I haven't read the replies to this thread yet, but I just posted this in the Feedback thread and realized maybe that wasn't the best place after the fact lol. So I'll post it here!
Apologies in advance because this is long but I have lately been really thinking about what I would really like to see in a Sims game.
Because a lot of the content in games tend to be modern/future focused, it totally makes sense to do the reverse and have lots of older content as well. This would add CAS/BB content, but also there should be changes to gameplay mechanics as well. If you want to play in an older time period, certain modern innovations wouldn't exist or there would be alternatives to them. Example: landlines and typewriters rather than cellphones and laptops. Or newspapers and "the wireless", old tvs and no tvs, etc. It also has the potential to add new careers/jobs, new lots, and new worlds. This doesn't necessarily have to equate to a farming pack, but would mix things up a little in the same way that Occult content adds a new energy as well. And would also benefit the Occult players who want to be immersive without modern tech too. You could even have an Inventor career and Sims slowly invent things that then if you wanted could be implemented in the world. Could also add new illnesses and social events. So fun, but also not mandatory for your Sims to feel like their lives are complete! I feel like what happens is new content is either really modern/contemporary/futuristic, really regal (I immediately think of those intricate couches with all of their curves and plushness, which only fits the illusion of wealthy Sims), or like modern country/rustic. There needs to be just old/rundown stuff that doesn't give the impression of wealth or newness. Like what if I just want an old-timey/period piece household that is poor?
There should be an ability to create a new world. And also, shooting for the impossible here, some way to toggle off accessibility between worlds, if that makes sense. So, if you make a world that is supposed to exist pre-cellphone era, Sims living in the cellphone era can't just come into the world which would throw off the immersion and suspension of disbelief.
Also I just want more hobbies for my Sims to have things to do around the house that would allow for more individuality. For example, It seems like all Sims love to read even if they don't have a Bookworm trait. Why give any Sim that trait then? I want Sims who love to practice ballet and have the objects to do them and want to actively carry out these activities because it's WHO THEY ARE versus having to worry that another Sim would just randomly also start practicing ballet just because there's nothing else to do. Perhaps implementing some sort of Likes/Dislikes aspects. Oh! And this reminds me, Attraction, Turn Ons, and Turn Offs! Would love to see that back in game.
Would be cool if other Sims in the world could host events that then the currently played Sims could be invited to and attend. Think being invited to the Community lots or the rabbit hole events, except with things like birthday parties or weddings or social events.
I want bands. And more instruments. And more art forms for skills.
Sleepovers or staying the night at other family members' homes. Like if you have a young Sim whose parents are separated, the young Sim could choose to stay a few nights with either parent. Or just going to spend the night with Grandma...
I want Sims to have perception and context of other Sims and what they do beyond more than just being a marker on their Relationship icon. If a Sim is sick, maybe they give a call to their neighbor who they know is a doctor asking for medical advice. Or if they go to ballet practice (hint hint), Sims are greeted by instructors and fellow dancers, and they practice together and maybe when class is over they actively say goodbye to one another in a way that seems unique to their interactions and relationships as dancers and classmates and friends (or rivals). Also! Depending on the personalities of some Sims, they just would or wouldn't be found on some lots. Like, Sims who hate dancing and crowds would avoid bars and nightclubs. I don't like how Townies or other Playable Sims will constantly show up at any lot no matter what the lot is. I just want my Sims to be smarter. T_T
An expansion on Clubs would be nice. New club icons, new club activities (which would work if Hobbies and Interactions greatly expanded).
I wish the object grid could be even smaller than one tile. There are so many decoration objects that I would love to place alongside other objects if only their tile was smaller. I prefer playing without cheats so I don't want to have to use MoveObjects to do this.
A more refined shopping system, similar to TS2. I would love to create lots like grocery stores and clothing stores that aren't necessarily owned by another playable Sim but still fully functional retail lots. This would help expand on lot types, especially for players who don't care as much about going to places like Nightclubs, Lounges, and Bars (which let's be honest are all the same lot type in many ways).
More careers. And also, maybe this is possible in the game and I just haven't discovered it, but some way to pause a Sim on a certain level of their careers. I know you could just have them not level up in skills or maintain an average performance which would prohibit promotions, but I like the idea that Sims actively choose to want to be whatever is the level 3 of the Politics career, for example. Not every Sim wants to be Leader of the Free World, so having the ability to pause them on a certain career stage without stagnating their skill building, or implying that they are only average at their job, would be FANTASTIC. Because someone can be the most charismatic individual, but still aspire to be a social justice worker.
I think rabbit hole careers and schools would work better if they became more interactive (and maybe this is something that can be turned on or off), but I actually enjoy when little events happen to my Sims while they're away. There should be more of those, and especially more with several options to choose from that alter gameplay. I remember this being a thing in TS2 and always worried that picking the wrong thing will result in my Sim being fired, and it made the pop-ups more fun. Now it's like a watered down version of that.
More approaches to schooling, like home schooling and boarding school. School that focuses on Arts or STEM. Maybe an interaction where Sims can walk to school or someone can pick another Sim up from school. Or a school bus...
Honestly, I would be happy if the car feature was brought back and it worked just like TS2, as long as the idea was there.
I would like other things like new CAS/BB in general. Especially more makeup and accessories. Also, reading the forums reminded me that Sims used to have body hair lol would be fun to see that back again. More tattoos. More pets like reptiles and birds.
Lastly, I want a lot of this to be implemented into the Base Game. That's very important to me. I know some of it can only work with the EPs like Cats and Dogs or Get Together, and I don't have work around suggestions for that. But anyways, I realized recently that in its own way, a video game is a living thing in the sense that it has the capacity to grow. I see no reason why just because EPs, GPs, and SPs continue to be released, that the Base Game can't continue to grow on its own. And the devs have proved via patches that they can implement game mechanics long after the Base Game's release. I think that devs should remember that while Packs are fun add-ons, they shouldn't be what's holding up the entire game. That's why the Base Game exists; it's the core of the entire series and they should constantly be thinking about how they can strengthen the core.
