Scuba Diving Adventure GP - Detailed idea
So, I have been vocal about feeling that Island Living disappointed me. I have long dreamed of a stunning underwater world in TS4, since its graphics is just perfect for magical, fantasy scenery, and what is more mystical than the ocean?
I posted a detailed idea for a Tiki Island Paradise EP a few years ago, but since IL is the EP we got, a GP that focuses on scuba diving adventures seems like the right way to go. Like how JA focuses on adventures in the jungle, this pack would have unlockable diving lots to explore, hidden lots and secrets to be found.
World
The world itself could be Tiki themed, with ancient tribal folklore and artifacts. Since the majority of the world is underwater, the overworld would be relatively small - maybe three rental lots and two beaches. This would probably be a destination world.
EDIT: Yeah, scrap the Tiki theme. Go down to my comment explaining a Cape Town overworld theme! Way more exciting :smiley:
https://i.imgur.com/kvLlv8x.jpg
Diving spots
There could be five diving spots, each with a specific style. Each diving spot could act as its own neighbourhood, with a small lot and an expanse of public space. The spots should be big enough to be worth exploring, and not shy of heavy decoration when appropriate. Most of the diving spots would be locked, forcing sims to level up their diving skill and complete challenges to unlock new ones.
Shallow reef
https://i.imgur.com/EvOvpVi.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/bZUC0bF.jpg
Akin to TS3 diving spots, this spot would be a calming and relatively open. There could be a shallower area with a small reef, and more rocky areas as you go deeper. The sea life here could include star fishes, small stingrays, tropical fish and cute leopard sharks, as well as some shellfish. Collectables here are common, and you won't find any treasure chests etc. This lot is immediately available.
Yellow kelp forest
https://i.imgur.com/aXKJ0j1.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XtIqjNB.jpg
This spot is deeper than the shallow reef and is thick with long, gently waving kelp in various shades of yellow and brown. This has a more mysterious atmosphere to it, and occasionally tense since your sim can't always see what's lurking behind the kelp. It would be interesting if the water colour is reminiscent of blackwater. Sea life here includes bigger fishes that swim around lazily, lobsters and red crabs dwelling at the bottom, and a chance of a dangerous shark or barracuda appearing. Collectables here range from common to uncommon. You might find some valuables here, but mostly smaller trinkets. This lot could be unlocked at level 3 scuba diving (out of 10 levels).
Spooky green shipwreck cove
https://i.imgur.com/CCg7kjk.pnghttps://i.imgur.com/UKzRjhk.jpg
This spot is strewn with shattered pieces of multiple shipwrecks. Slimy green seaweed seems to grasp at passing divers, the water is murky green and ugly fish dwell through the haze and in dark corners. They say this spot is cursed, and the ghosts of the lost souls who die at sea wonder here at night. Sea life could include angler fish, sword fish, generally any ugly fish and dangerous sharks. There is a good chance of being attacked if your sim dives here, and if they aren't careful, they might join the ghosts who dwell here as well. Collectables here are often valuable, and sims may find treasure chests in the wreckages. They can explore inside the ships, sometimes having to figure out a puzzle or two (ex: finding hidden treasure vaults through hidden doors, getting past guard sharks etc). This lot could be unlocked at level 5 skill, after finding out about it from a local sim telling folkstales.
Mysterious deep sea caves
https://i.imgur.com/IQBmCvM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tyWNMW7.jpg
This spot should capture the mystery, spookiness and awe of the unexplored depths. The water is royal blue and fades into navy blue at the edges. This spot consists largely of a network of eroded caves. Sea life could include schools of tiny silver fish, little blue crabs and oysters that have a chance of containing shiny pearls. There isn't much life here, but that lends it a quiet, beautiful eeriness. There may be silhouettes of whales in the background - if a sim sees a whale, you can click on the silhouette and "speak whale." The only real danger here, is going too deep into the caves with too little air and thus drowning before you can get out.This diving spot is the portal to the hidden lot, and your sim will have to solve a few puzzles and find parts from various diving spots to put together and use as a key. This diving spot could be unlocked at level 4, but you can only successfully find the hidden lot at a minimum of level 7 or 8 because of the requirements to unlock the portal.
The Hidden Lot
The hidden lot could either be Atlantis or a Tiki Temple. I think Atlantis would be more interesting, but the lot could maybe combine the two by making Atlantis a Tiki temple that is mostly underwater but also leads out of the water into an air bubble. There could be interesting things to find in the hidden lot, as well as a magical item that gives you some control over sea life (mermaid-like powers, but more powerful).
