coming, specially if they annouce Magic is next (for me is going to be a huge letdown)

the surveys we got and the leaked rain clothing category are the only things that keep me having a little spark of hope

[Ive]

I thought magic was confirmed?

[cameranutz2]

I thought magic was confirmed?

Not officially. The next EP is still unknown. Everything to this point is speculation for magic and weather.

Hopefully once the 2 SPs are out EA will say something!

[Ive]

All these threads about EPs make me confused :(

[Arisuka]

I think that they are being extra-cautious with the information on the next EP to keep the focus on the Sweet Treats... Since it's being resisted quite a bit they are really trying to make desperately sure that "Really guys, it's so cool, you do need it!" Because the moment major information on Seasons or Magic would get leaked or released, the sift of interest would instantly fix on those, with the hype overshadowing the lukewarm interest towards Sweet Treats.

[kiwi_tea]

"lukewarm interest". Overstatement of the year. ;)

[MiniMimi]

"Lack of interest" would be more exact.

[levini]

Absolute repulsion would probably be a lot better :)

[jay_envy]

Idk, the idea of making an ice-cream parlor/gingerbread whore house, worked by prostitutes with cupcakes for boobs and cotton candy thongs, does sound incredibly enticing! I wouldn't shell out a cent for that shit though.

[matrix54]

I remember on the live chat, Jennifer, reluctantly mind you, said that we couldn't make parlors. I almost hit the floor in hysteria. It's a register - that's, literally, a few lines of code for cake and ice cream and cookies and shit - everything that exists in the base game - to appear in the register.

I really don't see what the issue is. I'd gladly go to ea, copy and paste some code, fill in some variables and stuff for an hour (if that) to get this stuff up and running. They say they don't often add gameplay to a stuff pack, but this is clearly more than a stuff pack, so is going the extra mile that bad? They may fool some of the lesser-game-savvy folk, but anyone who peeks around the gameplay package file will tell you it's nothing difficult.

[MiniMimi]

Shhhh, you silly! Don't give them that idea! We would be forced to buy that crappy SP >.<

[Arisuka]

I remember on the live chat, Jennifer, reluctantly mind you, said that we couldn't make parlors. I almost hit the floor in hysteria. It's a register - that's, literally, a few lines of code for cake and ice cream and cookies and shit - everything that exists in the base game - to appear in the register.

Yeah, but still the pack doesn't have really any actual pastry, candy or ice-cream products to sell (or eat)... It's mostly just weird random objects shaped like dessert. :wtf: I think I've seen a jar of candy there, but other than that... yeah.

If you want to make pastry bakeries in your game, check out Newone's blog. (http://one-billion-pixels.blogspot.com/2012/05/edible-pastry.html) It's filled with actually edible treats, and I believe they have figured out a way to sell them too.

[amaca]

I'd much prefer weather to magic! I'm so sorry all magic fans, but I have no use for magic in my game. :-( Enjoyed it in the sims medieval, but it just doesn't fit into my Sims 3 gameplay.

[bassoon_crazy]

I'd much prefer weather to magic! I'm so sorry all magic fans, but I have no use for magic in my game. :-( Enjoyed it in the sims medieval, but it just doesn't fit into my Sims 3 gameplay.

You are definitely not alone.

I wouldn't say that it doesn't fit into The Sims 3 gameplay, though. I'd just say that there is a huge difference between the type of features that Seasons and Magic add, and that difference makes it to where Seasons is something that should take precedence no matter what. It should be in the base-game to begin with, but money and everything. The very least they can do is get it out before four years after the release of the base game. :faceslap:

Magic is something that fits perfectly as an Expansion Pack. With that said, it has really peeved me how EA has done this. By the time Seasons is released it will be time for The Sims 4 and another four years of waiting for the return of Seasons. I am not doing that again.

Deep down I really want to believe that somehow EP7 will end up being Seasons. Or that they'll pull something weird like they did with the two Stuff Packs and release them both within a very close proximity of each other. Otherwise we'll literally be waiting a year for it.

[chyrun]

Maybe I am very naive, but I keep hoping to get both weather AND magic in EP7.

[purexevil666]

Maybe I am very naive, but I keep hoping to get both weather AND magic in EP7.
Hmm although it seems interesting, but two themes and gameplays at once? That seems very difficult for EA besides usually The Sims franchise sticks with one theme per EP or SP

[Ive]

God I want weather so much I just fired up TS2 to play some.

[matrix54]

Hmm although it seems interesting, but two themes and gameplays at once? That seems very difficult for EA besides usually The Sims franchise sticks with one theme per EP or SP

Late night did 4. In order of Dominance:

-Night Life
-Fame (Music + Acting)
-Apartments
-Class + Social Status

And handled them all poorly. But as a whole, it was a good EP... until showtime came out. :gjob:

I'm sure they could Do a weather EP and magic at the same time, but of course, they'd be sparse and not connected all that well, like Late Night.

[rian90]

The could connect the two and do it well, but they won't. If they released a pack that tied various magical creatures to the seasons then they might get away with it. I can think of numerous ways it might happen and be pretty cool. But this is EA...so better they do one thing at a time.

[Arisuka]

AND there's the matter of $$$. Having two separate EPs for the two of the most desired themes will bring in double the money. It's EA after all. :rolleyes:

[gege_sml]

The only thing I think that could happen was that they could announce the 2 EP together.. after the expectation that was built around both themes I think it wouldn't be really smart to piss one of the "teams" off

[applefeather2]

I've got a feeling Weather will be the last EP, and then they'll cut and run.

