Someone started this discussion on the Sim Reddit and I just loved the topic and fully agreed. Sims 4's main weakness is that each Sim tends to act the same due to the emotions overriding the weak traits and the reactions to death, divorce, and other drama is weakly executed. I am just going to start by copying my response from that discussion and ask everybody to lend their specific ideas for ways to make each Sim unique from the other!! Hopefully the gurus will read our multitude of responses to get ideas! Anyway here were my ideas:We simply need a pack based on personalities/drama/consequence. I feel something like this could be a game pack and of course a mix of free updates. The perfect free update is allowing for the same amount of traits that Sims 3 did and maybe a couple new and very strong traits such as jealous. "Jealous" is the most noticeable trait in The Sims 4. You literally can't have your partner simply TALK to another sim without the jealous sim getting angry and letting you know. A trait shouldn't just be a random moodlet and boost here and there. This pack could contain reputation system, hobby enthusiasm, attraction system, likes/dislikes, wants/fears, strong reactions to many situations that arise AND reactions based on traits/mood of sim. Use the emotion system to coincide with your sim's traits and then have them react! For example, a hot-headed sim could get really nasty and fight both partner and cheater if they walked in on them Woohooing. Perhaps a "gloomy" sim would have an emotional breakdown of crying and screaming without the rage. I also always thought they should add quirks! The pets get a quirk like being afraid of the TV. I imagine a Sim quirk would be "Snores", "Picks nose" (I feel this should have been included with Parenthood for "Bad Manners" Sims!), "annoying laugh", "rolls eyes constantly" or whatever you can think up . A pack based solely on deep customization of a sim that truly matters would be AMAZING! The Sims 4 is not a lost cause in this department whatsoever. I hated toddlers in the past and now I enjoy them more than children sometimes! This game does so well in a multitude of areas but unfortunately is weakest in what your game should spring from: deeper sims and reaction to the world around them!

I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.

"Lavenderlights;c-16257851" wrote:I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.Actually hot headed sims do get angry emotional buffs from things that other sims will never get them from. For example, hot headed sims often wake up angry, and also get strong angry buffs from wind chimes (really I had to remove them at some point or else all my sim's workouts would have been very discomforting experiences), crying / difficult toddlers, cleaning if they're also lazy (instead of only getting tense), etc. I think the hot headed trait is actually one of the better ones because they truly are hot headed. Jealous I myself don't like so much because it's annoying to play (but I know others like it because it's also rather strong). Still, I agree that some traits could be a lot better, and I still wish they had given us a "hates animals" and "scares easily" trait along with a scared emotion :)

Quirks would be a great idea...so long as we, the players, could pick them. I'm not a fan of just adding a bunch of hidden traits and calling it a day. I want quirks to be something that compliments and enhances the traits system the way that the turn on's and turn off's compliment and enhance your sim's base personality in TS2. So, say, if your sim has the traits Gloomy, Bookworm, and Loner, you could add the "Book Shield" (your sim hides their face with their book when reading in public or around other sims in general) to accentuate how bookish and socially awkward they are, the "Distrusts Vegetarians" quirk because in your head cannon your sim believes that all vegetarians are actually evil wererabbits bent on forcing all of humanity to suffer the same meat-free existence their wererabbit biology forces upon them, and the "Knucklecracker" quirk for the sake of giving them an annoying/disturbing habit.And, of course, you know I'm a fan of more intense negative emotions, extra trait slots, and stronger traits. In fact, add officially patching the game so that Uncomfortable moodlets boost other negative moodlets and add a Stoic trait that makes it harder for a sim to gain higher-level moodlets in any emotion and a Not Easily Impressed trait that greatly reduces the effectiveness of ambient Happy moodlets from decor on your sim. I'd like that a lot.

My in-depth ideas include going full RPG with stats for each sim in various categories as well as lots of unique and interesting traits.

"Lavenderlights;c-16258943" wrote:"SimTrippy;c-16257921" wrote:"Lavenderlights;c-16257851" wrote:I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.Actually hot headed sims do get angry emotional buffs from things that other sims will never get them from. For example, hot headed sims often wake up angry, and also get strong angry buffs from wind chimes (really I had to remove them at some point or else all my sim's workouts would have been very discomforting experiences), crying / difficult toddlers, cleaning if they're also lazy (instead of only getting tense), etc. I think the hot headed trait is actually one of the better ones because they truly are hot headed. Jealous I myself don't like so much because it's annoying to play (but I know others like it because it's also rather strong). Still, I agree that some traits could be a lot better, and I still wish they had given us a "hates animals" and "scares easily" trait along with a scared emotion :)Really? :o Lol I didn't know that, I guess it's because I don't play with the hot-headed trait much. Thanks for pointing those details out, that trait does sound like one of the better ones. If only all traits were that impactful...*sigh*I've noticed that most of the emotion based traits usually have a big impact on the sims behaviour, probably because emotions 'rule' the sims behaviour and these traits influence their emotions directly.Back to the thread I would love an expanded range of personality, I would really like to see sims with different traits have different ways of acting on specific emotions. So a sim with (trait) when sad would act differently than sim with (trait) does when sad. Variation in how sims display their emotions would go a long way I believe to make them more distinct.