Barbie Mermadia-themed spot
https://i.imgur.com/H2wevUE.png
https://i.imgur.com/nZqQ9Rs.jpg
This would be a very girly but very beautiful spot, adorned with massive and plush pink, purple, blue and orange anemones, sponges, corals etc. It is essentially a fantasy reef. The water would be sparkling sapphire. Sea life could include beautiful, colourful fish, turtles and maybe a dolphin or two. Collectables here could be rare, since it is a magical place. This lot would ideally be unlocked through befriending a mermaid, but since that would rely on having IL, it would have to be unlocked through a different means. It should be unlocked with effort, and not simply through leveling up in diving skill. Possibly finding a special map, befriending a local and asking said local about the "missing pieces" that your sim doesn't understand because of a lack of folklore knowledge.
Mermaids
If you have IL, mermaids get added functionality in this pack. Mermaids will spawn in the Mermadia diving spot, thus making it a very nice hangout for them. Generally, mermaids will absolutely love diving and start out with the skill maxed. They need no gear, can be underwater indefinitely, have special interactions with sea life, can eat raw kelp etc. Mermaids can socialize underwater as if they are on land, thus making it super easy for them to hang out at diving spots together just as well as at a bar. They have some special interactions with each other underwater and are able to survive there indefinitely, thus allowing us to pretend that they live there.
Normal sims diving
Sims need diving gear, which they can purchase at a stall on the island. More expensive gear have perks, but only up until a point (determined by your diving skill). Sims can also buy underwater cameras and take beautiful pictures, including selfies. If the camera's flash goes off, it may spook the fish, which have several possible outcomes. Fish may flee from you, attack you (specie-dependent and much more likely in creepy spots and at night) or be curious and approach you, for example. Sims can interact with sea life, catch them and possibly be attacked by them, possibly fatally (sharks). Sims can collect various things underwater, and solve the puzzles mentioned earlier. Clicking on a sim brings interactions such as: swim around, explore and admire surroundings. Sims can socialize underwater, but with some limitations, and socializing uses air more quickly. Sims can dive in groups.
Collectables
New fish, shellfish and sea creatures such as anemones. Shells, messages in bottles, treasure chests, artifacts.
Gameplay that is applicable to the rest of the game, even when not having a scuba vacation
I posted a detailed idea for a Tiki Island Paradise EP a few years ago, but since IL is the EP we got, a GP that focuses on scuba diving adventures seems like the right way to go. Like how JA focuses on adventures in the jungle, this pack would have unlockable diving lots to explore, hidden lots and secrets to be found.
World
The world itself could be Tiki themed, with ancient tribal folklore and artifacts. Since the majority of the world is underwater, the overworld would be relatively small - maybe three rental lots and two beaches. This would probably be a destination world.
EDIT: Yeah, scrap the Tiki theme. Go down to my comment explaining a Cape Town overworld theme! Way more exciting :smiley:
https://i.imgur.com/kvLlv8x.jpg
Diving spots
There could be five diving spots, each with a specific style. Each diving spot could act as its own neighbourhood, with a small lot and an expanse of public space. The spots should be big enough to be worth exploring, and not shy of heavy decoration when appropriate. Most of the diving spots would be locked, forcing sims to level up their diving skill and complete challenges to unlock new ones.
Shallow reef
https://i.imgur.com/EvOvpVi.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/bZUC0bF.jpg
Akin to TS3 diving spots, this spot would be a calming and relatively open. There could be a shallower area with a small reef, and more rocky areas as you go deeper. The sea life here could include star fishes, small stingrays, tropical fish and cute leopard sharks, as well as some shellfish. Collectables here are common, and you won't find any treasure chests etc. This lot is immediately available.
Yellow kelp forest
https://i.imgur.com/aXKJ0j1.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XtIqjNB.jpgThis spot is deeper than the shallow reef and is thick with long, gently waving kelp in various shades of yellow and brown. This has a more mysterious atmosphere to it, and occasionally tense since your sim can't always see what's lurking behind the kelp. It would be interesting if the water colour is reminiscent of blackwater. Sea life here includes bigger fishes that swim around lazily, lobsters and red crabs dwelling at the bottom, and a chance of a dangerous shark or barracuda appearing. Collectables here range from common to uncommon. You might find some valuables here, but mostly smaller trinkets. This lot could be unlocked at level 3 scuba diving (out of 10 levels).
Spooky green shipwreck cove
https://i.imgur.com/CCg7kjk.pnghttps://i.imgur.com/UKzRjhk.jpg
This spot is strewn with shattered pieces of multiple shipwrecks. Slimy green seaweed seems to grasp at passing divers, the water is murky green and ugly fish dwell through the haze and in dark corners. They say this spot is cursed, and the ghosts of the lost souls who die at sea wonder here at night. Sea life could include angler fish, sword fish, generally any ugly fish and dangerous sharks. There is a good chance of being attacked if your sim dives here, and if they aren't careful, they might join the ghosts who dwell here as well. Collectables here are often valuable, and sims may find treasure chests in the wreckages. They can explore inside the ships, sometimes having to figure out a puzzle or two (ex: finding hidden treasure vaults through hidden doors, getting past guard sharks etc). This lot could be unlocked at level 5 skill, after finding out about it from a local sim telling folkstales.
