Trade Off - TS4 Game-play Challenge by EQCreations
Introduction: The Trade Off challenge borrows elements from other game-play challenges. It is a type of rotational challenge with members in the same household. It begins simply with two Sims that can only be controlled during assigned time frames. More on that later but first how about some background to get your creative storytelling juices flowing.
Backstory: The letter was handwritten on stationary embossed with a strange logo. The envelope has only your name and the logo with no return address. Thinking it is just junk mail you toss it in the bin but then take it back out again when you realize the writing was vaguely familiar. Was it from someone you knew? Just what kind of prank were they trying to pull? "You have been selected for a special project." Yea ... sure. Not going to fall for that trick. As you glance back down at the letter a phrase catches your attention "... and a vast fortune awaits when the assigned tasks are completed". Hmm this could be worth investigating even if it is a fake. "Just wait til I find out which of my friends sent this" you say thinking out loud. You decide it could be worth a good laugh and quickly make note of the address and arrange transportation.
Your story starts here: Who sent the letter? Was it an old friend or family member? Why was it sent to you ... for what purpose? There will be someone living on the same lot with you. Are you related, old colleagues or a previous romantic interest or perhaps an enemy from your past or a total stranger?
You know I really agree with @LegacySims2017 I like to tell stories in my games and play with aging off... but that means I miss a lot or don't try things if they don't fit in with the story. This type of challenge really made me play a little differently so I'm going to be revisiting it. Again thanks so much for making it @EuphorialQueen It's I think an excellent challenge for those that ... don't want to focus on one thing for too long. I'd like to try out ... especially jobs I never do with this challenge again.
@Faoiltearna Cool, I'll upload my Sims for this challenge when it's completed since the consensus seems to lean toward Sims with a few skills under their belt. I intended to upload their house too, but I forgot to save it in it's original state. o.O I guess I could recreate it since I have pics of what it looked like at the beginning? Hmm...I'll think about it.
@LegacySims2017 Percy & Oreo look like so much fun to play! I've had thoughts of hooking up Aubree and Zack too, but I think I'll wait until the challenge is completed. They're good friends right now and have flirted a bit, but no pink bar as of yet.
Even though I've only published one chapter of any kind of SimLit in the past, I understand what you mean about having fun just playing without the added stress of publishing a story for your gameplay. I think that's the very reason I never went any farther with mine. I love writing, telling stories, etc. But there's a lot of work and commitment involved.
I truly admire those that do regularly publish stories, I've decided it's just not for me. At least right now, I just want to have fun with my Sims. I might change my mind at some point. *shrugs* I do enjoy sharing a few screenshots though now and then. :)
@Hermitgirl Yay! Congratulations on finishing the challenge! Glad to hear you're thinking about doing it again. I am definitely going to do this again too, only make it a bit harder for them next time. It seems too easy with my current Sims with the fully equipped house and traits they were given.
In my challenge gameplay, Week Two has just finished and we're about to start Week Three in the first day of Fall. Here's Aubree and Zack's stats at the end of Week Two with Zack as the controlled Sim:
Zack
Level 5 in the Body Builder career, promoted to Personal Trainer. I'm regretting not taking the other promotion choice though since he now has to mentor Sims every day and the next week is Aubree's turn to be controlled. I'm wondering if I send Aubree to the gym and have Zack tag along if he'll autonomously start mentoring Sims there. Or maybe mentoring is an option for club members to do? I'll have to look into both of those things to see if they'll work or his career advancement is most likely just going to tank this week. *sigh*
He's 46% away from Level 10 in the Fitness skill which will fulfill his aspiration and also the one skill at Level 10 requirement for the challenge. He autonomously works out all the time though, so I see this happening easily even though he won't be controlled.
Other Skills: Charisma - 4, Cooking & Dancing - 3, Fishing & Video Gaming - 2, Comedy - 1
Aubree
Level 6 in the Painter career, promoted to Master of the Real. One masterpiece away from completing her aspiration. Skills: Painting - 10 (Yay!), Cooking - 3, Fishing - 2, Charisma, Fitness, Comedy & Writing - 1.
