Trait-Specific Reactions and Healing Processes to Break-Ups and Divorces
Hi,
I just recently thought of this new set of features and figured I'd share the idea here to see if anyone else thinks it could be a nice addition to the game.
Before I describe my idea, I'd like to preface this post by stating a few things: I understand that there could be some flaws here and there with a feature like this, but maybe some of you here will be able to help fully flesh out the concept for it. Also, I am aware that not everyone may want a feature like the one I will describe as it could potentially cause complications with certain play styles and challenges, but hopefully, along with a potential feature like this, an LTR such as "Cold-Hearted" could be introduced to help those who would be annoyed by it. In addition, I'm not sure whether there's already an idea similar to this floating around in the threads, and I apologize if one already exists. This post will be very long as I've outlined my ideas quite extensively; if you read the whole thing, hat's off to you. :wink: Lastly, while I'm a big advocate for a return of reputations and more realistic reactions to break-ups, divorces, cheating, deaths, etc., in TS4, and I think this feature could go along seamlessly with a set of these features, I will only focus on the specific feature(s) I've thought of just recently so as not to make the topic too broad and similar to any other existing threads. :smile:
Now on to the idea for a new set of features...
As it stands now, after a break up or divorce, sims typically receive a +2 Sad, 10 hr long moodlet (+3 Sad, 10 hr long moodlet for Gloomy sims, and Non-Committal sims a happy moodlet; if there are other trait-based reactions, please feel free to mention those as well) which I've never felt really did much due to the stacking of other positive emotional moodlets that can frequently subdue the effect of it. While that's an entirely other matter on its own, I think it'd be nice if sims actually not only experienced the break-ups differently based on their traits and the way in which they broke up, but also actively and autonomously dealt with break-ups and divorces in different ways. As it is now, the typical Sad moodlet seems more "one size fits all" and is not intuitive to the sims' traits and circumstances surrounding their break-up or divorce. The reaction and "mending" period I propose should potentially do away with the existing Sad moodlet if the sim's traits and the way in which they ended things with their ex do not call for the sim to feel Sad. Here's an outline of what I think would be really cool to see, and if anyone else has more ideas, please share them! :smiley:
Two key factors should be considered when determining how the sim will react and "mend" during the time following their break-up or divorce:
1) their traits
2) the way in which they broke-up or divorced
1) For traits, not all will factor into determining how the sim reacts and "mends" after a break-up or divorce, as that would result in what I could imagine would be quite extensive coding and unstable, frequently changing emotions. The main traits that I feel make sense to have the most dominance in a sim's reaction are as follows, with their emotional reaction:
2) The circumstances surrounding the reason why sims broke-up or divorced should be a huge factor when it comes the sims' reactions to their break-ups and divorces. If a sim is cheated on, they will almost certainly be angry; if two sims break up while still in love, they will almost certainly be saddened unless they possess a trait that contradicts this, and so forth. Also, during their "mending" period (perhaps a couple sim days?), they will receive an additional Sad or Angry moodlet if they're around their ex at any point corresponding to their trait(s) and how the two broke-up. Additionally, they may frequently think of their ex and may have trait-related whims that indicate how they'd like to attempt to get over this event and their ex. For example, a Romantic sim may wish to go to a bar venue and flirt with a new sim, a Creative sim may wish to paint, write, sing, etc., a Glutton sim may wish to eat more than usual, and so on and so forth.
And...that's about all for my ideas. What are your thoughts?
I just recently thought of this new set of features and figured I'd share the idea here to see if anyone else thinks it could be a nice addition to the game.
Before I describe my idea, I'd like to preface this post by stating a few things: I understand that there could be some flaws here and there with a feature like this, but maybe some of you here will be able to help fully flesh out the concept for it. Also, I am aware that not everyone may want a feature like the one I will describe as it could potentially cause complications with certain play styles and challenges, but hopefully, along with a potential feature like this, an LTR such as "Cold-Hearted" could be introduced to help those who would be annoyed by it. In addition, I'm not sure whether there's already an idea similar to this floating around in the threads, and I apologize if one already exists. This post will be very long as I've outlined my ideas quite extensively; if you read the whole thing, hat's off to you. :wink: Lastly, while I'm a big advocate for a return of reputations and more realistic reactions to break-ups, divorces, cheating, deaths, etc., in TS4, and I think this feature could go along seamlessly with a set of these features, I will only focus on the specific feature(s) I've thought of just recently so as not to make the topic too broad and similar to any other existing threads. :smile:
Now on to the idea for a new set of features...