Mysterious deep sea caves
https://i.imgur.com/IQBmCvM.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tyWNMW7.jpgThis spot should capture the mystery, spookiness and awe of the unexplored depths. The water is royal blue and fades into navy blue at the edges. This spot consists largely of a network of eroded caves. Sea life could include schools of tiny silver fish, little blue crabs and oysters that have a chance of containing shiny pearls. There isn't much life here, but that lends it a quiet, beautiful eeriness. There may be silhouettes of whales in the background - if a sim sees a whale, you can click on the silhouette and "speak whale." The only real danger here, is going too deep into the caves with too little air and thus drowning before you can get out.This diving spot is the portal to the hidden lot, and your sim will have to solve a few puzzles and find parts from various diving spots to put together and use as a key. This diving spot could be unlocked at level 4, but you can only successfully find the hidden lot at a minimum of level 7 or 8 because of the requirements to unlock the portal.
The Hidden Lot
The hidden lot could either be Atlantis or a Tiki Temple. I think Atlantis would be more interesting, but the lot could maybe combine the two by making Atlantis a Tiki temple that is mostly underwater but also leads out of the water into an air bubble. There could be interesting things to find in the hidden lot, as well as a magical item that gives you some control over sea life (mermaid-like powers, but more powerful).
Barbie Mermadia-themed spot
https://i.imgur.com/H2wevUE.png
https://i.imgur.com/nZqQ9Rs.jpgThis would be a very girly but very beautiful spot, adorned with massive and plush pink, purple, blue and orange anemones, sponges, corals etc. It is essentially a fantasy reef. The water would be sparkling sapphire. Sea life could include beautiful, colourful fish, turtles and maybe a dolphin or two. Collectables here could be rare, since it is a magical place. This lot would ideally be unlocked through befriending a mermaid, but since that would rely on having IL, it would have to be unlocked through a different means. It should be unlocked with effort, and not simply through leveling up in diving skill. Possibly finding a special map, befriending a local and asking said local about the "missing pieces" that your sim doesn't understand because of a lack of folklore knowledge.
"suzyl3;c-17046944" wrote:
@NoirSims drew some concept photos for the dive lots!
https://i.imgur.com/KRP607T.png
Mermaids
If you have IL, mermaids get added functionality in this pack. Mermaids will spawn in the Mermadia diving spot, thus making it a very nice hangout for them. Generally, mermaids will absolutely love diving and start out with the skill maxed. They need no gear, can be underwater indefinitely, have special interactions with sea life, can eat raw kelp etc. Mermaids can socialize underwater as if they are on land, thus making it super easy for them to hang out at diving spots together just as well as at a bar. They have some special interactions with each other underwater and are able to survive there indefinitely, thus allowing us to pretend that they live there.
Normal sims diving
Sims need diving gear, which they can purchase at a stall on the island. More expensive gear have perks, but only up until a point (determined by your diving skill). Sims can also buy underwater cameras and take beautiful pictures, including selfies. If the camera's flash goes off, it may spook the fish, which have several possible outcomes. Fish may flee from you, attack you (specie-dependent and much more likely in creepy spots and at night) or be curious and approach you, for example. Sims can interact with sea life, catch them and possibly be attacked by them, possibly fatally (sharks). Sims can collect various things underwater, and solve the puzzles mentioned earlier. Clicking on a sim brings interactions such as: swim around, explore and admire surroundings. Sims can socialize underwater, but with some limitations, and socializing uses air more quickly. Sims can dive in groups.
Collectables
New fish, shellfish and sea creatures such as anemones. Shells, messages in bottles, treasure chests, artifacts.
Gameplay that is applicable to the rest of the game, even when not having a scuba vacation
- Fish can be released into pools now, thus making custom aquariums that aren't limited to small boxes and bowls. To turn a pool into an aquarium, choose one of the new "water paints" that clearly states that the water is "fish habitat water," specially manufactured to give your sim's fish the best life they can have. The fish will swim around in the water, and you can swim with them if the pool is big enough. There is a limit to how much fish can be stocked into a pool, depending on how big the pool is (something along the lines of each 1x1 block being able to house 3 fish etc). Special pool wall and floor textures like 3D rock, sand etc can be added to the aquariums to make them look more natural. There are also nice objects to decorate your aquarium, including rocks, coral, kelp and decorative treasure chests.
- Sims can practice scuba diving in pools, talk about marine facts, advocate protection of reefs and sharks and watch the Ocean TV Channel (many get excited about Shark Night).
- Sims can make jewelry (bracelets, necklaces and anklets) from shells and pearls. They can be gifted, sold and proudly worn.
- Underwater cameras can be used in pools, in Sulani and in general.
- Cool octupus paintings make everything better.
https://i.imgur.com/Ggljc2W.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/7mHGScB.jpg