She painted 4 masterpieces while uncontrolled and several other paintings for a total value after all were sold of 15,065 simoleons! Go Aubree! It was so frustrating not being able to sell them because I went a bit overboard in remodeling their house and updating objects. They had a couple hundred after all was said and done left in household funds. Which normally wouldn't have been a big deal, except I forgot about the bills due on Monday which ended up being 702 simoleons. By that time they were down to only 20 simoleons too because Aubree kept using their funds to paint. o.O
I figured Zack would bring home enough to pay for the bills since he was due for a promotion. Or so I thought. I neglected to notice he needed to be at level 2 in charisma to get promoted. Gah! I sent them fishing though on the pier in Magnolia Promenade and they managed to fish up a couple cowberries, a dragonfruit and a few other valuable fish which was enough to pay the bills with a little leftover. Whew! lol
I put a few screenshots in the spoiler of different 'events' that happened during Week Two, one of which could've been deadly. :o
Here's Zack looking quite pleased with himself. Why?
https://i.imgur.com/sEGMrfp.png
Because I had to wake him up from sleeping to put out a fire that Aubree started when she tried to cook herself some lunch. She along with the stove, dishwasher, stove vent and a counter were going up in flames. I thought this was going to be the end of my challenge, but Zack saved the day! \0/ Where is Aubree now?
https://i.imgur.com/vqkGLSt.png
She ran outside in a panic AFTER he'd put her and the objects out. Silly girl. lol
https://i.imgur.com/PPxuFaT.png
I had Zack make a group meal of Garden Salad so perhaps Aubree wouldn't try to cook again before he went back to bed. (look at that six-pack he's got now! Hubba Hubba!)
https://i.imgur.com/ZCAeNAp.png
Meanwhile, Aubree came back inside and decided to take a bath, a bubble bath to be precise. Ever since I upgraded their showers for a tub/shower combo, she ALWAYS prefers taking a bath over a shower now.
https://i.imgur.com/9fUuxZX.png
One thing that bugs me, I don't know if it's a glitch or what, but every single time either one of them comes home from work while uncontrolled, they just stand around on the edge of the lot for at least an hour before going inside. Why? Aubree looks a bit angry too, but I know why. I got a pop-up while she was at work and I made the wrong choice so her performance took a medium loss hit. Sorry Aubree...
https://i.imgur.com/eS9SySt.png
After Zack was promoted to Personal Trainer with a daily work task of mentoring Sims, it just happened to be Sunday when I could control both of them. So, I unlocked Zack's door and had Aubree go over to his side to use the treadmill so he could mentor her. I have a feeling she's going to be the only Sim he gets to mentor until I can control him again, but we'll see...
https://i.imgur.com/H4VIFtx.png
Lastly, here's a couple screenshots of Zack in new work clothes. He looks so cute in the cheerleader outfit eh? And my jaw dropped when I saw his Personal Trainer outfit. Holy Simoly, he is SO ripped now! I hope he uses the treadmill more than the weight machine this week. lol
https://i.imgur.com/GObpooD.png
https://i.imgur.com/qvaJCcF.png
Happy Simming until next time! <3
EDIT: Added one more screenshot in the spoiler I forgot to include. Opps!
One thing that bugs me, I don't know if it's a glitch or what, but every single time either one of them comes home from work while uncontrolled, they just stand around on the edge of the lot for at least an hour before going inside. Why?
This is an open issue at AnswersHQ - I have this happen in every save no matter what I do. It is more obvious in this challenge. You may want to click the "Me Too" button or add comments on the thread. Sims don't enter house after work if no command given https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/OPEN-Sims-don-t-enter-house-after-work-if-no-command-given/m-p/6282164#M43427
Thanks for the link @EuphorialQueen I've added my "Me too' to it. And yes, I have this happen all the time as well. I usually just queue up something for my Sims to do inside before they get home from work to get around it. But of course, can't do that in this challenge. lol
I added my "Me too" as well. I don't think I've ever noticed it before this save, but then I generally control everyone when they first get home, so they don't have a chance to stand around on the edge of the lot. :expressionless:
I hit "me too" also. I would have never even noticed this though if I played my normal way lol. It doesn't bug me too much frankly. I usually call the other sim over or that's the time I had my played sim talk to them. Or I just let their dumb butt stand there while I took pictures and made fun of them. I think I'm easily amused ...
I did start adding romantic interactions between Oreo and Percy. These two are gonna make a cute couple. Oreo’s workout is getting him ripped now. Will have pics when I post week 3.
Are you going to continue to play your #TS4TradeOff households? What happens next one the primary goals are met? What kind if #ChallengeMashUp are you playing?
Hi, everyone. I've been following this thread and thoroughly enjoying all of your updates! Looks like you're having lots of fun. Thanks for sharing! :smile:
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