"Unplugged trait" to prevent autonomous phone, computer use and prefer other activities

From the patch notes today:

• Sims will no longer be constantly using their phones at every hour of the day. Not a cell phone in sight, just simulated people living in the moment. Beautiful.
  

"EA_Cade;c-18333031" wrote:
From the patch notes today:

• Sims will no longer be constantly using their phones at every hour of the day. Not a cell phone in sight, just simulated people living in the moment. Beautiful.
  

Oh I was unaware that it was a bug related to this (i just read the notes you linked) I actually just reinstalled the Sims, pre-ordered For Rent and started building apartments in the last few days.

Well I'm happy to see that sims use their phones less! Though I wonder if a unplugged trait isn't still a possibility especially for off the grid game play with moodlets ect? Just an idea anyway, thx for the link and info!

Most of what you wish for is already s thing with the technophobe lifestyle trait.

"nattygirl13;c-18343874" wrote:
Another example would be using a telegraph machine to chat instead of holding a cellphone or using a community board to post roommate advertisement instead of posting on the web.

Chatting is the easiest to do historically accurate gameplay because you can chat to other sims, animals and plants if you want to raise social. If you don't want a TV or computer in your sims house it's quite easy to not add one in your households and add another fun raising object like a games table. I tried to play off grid in Chestnut Ridge but I found there are not quite enough furniture options, especially sinks. Sinks are basically a basin that you can pour water in with a pitcher if the tap doesn't work, so not sure why there are so few off the grid options for them. Also, would be nice if sims could buy a gas canister to fuel the stoves instead of making their own bio fuel.

I actually love the idea of it being a trait! Like for example, my kids are phone addicts ..... I am not! I only use my cell when I'm out (I work from home so I make/answer my landline because it's on my desk).

So if I wanted to make a simself or someone who's like me, they would get that trait and the rest of the world could continue with their cell phone addiction!

Yes please, Devs!

Yeah I really wish the autonomous phone use was tied to phone addiction trait or whatever and all my sims wouldn't do that autonomously its so off putting when my sims spouse is dying or whatever and they're just looking at their dang phones

I also hate when sims take out their phones/camera to " take picture" of celebs or milestones or whatever cause then I can't have them actually take picture because they're in the middle of that animation *sighs*

also just in general I play autonomy off for a reason why are my sims still autonomously judging decor or whatever when i clearly wanted autonomy off

only time I wish sims would have autonomy despite autonomy off is when they're werewolf during full moon since thats like whole point of being werewolf to be uncontrollable and rampage but apparently that is not autonomous out of all things possible *sighs*

Please, yes.

Let it be a trait, preferably a cheap reward trait so it's easy to get and doesn't take up a trait slot. I play historical sometimes too, and had to install a mod that made the phone look like a little notebook...even though those weren't a thing yet either in the time period I'm trying to play. Still, it's slightly better than seeing them take out a phone that definitely didn't exist yet.

"Magdaleena;c-18345933" wrote:
Please, yes.

Let it be a trait, preferably a cheap reward trait so it's easy to get and doesn't take up a trait slot.

Perfect :)

I also think there should be options to hide the phone UI menu and instead perform phone and computer interactions from interactive objects such as: mailboxes, community boards, kiosks, and bus stops. Especially if you are aiming for historical gameplay and want to eliminate phone and computer usable. There should also be more off the grid stereo objects to match historical gameplay and vintage movie projectors and projector screens to replace TVs (there could be an animation of changing the film reel on projectors).

"83bienchen;c-18343862" wrote:
Most of what you wish for is already s thing with the technophobe lifestyle trait.

Yes, but I'm referring to base game compatible incorporation of these features for people who don't own Snowy Escape or simply want to incorporate period accurate devices into historical gameplay. These suggestions aren't about bring a technophobe, because they wouldn't want to use any technology, It is about having more realistic technology alternatives for historical themed gameplay. For instance, there is a lot of TSM conversion of cc and mods, but some of it isn't accurate or realistic. For example, the parchment computer is a nice mod, but it isn't accurate or realistic to still be able to play video games or use social media functions on a piece of parchment. There is also a crystal ball tv mod, but if you don't own RoM or simply want a more period accurate device for your generation challenge, the vintage movie projector I mentioned would be an appropriate alternative to TVs and crystal balls. Additionally, if you're playing in a rural setting such as henford or chestnut ridge, sending a letter and completing social interactions via a mailbox, may be more suitable as opposed to having a computer. Especially for individuals who want off the grid compatible and historical gameplay alternatives. Another example would be using a telegraph machine to chat instead of holding a cellphone or using a community board to post roommate advertisement instead of posting on the web. Technically, some of these suggestions would still qualify as a technological device, so the technophobe lifestyle trait would be a hindrance to gameplay.