[crocobaura]

I remember on the live chat, Jennifer, reluctantly mind you, said that we couldn't make parlors. I almost hit the floor in hysteria. It's a register - that's, literally, a few lines of code for cake and ice cream and cookies and shit - everything that exists in the base game - to appear in the register.

I really don't see what the issue is. I'd gladly go to ea, copy and paste some code, fill in some variables and stuff for an hour (if that) to get this stuff up and running. They say they don't often add gameplay to a stuff pack, but this is clearly more than a stuff pack, so is going the extra mile that bad? They may fool some of the lesser-game-savvy folk, but anyone who peeks around the gameplay package file will tell you it's nothing difficult.

Maybe they will release such a register as a registration reward, to entice people to buy the candy pack.

[DigitalSympathies]

I have two hypotheses here.

KP, Diesel, Magic, Weather, done.

or

KP, Diesel, Weather, SP, Magic, SP, EP, done.

Let's not get our hopes up, though.

[jay_envy]

I'm a broke college student, living off boxes of oatmeal and tequila shots... EA needs to cool it, IMO.

[matrix54]

Maybe they will release such a register as a registration reward, to entice people to buy the candy pack.

They would have announced it already. It would, probably, make the sales higher for something that's so simple to do. If they can pass out washing machines and sandboxes like crazy, why not a registers? Registers aren't perfect, at all, but they make a decent substitute for real shopping. They wouldn't even have to make a new mesh. A quick recolor... some lines of code... I don't see the problem. Adding Rockabilly music to FLS took more effort than it would for a "treats" register. :wtf:

Hell, we still haven't gotten a new vibrating bed, diagonal tub or an electric guitar. Would that really put a hole in their plan? To make more money with minimal effort? Giving players a reason to buy something they'd hate otherwise for minimal effort?

[levini]

EA is too stupid and incompetent to actually make anything we the players want unless we all decided to shove money up their ass and they like our ideas. Honestly if EA actually listened to us, we would not have Shitty, broken to all fucking hell Store content Crap (Whoops I almost called it content.) And we would probably have the Expansion and stuff packs rather than a "ZMOG!!11Einz! KATY PERRY" Stuff Shit Pack . Also, I fear that if they listened (in this current state) We would get fucked over with a Shitty EP that damn near breaks everything CC wise, just like with Pets.

[expectnomercy23]

I don't think it's possible to have real working weather in the game. Some fake-rain maybe possible, but snow wouldn't. Cause it has to interact with every object, roof and whatever to cover it with a snow blanket. That requires a lot of work to do this, and maybe most people who play TS3 haven't a computer with enough power for such effects to work proper.

I think if it is possible the had included it with the base game.

[matrix54]

It's possible. Current team just isn't as dedicated as the old team was.

[Ive]

I've got a feeling Weather will be the last EP, and then they'll cut and run.

I can't wait that long :cry:

I've gone into a state now that I did after LN was out. Stopped playing and didn't start up again until Pets was out. I think this will probably be the case between now and weather.

If we don't get weather then EA can go **** themselves.

[bassoon_crazy]

I can't wait that long :cry:

I've gone into a state now that I did after LN was out. Stopped playing and didn't start up again until Pets was out. I think this will probably be the case between now and weather.

If we don't get weather then EA can go **** themselves.

I seriously doubt they won't release Seasons. The notion of it being impossible is fan speculation, and an SimGuru said a few months back that it is possible. So it's a false notion.

But... EA can go **** themselves anyway for holding off a feature that should have been in the base game for four plus years. When The Sims 4's base game doesn't have weather/seasons it will all start all over again. Meaning that we'll have Seasons again for a grand total of a few months to half a year, and then it will be gone again, relegated to come out another four years later. EA can go **** themselves already. Seasons is not the kind of feature they can pull this nonsense with.

[Arisuka]

I don't think it's possible to have real working weather in the game. Some fake-rain maybe possible, but snow wouldn't. Cause it has to interact with every object, roof and whatever to cover it with a snow blanket. That requires a lot of work to do this, and maybe most people who play TS3 haven't a computer with enough power for such effects to work proper.

It really isn't that hard to make happen! They just have to put the .ini-files in action combined together with the visual effects (which we already have hidden inside the game files). The snow coat shouldn't really be a problem either, since it's not like it would be fully rendered in the whole neighborhood all the time. Instead, it probably would react to camera movements like everything in TS3's open world is based on (things render based on how close or far the camera is, and since you can also customize the options, you probably could customize the weather/seasons visual options too).

But there is a good chance that all objects outdoors wouldn't be covered in snow... unless they make some sort of a universal code for all objects to cover in some sort of a same texture? I wonder how it was done in TS2 Seasons...

[Exx]

I don't care about the weather, I want magic!!! :D

[gege_sml]

I don't think it's possible to have real working weather in the game. Some fake-rain maybe possible, but snow wouldn't. Cause it has to interact with every object, roof and whatever to cover it with a snow blanket. That requires a lot of work to do this, and maybe most people who play TS3 haven't a computer with enough power for such effects to work proper.

I think if it is possible the had included it with the base game.

One of the SimGuru's already stated that weather is possible

I can't wait that long :cry:

I've gone into a state now that I did after LN was out. Stopped playing and didn't start up again until Pets was out. I think this will probably be the case between now and weather.

If we don't get weather then EA can go **** themselves.