Your in-depth ideas to make each Sim more unique!

halolady1999
7 years ago
I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.

BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.
Joanne_Snow
Rising Traveler
7 years ago
"Lavenderlights;c-16257851" wrote:
I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.

BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.

Actually hot headed sims do get angry emotional buffs from things that other sims will never get them from. For example, hot headed sims often wake up angry, and also get strong angry buffs from wind chimes (really I had to remove them at some point or else all my sim's workouts would have been very discomforting experiences), crying / difficult toddlers, cleaning if they're also lazy (instead of only getting tense), etc. I think the hot headed trait is actually one of the better ones because they truly are hot headed. Jealous I myself don't like so much because it's annoying to play (but I know others like it because it's also rather strong). Still, I agree that some traits could be a lot better, and I still wish they had given us a "hates animals" and "scares easily" trait along with a scared emotion :)
SimsLovinLycan
7 years ago
Quirks would be a great idea...so long as we, the players, could pick them. I'm not a fan of just adding a bunch of hidden traits and calling it a day. I want quirks to be something that compliments and enhances the traits system the way that the turn on's and turn off's compliment and enhance your sim's base personality in TS2. So, say, if your sim has the traits Gloomy, Bookworm, and Loner, you could add the "Book Shield" (your sim hides their face with their book when reading in public or around other sims in general) to accentuate how bookish and socially awkward they are, the "Distrusts Vegetarians" quirk because in your head cannon your sim believes that all vegetarians are actually evil wererabbits bent on forcing all of humanity to suffer the same meat-free existence their wererabbit biology forces upon them, and the "Knucklecracker" quirk for the sake of giving them an annoying/disturbing habit.

And, of course, you know I'm a fan of more intense negative emotions, extra trait slots, and stronger traits. In fact, add officially patching the game so that Uncomfortable moodlets boost other negative moodlets and add a Stoic trait that makes it harder for a sim to gain higher-level moodlets in any emotion and a Not Easily Impressed trait that greatly reduces the effectiveness of ambient Happy moodlets from decor on your sim. I'd like that a lot.
bsozz
7 years ago
My in-depth ideas include going full RPG with stats for each sim in various categories as well as lots of unique and interesting traits.
filipomel
New Spectator
7 years ago
"Lavenderlights;c-16258943" wrote:
"SimTrippy;c-16257921" wrote:
"Lavenderlights;c-16257851" wrote:
I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.

BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.

Actually hot headed sims do get angry emotional buffs from things that other sims will never get them from. For example, hot headed sims often wake up angry, and also get strong angry buffs from wind chimes (really I had to remove them at some point or else all my sim's workouts would have been very discomforting experiences), crying / difficult toddlers, cleaning if they're also lazy (instead of only getting tense), etc. I think the hot headed trait is actually one of the better ones because they truly are hot headed. Jealous I myself don't like so much because it's annoying to play (but I know others like it because it's also rather strong). Still, I agree that some traits could be a lot better, and I still wish they had given us a "hates animals" and "scares easily" trait along with a scared emotion :)

Really? :o Lol I didn't know that, I guess it's because I don't play with the hot-headed trait much. Thanks for pointing those details out, that trait does sound like one of the better ones. If only all traits were that impactful...*sigh*

I've noticed that most of the emotion based traits usually have a big impact on the sims behaviour, probably because emotions 'rule' the sims behaviour and these traits influence their emotions directly.

Back to the thread I would love an expanded range of personality, I would really like to see sims with different traits have different ways of acting on specific emotions. So a sim with (trait) when sad would act differently than sim with (trait) does when sad. Variation in how sims display their emotions would go a long way I believe to make them more distinct.
ladybreid
New Spectator
7 years ago
In the current set up I think not matter what I do my sims are basically the same if I'm not dictating their actions OR haven't given them traits that take things overboard.
I would love to see them implement a fatal flaw system like they did in TSM also I think the horoscope system would help too like when we are able to use the slider to determine how neat, outgoing, and active they were (I forget the other things)
alan650
New Spectator
7 years ago
"NorthDakotaGamer;c-16259678" wrote:
The way I make my Sims unique is to create backstories to my households. That way I use my imagination and use the limitations of the game to just tell stories. Guess I do not need any in-depth analysis on my sims.

