Ideas to make vehicles more relevant in a closed world.
To me, cars are an integral part of life. They also have greater meaning and purpose than getting from point A to B. In TS2 and TS3, I have always used vehicles as a reflection of a Sim's personality and social status. So, I was thinking, couldn't this idea be taken out of the realm of imagination and transformed into concrete game play for TS4?
For example, if your Sim is interested in another Sim who has the Materialistic trait, will that Sim be caught dead getting into your Sim's old beat up hooptie? Or, will the hopeful suitor have to borrow someone else's car in order to make the best first impression?
If your Sim gets out of the car at the club or the store, depending on their traits and age group, other Sims could make fun of or admire the car that your Sim rolls up in. Your Sims reaction to that feedback could depend on their traits. A well-balanced, mature Sim would brush off negative remarks. Immature, materialistic, or hot-headed Sims might become angry or embarrassed. Then, a pressing whim would appear, encouraging them to buy a better car.
Along the lines of being embarrassed or proud of their car: Sims could go through actions to highlight their arrival such as "Make an entrance". Or, tone it down with, "Get there early and park a few blocks away". (The Sim leaves home and returns home in their car. However, they arrive and leave the venue on foot.)
Sims with a type of Born to be Wild trait will want to purchase a motorcycle or a hopped up muscle car. They could also get lots of speeding tickets in the mail. A collector would want to drive a lovingly renovated classic car that they only take out of the garage when the weather is fair. A family type Sim might favor a family van or a larger SUV. A frugal Sim could have a car plastered with ads. Teen Sims could ask to drive Mom or Dad's car. Or they can "borrow" the keys, knowing that they'll be grounded when they get home. (But the night out would have been worth it! LOL.) Kids can sit behind the wheel and pretend to drive while Mom/Dad washes the car (keys safely stashed in their pockets). Business owners could own a van or a pick up with the logo of their business. (Another use for all of those game stickers?)
An eco-friendly Sim might prefer a bike. Bonus points if the bike generates electricity that can be used to charge a phone, or power its own lights. Whenever a particularly large gas-guzzler passes by, those Sims will shake their heads in disapproval. High-fives and "Way to go, neighbor" would be for Sims who are also riding bikes, walking, or driving an electric car.
Famous Sims or Sims who've accomplished the filthy rich type aspirations would automatically get the option to purchase a fancy town car or limousine, along with a uniformed driver. (I would suggest increasing the requirements to meet those aspirations or every Sim might eventually end up riding around in a chaufer-driven car.)
A hot-headed car enthusiast could get really annoyed if he comes out of a venue and finds kids/teens touching his or her car. A more friendly type would open the doors and give the kids a good look around the interior. :smiley:
These are just a few ideas that suddenly occurred to me. If they aren't completely well thought out, I apologize. I'm about to leave the house and I wanted to get this down before I forgot about it. :)
Anyway, I just wanted to put it out there that an open world doesn't have to be a requirement to make vehicles interesting and consequential.
For example, if your Sim is interested in another Sim who has the Materialistic trait, will that Sim be caught dead getting into your Sim's old beat up hooptie? Or, will the hopeful suitor have to borrow someone else's car in order to make the best first impression?
If your Sim gets out of the car at the club or the store, depending on their traits and age group, other Sims could make fun of or admire the car that your Sim rolls up in. Your Sims reaction to that feedback could depend on their traits. A well-balanced, mature Sim would brush off negative remarks. Immature, materialistic, or hot-headed Sims might become angry or embarrassed. Then, a pressing whim would appear, encouraging them to buy a better car.
Along the lines of being embarrassed or proud of their car: Sims could go through actions to highlight their arrival such as "Make an entrance". Or, tone it down with, "Get there early and park a few blocks away". (The Sim leaves home and returns home in their car. However, they arrive and leave the venue on foot.)
Sims with a type of Born to be Wild trait will want to purchase a motorcycle or a hopped up muscle car. They could also get lots of speeding tickets in the mail. A collector would want to drive a lovingly renovated classic car that they only take out of the garage when the weather is fair. A family type Sim might favor a family van or a larger SUV. A frugal Sim could have a car plastered with ads. Teen Sims could ask to drive Mom or Dad's car. Or they can "borrow" the keys, knowing that they'll be grounded when they get home. (But the night out would have been worth it! LOL.) Kids can sit behind the wheel and pretend to drive while Mom/Dad washes the car (keys safely stashed in their pockets). Business owners could own a van or a pick up with the logo of their business. (Another use for all of those game stickers?)
An eco-friendly Sim might prefer a bike. Bonus points if the bike generates electricity that can be used to charge a phone, or power its own lights. Whenever a particularly large gas-guzzler passes by, those Sims will shake their heads in disapproval. High-fives and "Way to go, neighbor" would be for Sims who are also riding bikes, walking, or driving an electric car.
Famous Sims or Sims who've accomplished the filthy rich type aspirations would automatically get the option to purchase a fancy town car or limousine, along with a uniformed driver. (I would suggest increasing the requirements to meet those aspirations or every Sim might eventually end up riding around in a chaufer-driven car.)
A hot-headed car enthusiast could get really annoyed if he comes out of a venue and finds kids/teens touching his or her car. A more friendly type would open the doors and give the kids a good look around the interior. :smiley:
These are just a few ideas that suddenly occurred to me. If they aren't completely well thought out, I apologize. I'm about to leave the house and I wanted to get this down before I forgot about it. :)
Anyway, I just wanted to put it out there that an open world doesn't have to be a requirement to make vehicles interesting and consequential.