IKR? If weather isn't out next I'll probably be done with Sims for a while

[Arisuka]

I don't care about the weather, I want magic!!! :D

Then you should head over to the magic thread instead of this one! :rolleyes:

Seriously though, it's not a matter of either or, but rather which one comes first. They are both themes with so much guaranteed money tied to them that I wouldn't worry about it.

[rian90]

When The Sims 4's base game doesn't have weather/seasons it will all start all over again. Meaning that we'll have Seasons again for a grand total of a few months to half a year, and then it will be gone again, relegated to come out another four years later. EA can go **** themselves already. Seasons is not the kind of feature they can pull this nonsense with.

Only if you stop playing Sims 3 when Sims 4 comes out. It is not like you can't play them both. I don't plan on buying Sims 4 this time until it has a bit more content. I enjoy Sims 3 but I didn't really didn't play it much until after Late Night when the clubs were added. Starting over again with nothing is not at all appealing to me. It does seem that a pack like Showtime would have been better as the last pack though...one that you play for a bit and see everything there is to see...so ready to move on. :)

[Nemiga]

I wonder when they announce new EP.But when the do,i really hope that will be seasons ep,cuz i havo no intension in magic or other shit.

[bassoon_crazy]

Only if you stop playing Sims 3 when Sims 4 comes out.

I still play The Sims 2 every once in a while, and even so I still feel cheated out by not having Seasons in The Sims 3.

I only kept on playing The Sims 2 because The Sims 3 took steps back in several areas. Like no open restaurants/stores. So it has not ever been completely satisfying for me. However, after I got TWallan's Mod I enjoyed The Sims 3 for what it is (or what it's supposed to be lol).

The thing is, I want a The Sims to be good from the start, one that will replace the last from the start. The Sims 2 did this for me. I couldn't look back at The Sims 1 after I first played The Sims 2, even though I had every EP for The Sims 1.

So, if The Sims 4 can not be that, I don't know if I even want to mess with it. Especially if they can't get Seasons out within the first few EP's. I already feel enough hate towards EA for their treatment of The Sims 3 (the lack of quality EP's and the horribly greedy store) that I am already at the point where I can just stop out of principle.

[rian90]

So, if The Sims 4 can not be that, I don't know if I even want to mess with it. Especially if they can't get Seasons out within the first few EP's. I already feel enough hate towards EA for their treatment of The Sims 3 (the lack of quality EP's and the horribly greedy store) that I am already at the point where I can just stop out of principle.

I agree with you. But I really don't expect a change in the way EA does business. They did quite well with Sims 3 sales-wise and there is no reason for them to change to a different model. My guess is Sims 4 will be the same or even worse.

[aGOLDENbox]

I guess I could get excited about registers if it allowed us to sell and purchase anything we flagged for sell. I would be a lot more excited if we could have open restaurants, that's something I've come to miss in this series.

[piggypeach]

All I want is suntans and sunburns. And sunscreen. I mean rain would probably get annoying over time, snow would be pretty fun, but it really is unrealistic how the sun doesn't affect them at all. Another thing I demand is nutritional value for foods. Like come on, you can't be telling me that autumn salad has the same fat, calories, and sugar as, say, a hot dog. Or a cheeseburger. I mean, come on, EA. That was a no-brainer...

[Will Galen]

I seriously doubt they won't release Seasons. The notion of it being impossible is fan speculation, and an SimGuru said a few months back that it is possible. So it's a false notion.

But... EA can go **** themselves anyway for holding off a feature that should have been in the base game for four plus years. When The Sims 4's base game doesn't have weather/seasons it will all start all over again. Meaning that we'll have Seasons again for a grand total of a few months to half a year, and then it will be gone again, relegated to come out another four years later. EA can go **** themselves already. Seasons is not the kind of feature they can pull this nonsense with.

I agree, and that's why I don't plan on buying Sims 4. The game just isn't complete for me without weather and I'm not going to wait years again until it is complete.

I plan to wait until they quit making stuff for Sims 3 and then get a lot of cc for it. That way I won't have to pay out more money, and I won't have to deal with updating my game every two or three months.

[Arisuka]

All I want is suntans and sunburns. And sunscreen.

I'd add boardwalks, sports (skateboarding, roller blade skating, surfing, basketball, football, volleyball... even one of these please!), swimming and maybe even boating to go with that (not to forget about the diving board!). :lol: It's just so unbelievably frustrating to have to stare at all those beaches in TS3 with nothing else to do on them but to grill hot dogs! I mean COME ON ALREADY!

[DigitalSympathies]

TS4 has been a huge issue on the other forum (or, rather, invite only IRC, but for sake of simplicity we call it a forum to keep its name a secret) I frequent. TS4 is supposed to be a pretty big deal according to the insider that hangs out with us on there. They want to cram as much stuff into the basegame as possible, but EA is getting in the way of them adding stuff as they want to hold off for future expansion packs (aka, what else is new). They want to keep it like the other games but at the same time keep current with the games and graphics out now. Rumour has it that there's a good chance that it'll be grittier, but again, don't lay too much on what I say, I'm speaking words from the mouth of somebody who knows somebody who works at EA.

[eskie227]

Rumour has it that there's a good chance that it'll be grittier, but again, don't lay too much on what I say, I'm speaking words from the mouth of somebody who knows somebody who works at EA.

