Empathy

The Emotions system would be considerably strengthened if Sims' emotions had a lot more impact on each other. Right now, Emotions are mostly contained within one Sim, having little effect on the other Sims around them. Human emotions are much more contagious and interactive than the current system gives them credit for. Introducing Empathy into the Sims 4 would help to alleviate this drawback.

New Interactions
* Ask what’s wrong (for Sad, Uncomfortable, Embarrassed, Angry, Dazed, Tense - give specific responses based on the dominant moodlet)
Follow ups:
* Reassure (for an Embarrassed Sim)
* Mock
* Calm Down (already exists, but would be more effective if a Sim had first been informed of the reason for the bad mood)

* Ask what’s up (hear about a dominant moodlet, e.g. "I'm on edge because I haven't been promoted" or "I'm so excited I had a baby")
Follow ups:
* Affirm (for a Confident, Happy, Energised, Inspired, or Focused Sim)
* Reassure, Mock, Calm Down (as appropriate)

* Commiserate: Two Sims in bad moods can commiserate with a chance of providing a "Not Alone" happy moodlet, especially if they were both in the same mood. Also has a chance of providing a negative moodlet that enhances their current bad mood, such as "Feeling Worse".

Sims might have a different reaction to expression of a moodlet based on their Traits. For example, if a non-committal Sim complains about the "Feeling Smothered" moodlet, a Jealous or Family-Oriented Sim would be unsympathetic compared to another non-committal Sim. A Sim's willingness to answer these questions would depend on their Traits and relationship level with the other Sim.

New Trait: Empathetic
* Gains moodlets that correspond to another Sim’s emotion after inquiring about that emotion, whether positive or negative
* Has a better chance of successfully calming down an Angry Sim
* Has a better chance of successfully comforting a Sad Sim
* Can get an “Overwhelmed” moodlet after conversations with upset Sims, which can be decreased by Meditation (if Spa Day is installed) or by increasing the Fun need
* Gains Wellness skill more quickly (if Spa Day is installed)
* Has stronger or longer-lasting moodlets for major life events, whether happy or sad
* Gains moodlets corresponding to major life events of Sims with whom they have a high relationship, e.g. happy for a sister's wedding

Additions to existing Traits
* Cheerful: Can "Spread the Cheer" to other Sims, which will have varying effects based on another Sim's mood and Traits. More successful at consoling Sims.
* Gloomy: "Sharing Melancholy Thoughts" tweaked to result in different interactions depending on the prevailing mood of the other Sim.
* Goofball: "Encourage Mischief" interaction can attempt to put other Sims in a playful mood, with varying results depending on Traits, Mischief skill, and mood.
* Outgoing: More successful at spreading their own moods to other Sims. Will answer the "Ask what's up" and "Ask what's wrong" questions even if they don't have a high relationship with the other Sim.
* Loner: Less likely to answer the "Ask what's up" and "Ask what's wrong" questions unless they have a high relationship with a Sim.
* Evil: After hearing about another Sim's negative moodlet, gets a "Schadenfreude" Happy or Playful moodlet. Can also get a "Grating" moodlet when hearing about another Sim's positive moodlets.

What do you guys think? I also think Empathy could work as a 5-point skill rather than a Trait. Share your ideas for other ways Empathy could be implemented into TS4 in the comments. :)