As it stands now, after a break up or divorce, sims typically receive a +2 Sad, 10 hr long moodlet (+3 Sad, 10 hr long moodlet for Gloomy sims, and Non-Committal sims a happy moodlet; if there are other trait-based reactions, please feel free to mention those as well) which I've never felt really did much due to the stacking of other positive emotional moodlets that can frequently subdue the effect of it. While that's an entirely other matter on its own, I think it'd be nice if sims actually not only experienced the break-ups differently based on their traits and the way in which they broke up, but also actively and autonomously dealt with break-ups and divorces in different ways. As it is now, the typical Sad moodlet seems more "one size fits all" and is not intuitive to the sims' traits and circumstances surrounding their break-up or divorce. The reaction and "mending" period I propose should potentially do away with the existing Sad moodlet if the sim's traits and the way in which they ended things with their ex do not call for the sim to feel Sad. Here's an outline of what I think would be really cool to see, and if anyone else has more ideas, please share them! :smiley:
Two key factors should be considered when determining how the sim will react and "mend" during the time following their break-up or divorce:
1) their traits
2) the way in which they broke-up or divorced
1) For traits, not all will factor into determining how the sim reacts and "mends" after a break-up or divorce, as that would result in what I could imagine would be quite extensive coding and unstable, frequently changing emotions. The main traits that I feel make sense to have the most dominance in a sim's reaction are as follows, with their emotional reaction:
- Gloomy: As it is currently, this sim will be sadder than most sims for longer, and will always be saddened by the break-up even if they had a very poor relationship with their ex or were cheated on.
- Cheerful: In general, this sim will not be sad or angry after the break-up for as long as other sims, since they tend to look at the brighter side of life and will find reason to be happier sooner.
- Hot-Headed: This sim will almost always be angered by the break-up (particularly if cheated on), unless they had a very strong relationship with their ex prior, in which case they will be saddened by the event.
- Romantic: This sim will be saddened by their break-up, unless they had a very poor relationship with their ex or were cheated on, and may attempt to flirt with other sims in an attempt to get over their ex.
- Evil: This sim will always be angered by the break-up, and may seek vengeance on their ex and their ex's lover (if cheated on) and will never forgive (the relationship will not decay and cannot be mended with friendly/romantic socials).
- Mean: This sim will always be angered by the break-up, and may seek vengeance on their ex and their ex's lover (if cheated on) and will never forgive (the relationship will not decay and cannot be mended with friendly/romantic socials).
- Non-Committal: This sim will almost always be relieved to break-off the relationship, unless they had a very strong relationship with their ex prior, in which case they will be saddened but for not as long as other sims.
- Jealous: This sim will always be angered by the break-up, and may be even less trusting of future potential lovers and thus more difficult to get to enter subsequent relationships.
2) The circumstances surrounding the reason why sims broke-up or divorced should be a huge factor when it comes the sims' reactions to their break-ups and divorces. If a sim is cheated on, they will almost certainly be angry; if two sims break up while still in love, they will almost certainly be saddened unless they possess a trait that contradicts this, and so forth. Also, during their "mending" period (perhaps a couple sim days?), they will receive an additional Sad or Angry moodlet if they're around their ex at any point corresponding to their trait(s) and how the two broke-up. Additionally, they may frequently think of their ex and may have trait-related whims that indicate how they'd like to attempt to get over this event and their ex. For example, a Romantic sim may wish to go to a bar venue and flirt with a new sim, a Creative sim may wish to paint, write, sing, etc., a Glutton sim may wish to eat more than usual, and so on and so forth.
And...that's about all for my ideas. What are your thoughts?