Grittier?? Almost 5 years of advancement in OSs (64 bit is becoming the norm these days), CPUs, graphics chips, and lots more memory in even cheap boxes, and they hope to make it "grittier"?? If I want grittier, I can go play with the latest GTA, or, for those who remember it from 10 years ago, Max Payne. That had a nice, grittier feel to it a DECADE ago. :faceslap:

It sounds like EA wants TS4 to follow the same path as TS3; come out with some nicer eye candy to start us out with, then dole out features through EPs that are filled with unwanted content and features, just so we can get the one or two key game features we really want that they buried in their shovel-ware.

Trying to keep it OT, it looks like stormy days ahead for EA and the Sims community. Not the weather related forecast I was hoping for.

[DigitalSympathies]

Again, this is only base info. Word of mouth and what have you. Initial modelling started in March . . . but yeah, grittier. I guess all the cries of "TS3 IS TOO COLOURFUL!" were misinterpreted as, "Make a PC version of Heavy Rain without the plot." (Which I personally hold no opposition to, being a Heavy Rain/Quantic Dream fanatic. But still . . . I digress.) I personally wouldn't mind a neighbourhood with bad areas and where you can hear traffic and sirens at night . . . but then again, YMMV. I think that if they could include weather, routable cars (they're owners of many, many racing game franchises . . . Need for Speed, Shift 2, Burnout, NASCAR . . .) and the ability to select options for your 'hood like traffic flow/best routes, population caps, style of dress, income range, main employers, spending, crime level/type, which schools are which (kind of like Simcity 4 but, you know, better), it would be an instant sell for me. That and some more run-down furniture, and less focus on the rich. Could you see it being set 10 years AFTER Pleasantview? I could. It could ruin a lot of fanon stuff but I want to see how they all turned out. I want explanations.

[kiwi_tea]

FFS. All I want is a non-blinding palette, not The Sims meets GTA. And there BETTER be a better world tool, with support this time.

Anyhow, weather, huh? I really think it's the perfect time to introduce a proper farming mechanism because seasons + crops + livestock just makes perfect sense to me.

[expectnomercy23]

...would react to camera movements like everything in TS3's open world is based on (things render based on how close or far the camera is, and since you can also customize the options, you probably could customize the weather/seasons visual options too).

But there is a good chance that all objects outdoors wouldn't be covered in snow... unless they make some sort of a universal code for all objects to cover in some sort of a same texture? I wonder how it was done in TS2 Seasons...

Yes, I know the hidden effects, but why isn't it in the game at the current state if its simple like that? An "react to camera" is what I call a fake weather effect. And for real seasons they had to change nearly every plant in game, right?

[Ive]

FFS. All I want is a non-blinding palette, not The Sims meets GTA.
I personally don't think TS4 is going to be nowhere near that (no offence to DigitalSympathies).

Would they really do something like that and lose all the kids that play? Making it grittier wouldn't give enough new players that cover for the ones they would lose.

[Arisuka]

Yes, I know the hidden effects, but why isn't it in the game at the current state if its simple like that? An "react to camera" is what I call a fake weather effect. And for real seasons they had to change nearly every plant in game, right?

An "react to camera" is just the way that the whole game functions to make the open neighborhood work. : P The entire neighborhood is not fully rendered at any point, but the visuals focus on wherever the camera is focused on. Which makes sense, because you can't see the entire world all the time, so it would only make the whole world run very slowly if the whole thing would be at the peak of it's visuals constantly.
But that doesn't mean that in case of weather when you'd zoom out the world would look summery before the visuals loading! It would just mean lower rendering quality before being fully loaded, which again, is anyway the whole nutshell of how the open hood visuals work.

The plants wouldn't have to be anyhow drastically changed from scratch either. I talked about this in CAW forums, and somebody more experienced mentioned that EA uses some sort of a system for trees and plants which could be utilized to create a cycle for them change color. You see, the game handles trees and plants different from regular objects already, so EA would just need to do coding and tie stuff together.

The question that why have we been waiting for this to happen for what, 3 years now is a good question! Maybe it's just about the money, it's such a big guaranteed huge success theme for them...
-They have all the resources to make it happen
-There is evidence that they are/have been developing it since at least from AMB
-In WA already we started seeing different kinds of skies and lightings which create different aerial feels
-In LN we had an entire cycle worth of .ini-files which created a small weather pattern
-.ini-files have been given a (at the moment hidden) new weather-like cycle coding for moon phases (probably for Magic EP)

[DigitalSympathies]

I personally don't think TS4 is going to be nowhere near that (no offence to DigitalSympathies).

Would they really do something like that and lose all the kids that play? Making it grittier wouldn't give enough new players that cover for the ones they would lose.

No offense taken. By grittier I meant like, more serious . . . more SimCity, you know? No word on the graphics. IDK, maybe we were lost in translation here, gritty here doesn't mean grungier (like the style), it means to make something a bit more adult and more serious. Again, this isn't info that I personally got from the source, I just rely on a guy who knows people to give me the low-down on what's going on.

[Ive]

Yea, I did ponder a bit about the use of gritty :giggler:

I would welcome more serious. Taxes, illnesses, hard jobs, in depth relationships, good and bad neighbourhood areas, social circles, I could go on forever. But if they go that route I would also like to see them put the quirkiness of TS1/2 back into it and mix it with the current moodlets and happenings in TS3 now.

[eskie227]

No offense taken. By grittier I meant like, more serious . . . more SimCity, you know? No word on the graphics. IDK, maybe we were lost in translation here, gritty here doesn't mean grungier (like the style), it means to make something a bit more adult and more serious. Again, this isn't info that I personally got from the source, I just rely on a guy who knows people to give me the low-down on what's going on.

No offense meant by me either. When you said grittier, I assumed, apparently falsely, you were referring to a more urban, "mean streets" type of world. Which, if it's one of several worlds, wouldn't be bad. I would like that as a change of pace, but not as the primary style all the Sim worlds would be modeled after.

I would like to see a more "adult" game, with greater depth to daily life and relationships. I would, though, like to see this for all age groups, not just "adults". There's more to being a child than homework and playing tag. There's more occurring in a teenager's developing personality than mood swings. There's certainly more occurring in an infant than staring at the ceiling all its waking hours.

The problem, as I see it, is how to incorporate greater "depth", while still keeping the game "fun". While a true simulation would have me come home dead tired from work to read through a bunch of bills that came in the mail, along with a request for "clarification" on something from the IRS, I'm not sure I'd really enjoy firing that simulation up to "relax" with for a few gaming hours. While I'm certainly not an EA apologist, I will admit that it takes some serious creative effort to craft a game that bears a relationship to daily life, but is still fun and engaging to play. EA did get quite a few things right in TS3 (and a bunch of wrongs, I'm not forgiving those), otherwise we wouldn't all be playing with it for over 3 years now.

From what I divine from the hints being dropped about development, it does sound like there is some creative tension within the development team regarding the direction to take, and the reality of a corporate policy that seeks to maximize return on investment. That's actually a good thing. It forces those involved in making the decisions to really focus on what will truly appeal to players. Not necessarily ALL players ALL the time, but most of the players, most of the time.

EA has a great relief valve for those players who will no doubt want to take it beyond what many "mainstream" players may never even think of, the modding community. So long as they continue to provide access to the architecture, the game can grow in new directions. If they ever shut that door, well, it'll be game over for many.

As far as weather goes, I do hope they realize that it's the fun activities that are associated with seasonal weather changes that we're looking for, not improved graphical sky conditions and rain animations. Just staring out the window at the rain splashing in beautifully rendered puddles in a 3D world will get to be just as depressing as staring out the window at endless rain IRL (nothing against folks living in London or Seattle, but I just can't deal with the never ending rain while waiting for the one "perfect" day to appear).

[kiwi_tea]

What I want to see is an actual simulation in the town, rather than EA throwing us an arbitrary cycle of what might happen if they bothered to run a more thorough-going simulation of a town. It doesn't have to be a very complex one, it just has to be less fake and backwards than now. One of the things I've always liked about awesomemod SP is that it tries to wrangle TS3 a little more in this direction (although in the end I settle for NRaas's user-friendliness).

[Ive]

As far as weather goes, I do hope they realize that it's the fun activities that are associated with seasonal weather changes that we're looking for, not improved graphical sky conditions and rain animations. Just staring out the window at the rain splashing in beautifully rendered puddles in a 3D world will get to be just as depressing as staring out the window at endless rain IRL (nothing against folks living in London or Seattle, but I just can't deal with the never ending rain while waiting for the one "perfect" day to appear).

I disagree. No matter how fun the extra activities would be, I much rather have nice weather animations than a ton of activities associated with seasons, with no or very limited weather.

[BloodyScholastic]

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/3607/50341351.gif

'Sup guys.
Any new leak information about Weather EP yet?

*I need winter, seriously. I'm kinda tired water sliding on my own backyard in hot sunny days*

[bassoon_crazy]

As far as weather goes, I do hope they realize that it's the fun activities that are associated with seasonal weather changes that we're looking for, not improved graphical sky conditions and rain animations. Just staring out the window at the rain splashing in beautifully rendered puddles in a 3D world will get to be just as depressing as staring out the window at endless rain IRL (nothing against folks living in London or Seattle, but I just can't deal with the never ending rain while waiting for the one "perfect" day to appear).

Or how about we get both the amazing effects and attention to detail put into the seasons graphically AND the interactions and activities.

If EP7 really is Magic EA will have had four years to make Seasons. There is simply no excuse for anything less. But it's EA, we must remember that.

[eskie227]

Or how about we get both the amazing effects and attention to detail put into the seasons graphically AND the interactions and activities.

If EP7 really is Magic EA will have had four years to make Seasons. There is simply no excuse for anything less. But it's EA, we must remember that.

I stopped believing in Santa when I caught my parents wrapping Santa's presents to place under the tree. Yes, we must remember it's EA, so let's keep our expectations minimal reasonable.

[expectnomercy23]

The plants wouldn't have to be anyhow drastically changed from scratch either. I talked about this in CAW forums, and somebody more experienced mentioned that EA uses some sort of a system for trees and plants which could be utilized to create a cycle for them change color. You see, the game handles trees and plants different from regular objects already, so EA would just need to do coding and tie stuff together.

It would be looking strange for me to have the cherry blossom trees in autumn or winter.


The question that why have we been waiting for this to happen for what, 3 years now is a good question! Maybe it's just about the money, it's such a big guaranteed huge success theme for them...


Its exactly the point why I never would buy a Sims 4 game.

[gege_sml]

Not having weather just make me less motivated to play the game..yesterday for example, my sims went on trip to Starlight Shores (using the Nraas traveler, of course).. I went to the beach and well..that was NOTHING to do..I wanted to make them swim on the sea, lie under the sun, get sunburned etc etc :(...like you all said, it's been 3 years now since the launch of the game, that is no excuse for them not make weather already

[Arisuka]

It would be looking strange for me to have the cherry blossom trees in autumn or winter.

They had cherry blossom trees in TS2 too, and they sure didn't blossom in the winter. ;) Like I said, they have the know-how and resources to make it happen, and a lot of it has been done before in TS2. It's not such a far stretch to make it work in TS3. They are just blatantly holding it all back from us.

[gege_sml]

They had cherry blossom trees in TS2 too, and they sure didn't blossom in the winter. ;) Like I said, they have the know-how and resources to make it happen, and a lot of it has been done before in TS2. It's not such a far stretch to make it work in TS3. They are just blatantly holding it all back from us.

IKR? TBH I wouldn't mind EPs like Showtime and the Magic one if Weather had been out first..is just that feeling that something is desperately missing that's driving me crazy :blink: I just think they got the order wrong

[rian90]

I rather wonder if Sims 3 will make it four years. It almost feels like they have given up on Sims 3 and somehow thing Sims 4 will be better and bring in more money.

[gege_sml]

I rather wonder if Sims 3 will make it four years. It almost feels like they have given up on Sims 3 and somehow thing Sims 4 will be better and bring in more money.

IDK, I think it's gonna make it at least one more year.. I mean, they're already announcing Sim City a year before its release and we still haven't heard anything from Sims 4.. they may announce it next year, maybe?

I do hope Sims 4 is better though

[rian90]

IDK, I think it's gonna make it at least one more year.. I mean, they're already announcing Sim City a year before its release and we still haven't heard anything from Sims 4.. they may announce it next year, maybe?

I do hope Sims 4 is better though

I think a year is realistic, maybe 2 years. I don't think Sims 3 will be still be in production in 4 years, to be honest...unless EA decides to keep both Sims 3 and Sims 4 at the same time which is unlikely. Depends on how different they are I guess.

I really hope Sims 4 concentrates more on game play than super pretty graphics. While it is nice to look at the graphics in a game, and I do like do immerse myself in my games, without more game play, the pretty graphics just become tedious.

[bassoon_crazy]

I really hope Sims 4 concentrates more on game play than super pretty graphics. While it is nice to look at the graphics in a game, and I do like do immerse myself in my games, without more game play, the pretty graphics just become tedious.

Where did this 'four years' thing even come from? Who expects The Sims 3 to still be around four years from now? That would be pretty drastic considering the release patterns of The Sims 1, 2, and 3.

Anyway, I've never understood how The Sims 3 was all of that pretty of a game to begin with. It has some significant graphical upgrades from The Sims 2, but it also has some rather subpar graphics. Like the plants (have you seen some of those bushes and the 'flowers'?), the outdoor lighting on the Sims, and the quality and blur of outdoor textures

[rian90]

Where did this 'four years' thing even come from? Who expects The Sims 3 to still be around four years from now? That would be pretty drastic considering the release patterns of The Sims 1, 2, and 3.

I was responding to someone's comment above.

[Sirah81]

The thing is, TS3 EPs are such a hit and miss that it's not about "will they make Seasons" but more "will they make Seasons WELL or will it be another bare-minmum EP." I really don't believe in EA's enthusiastic "we love the game too, y'all!", even if it's a cute asian man saying it, not after ST and Katy Perry Pukefest (sorry, King).

[screechingvilnce45]

Lookie what I found...:D It's weather related you babies. [click] (http://www.thesimsstyle.net/2012/05/mais-pistas-para-um-pacote-de-expansao.html)

[Elphiron]

Y'know, every time I come on to this forum I feel like I'm the only person in the world that actually likes the sims 3. Yeah, EA are unethical with their standards but, you know, they are a giant company. Corporations like this find the biggest cash cows, milk them dry, then move on to the next, filling their pockets with money as they go, what's new? As far as I know most huge business giants are the same. I was blown away with the amount of stuff on the sims 3 base game, you can't deny that it's more than games 1 and 2. I mean, dynamic careers, cars, intuitive design (the inventory is a dream to use), apples falling of trees and ants swarming around picnic baskets!
If they do a weather expansion pack, I'm sure it'll be like the sims 2 seasons just a little bit better. I think it's very easy just to blame EA every time something is apparently missing from the game, but no one bothers to appreciate all the great things that came with it. Also, if you want to see a real glitchy game, play skyrim. Seriously, the sims 3 has nothing on that game, or it's forums, just full of people moaning that there's not enough content, and there's too many glitches. I'm sorry but content and glitches go hand in hand!

But despite all the moaning, I guarantee 90% of all you lovely people finish posting on here, load up the sims 3 and have a jolly good time :P

[Arisuka]

Elphiron I guess that the most frustrating aspect of it all is that so many of us can so very clearly see the possibilities and what's lacking, despite the game makers having the resources to make them work quite easily, but just don't do it. In the ways that TS3 has gone forwards, it has also gone backwards in other aspects, even though it wouldn't have been inevitable. And debating about TS3 being good or bad is a whole another subject that's handled in other threads, this is for discussing Weather and Seasons EP! ;)

Which leads me to say... DUDE, is that a tornado?! And look at those different forms of liquids! Oh yes, finally a new shred of information! This is awesome, we are very slowly getting closer...
But those moon phases are probably coming with a patch right after Magic EP, you know, for the werewolves.

[gege_sml]

Well unfortunately Magic is coming out first.. but I think we're gonna to hear something about Seasons soon besides all the leaks..they might pull out a Generations/Pets and release both trailers? IDK

[bassoon_crazy]

That's what we hope, but whether or not it will be a reality is yet to be seen.

The thing is that Generations was an lacking EP, and many could see that from the beginning. Leaking the Pets trailer alongside the Generations trailer was probably meant to be used more to distract fans from looking at Generations enough to realize "Hey, that's not really an Expansion Pack, that's a Stuff Pack!", because once they're in "OMG! PETS!!!" mode, they really won't look. lol

While I hate the idea of a Supernatural EP, it might not be lacking.

Either way, we are waiting another year. For something that should have been in the base game. For werewolves and zombies. :faceslap:

[lisfyre]

Y'know, every time I come on to this forum I feel like I'm the only person in the world that actually likes the sims 3. Yeah, EA are unethical with their standards but, you know, they are a giant company. Corporations like this find the biggest cash cows, milk them dry, then move on to the next, filling their pockets with money as they go, what's new? As far as I know most huge business giants are the same. I was blown away with the amount of stuff on the sims 3 base game, you can't deny that it's more than games 1 and 2. I mean, dynamic careers, cars, intuitive design (the inventory is a dream to use), apples falling of trees and ants swarming around picnic baskets!
If they do a weather expansion pack, I'm sure it'll be like the sims 2 seasons just a little bit better. I think it's very easy just to blame EA every time something is apparently missing from the game, but no one bothers to appreciate all the great things that came with it. Also, if you want to see a real glitchy game, play skyrim. Seriously, the sims 3 has nothing on that game, or it's forums, just full of people moaning that there's not enough content, and there's too many glitches. I'm sorry but content and glitches go hand in hand!

But despite all the moaning, I guarantee 90% of all you lovely people finish posting on here, load up the sims 3 and have a jolly good time :P

Well... a lot of us like the game it's the fact that EA didn't live up to our expectations coming out of Sims 2 that has disappointed a lot of us. I like my TS3 game and I play it unmodded with loads and loads of 3rd party CC :) I know the majority of players here won't play without Twallan or Pescado's mods in their game.

[kiwi_tea]

I play it unmodded
I hate to think how error'd up your save games are if you're including Overwatch and Errortrap! :blink:

[Shimrod101]

Lookie what I found...:D It's weather related you babies. [click] (http://www.thesimsstyle.net/2012/05/mais-pistas-para-um-pacote-de-expansao.html)

Those images are from the recent Content Patch which is mostly Spellbook stuff. I don't have the Spellbook myself, but if there are some fog sparklies twirling around when casting spells, or a levitate spell or elevate spell(?) and someone or thing twirls around, then that first image is a "motion" image used together with the fog or other image creating the cool sparklies effects. It is certainly not a "tornado" and certainly has nothing to do with any future EP.

The half-moon image shown there should also be from the spellbook, possibly someone who has the Spellbook has seen it.

[kiwi_tea]

The spellbook pukes out little half-moons alongside ghosts, I believe.

[brtaylor2000]

So have we got any proof that this will be the next ep or is it still just speculation?

[bassoon_crazy]

So have we got any proof that this will be the next ep or is it still just speculation?

It's not the next EP.

The next EP is "Supernatural". :rolleyes: :cry:

[gege_sml]

Hmm..it's almost like EA wants to be hated..they're turning the franchise into a game for 11 years old girls

[matrix54]

With the way fans complain, it's fitting. :p

[gege_sml]

With the way fans complain, it's fitting. :p
Oh, how mature of you

We complain for a reason

[matrix54]

A series of complaints is a series of complaints. My maturity has nothing to do with it.

[HarVee]

I'm speaking words from the mouth of somebody who knows somebody who works at EA.

Ah yes, the old "I know a guy who knows a guy who ... " routine.

I knew a guy who knows a guy who once knew a guy who knew the sister of a very important guy, who of which works for her uncle, who once killed a man using only his thumb. :heyhey:

[gege_sml]

A series of complaints is a series of complaints. My maturity has nothing to do with it.

really it's not even worth it..but first you make fun/anwser with sarcasm something I said that had nothing to do with you and then you want to act like you did nothing? Ok.

[matrix54]

You're taking relatively small and blowing it up beyond proportion. Apparently light-hearted humor is a foreign to you.

Alright, fine. Tell me what I did.

[gege_sml]

You're taking relatively small and blowing it up beyond proportion. Apparently light-hearted humor is a foreign to you.

Alright, fine. Tell me what I did.

Actually I thought it was quite funny, but since I was the one pointing it out it felt to me like I was one of the "complaining fans"

But fine. Lets go back to weather

[matrix54]

No... that wan't the situation at all. All of us complain - the joke being them interpreting us as whiny children because we aren't satisfied. Nothing to do with you personally lol

[gege_sml]

No... that wan't the situation at all. All of us complain - the joke being them interpreting us as whiny children because we aren't satisfied. Nothing to do with you personally lol

Oh ok :) sorry for the misunderstanding then

[TMBrandon]

Wait? What just happened there? ^

Anyways, I waited three and half years for pets, so I can wait four for Seasons.

Thanks again, EA, much dearly appreciated,
A true fan

[fraavio]

Wait? What just happened there? ^

Anyways, I waited three and half years for pets, so I can wait four for Seasons.

Thanks again, EA, much dearly appreciated,
A true fan

This, right here.

And drama, oh, the drama.

[DigitalSympathies]

Ah yes, the old "I know a guy who knows a guy who ... " routine.

I knew a guy who knows a guy who once knew a guy who knew the sister of a very important guy, who of which works for her uncle, who once killed a man using only his thumb. :heyhey:

Routine? Huh? :blink:

[eskie227]

Ah yes, the old "I know a guy who knows a guy who ... " routine.

I knew a guy who knows a guy who once knew a guy who knew the sister of a very important guy, who of which works for her uncle, who once killed a man using only his thumb. :heyhey:

Wait, I think I dated the sister, because I met the guy who showed me the thumb he used to kill the guy with. As Chuck couldn't join us for that dinner, I decided not to mess with that thumb alone.

[TMBrandon]

Wait, I think I dated the sister, because I met the guy who showed me the thumb he used to kill the guy with. As Chuck couldn't join us for that dinner, I decided not to mess with that thumb alone.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/002/144/fry.jpg

[DigitalSympathies]

Okay, so it was finally explained to me . . . if you choose to take my words as a grain of salt, I'm fine with that. :) It's just babble from IRC, and I'm just passing it along. Just creating discussion, no? I don't even think that half of what I said will turn out to have any merit, as games develop in many different ways. Right now I'm actually preoccupied with shunning the abomination that is SimCity Social.

[matrix54]

Shun away. We know it will play similar to Sim City, with the added feature of begging your friends with something trivial to build a building.

[DigitalSympathies]

I don't even HAVE Facebook . . . why couldn't they at least make it standalone so that I could try it for five seconds and THEN hate on it? Now I have to hate on it from the outside. /sighs

Oh, the life of an antisocial PC gamer.

But back on topic, let's discuss those images posted a bit back about snowflakes and shit. Is it just me . . . or do the snowflakes not look like actual snowflakes? :wtf:

[matrix54]

There was talk of snowflakes? D:

[HarVee]

Routine? Huh? :blink:

It's a routine because every forum I've read before has always had the few people who claim such nonsense and can't seem to provide any solid evidence that they know such things and/or such people.

Not targeted towards you personally of course.

[DigitalSympathies]

It's a routine because every forum I've read before has always had the few people who claim such nonsense and can't seem to provide any solid evidence that they know such things and/or such people.

Not targeted towards you personally of course.

Well, how the hell is hearsay proven exactly? Waiting it out? I'm not taking offense, just questioning your reasoning.

[Ive]

It's not unknown, especially in the sims community, that most things that are rumoured about is eventually proved true or confirmed by EA.

This is one of the biggest sims forums, of course someone is bound to know a person who is working with x/y/z.

[gege_sml]

There was talk of snowflakes? D:

there was a link to a blog that found some weather effects in the files some pages ago but someone already said that they were from the spellbook :(

[matrix54]

There are weather effects on the game. Maybe not new ones, but they exist.

[Arisuka]

There are weather effects on the game. Maybe not new ones, but they exist.

Sigh, I've said this same thing in this very same thread for so many times. There have been hidden weather effects in the game files since AMB was released. These can be found through the fog emitter tool, which can be used to access ALL of the game's visual effects. Those visual effects are
-light and heavy daytime and night time rain
-light and heavy daytime and night time snow
-incoming storm windy sound effect
-different clouds
-HUGE lightnings, small lightnings

and don't forget that WA had heatwaves too, and AMB had tornadoes and earthquakes occurring in the high levels of the firefighter profession! I would've made a youtube video of these a long time ago, but it would probably be just taken down swiftly, it's EA after all. :/ But here are some screenshots I just took in my CAW (you can find every single one of the game's visual effects through the unlocked version of CAW)
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35745_120605192458RainHeavy.jpg
http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35746_120605192548SnowheavyDaytime.jpg
This is tornado from AMB http://www.modyourpanties.com/hosting/35747_120605193114AMBTornado.jpg

[DigitalSympathies]

I don't think EA would take down the video, I've seen about 20 similar ones with no contests against them.

[SmexySims2]

Give me tornados, please god give me tornados! I want to be a storm chaser in real life, and it would be fun to do that in the sims3.

Sims3 stormchasing could be a new job/skill.

Awwwww yeeeeaaahhh :heyhey:

[matrix54]

Ohh! Take a car and drive around town, filming random extreme weather, getting samples of water and air, watching the weather channel, doing research on the computer...

potentially dying via tornado...

Sound fun. ^_^

[Arisuka]

I remember the survey with weather and seasons themes having something about a new job, something related to researching the weather. Hopefully it wouldn't be a rabbithole job but a interactive profession!

[matrix54]

We do have a weather "job" already. It's a part of journalism. It very insignificant, but it's there. Something interactive would be lovely. Environmental careers in general, becase we all know seasons is going to be bare bones outside of weather and a few activities. I wouldn't mind Oceanography if we ever go to to swim in the ocean. It'd be decent interactivity.

[SmexySims2]

I remember the survey with weather and seasons themes having something about a new job, something related to researching the weather. Hopefully it wouldn't be a rabbithole job but a interactive profession!

Omg, I hope so! It would be a pointless job if it was a rabbithole, unless it is like the journalist profession where you do things outside of your job. Like interviewing people and writing reports on them. Instead it could be stuff like:

:| Logic
:| Athletic (Lots of running away!)
:| Teammates
:| Tornadoes caught on camera (using the camera from Generations or WA)

They are the neutral faces cus they are the only ones that match the game, in case you were wondering :P