I make stories too but the game itself needs to lend a hand more often than it does. Traits were way stronger in 3 and there were actual differences in each sim.
Sigzy05
7 years ago
"SimTrippy;c-16257921" wrote:
"Lavenderlights;c-16257851" wrote:
I honestly think there should just be a stronger tie between emotions and traits. As of now, the only tie between them are the occasional trait-based moodlets that sims with certain traits sometimes get (i.e. feeling flirty, etc.), other than that, traits don't really influence emotions that much and hence all sims get pretty much the same moodlets to everything regardless of traits as a result. There should be more trait-specific moodlets (like, for example have the hot-headed sims receive an exclusive angry buff in reaction to things being broken in the house) so that each sim would have a unique reaction to the same thing depending on their traits. It's already set in stone that emotions pretty much govern this game, so there's no way to work around that other than to make the best use of it - i.e. Use it as a platform for sims to display their traits.

BTW, this thread should totally go into the ideas section. It's probably more likely to catch the attention of gurus there.

Actually hot headed sims do get angry emotional buffs from things that other sims will never get them from. For example, hot headed sims often wake up angry, and also get strong angry buffs from wind chimes (really I had to remove them at some point or else all my sim's workouts would have been very discomforting experiences), crying / difficult toddlers, cleaning if they're also lazy (instead of only getting tense), etc. I think the hot headed trait is actually one of the better ones because they truly are hot headed. Jealous I myself don't like so much because it's annoying to play (but I know others like it because it's also rather strong). Still, I agree that some traits could be a lot better, and I still wish they had given us a "hates animals" and "scares easily" trait along with a scared emotion :)

That's nothing. Plus wind chimes is from a SP. Where's the base game gameplay surrounding that trait? A +1 moodlet that gets easily overriten? They don't even seem to get angry when sims use mischief with them.

In TS3 Hot Heads had this:

Hot-headed Sims will bypass getting sad or uncomfortable and just get really mad.
Objects breaking, other Sims not being nice and other negative moodlets can enrage this Sim.
Hot-headed Sims will react badly to negative social interactions.
This trait provides a bonus to Sims writing in the satire genre.
Hot-headed Sims are more likely to autonomously insult or argue with other Sims for little reason, but not as much as Inappropriate or Mean-Spirited Sims.
Hot-headed Sims will sometimes take their anger out on other Sims.
Hot-headed Sims hold grudges and are far less accepting of apologies than other Sims.
Negative moodlets on the Sim related to anger are 50% more effective.
Sims with the Hot-headed trait will become "Very Angry" with the other Sim right away if the other Sim performs a Mean interaction with them, as opposed to thinking the other Sim is "Impolite", "Rude" or "Unforgivably Rude". Some Mean interactions like "Greet Rudely", "Accuse of Being a Diva" (if the Hot-Headed Sim does not first have the Diva trait) and "Slap With Glove" bypass this and cause them to feel insulted instead of being angry.
Sims with Hot-headed trait do not receive 'Humiliated' moodlet when a mean action is committed on them (like being yelled at, been argued with or being slapped by another sim).
Hot-headed Sims will always retort when argued with, never being distressed unlike other Sims. This trait is shared with Diva Sims, who will also proceed to automatically slap the Sim arguing with them. If a Hot-Headed Sim is "Accused of Being X", the Hot-Headed Sim will angrily dismiss the insult rather than appear persecuted.
Hot-headed Sims are still subject to an awkward reaction when an Argue or Insult interaction is performed by a Sim with the Socially Awkward trait.
If the mood level is low, they become angry instead of uncomfortable and furious instead of miserable.
If a Sim who is a friend of the Hot-headed Sim uses one single mean interaction on them, the Hot-headed Sim may gain a wish to stop being friends with the offending Sim. The Friendly trait slightly lowers the chance of this wish occurring.
Hot-headed Sims are more likely to haves wishes to be mean to Sims whom they have lost friendship with.
Don't allow a Sim to the use the "Splash" interaction on a Hot-headed Sim while in a pool, as the Hot-headed Sim will furiously splash back, decreasing the offending Sims's Fun gain. They share this attribute with Grumpy and Mean-Spirited Sims.
Hot-headed Sims are more likely to win bar brawls, but the trait does not affect the outcome of the "Fight!" interaction.
Hot-headed Sims are always able to perform interactions under "Funny", due to the fact that they can never get sad or depressed unless the Hot-headed trait is removed.
elizabethjane818
New Novice
7 years ago
I think a hobby pack my help. But I agree, the traits are not nearly strong enough. All my sims act the same.
alan650
New Spectator
7 years ago
"NorthDakotaGamer;c-16259755" wrote:
"alan650111;c-16259719" wrote:
"NorthDakotaGamer;c-16259678" wrote:
The way I make my Sims unique is to create backstories to my households. That way I use my imagination and use the limitations of the game to just tell stories. Guess I do not need any in-depth analysis on my sims.

I make stories too but the game itself needs to lend a hand more often than it does. Traits were way stronger in 3 and there were actual differences in each sim.

I disliked Sims 3, which is why I never purchased it. So giving that comparison is not really convincing.

Well if you did see the Sims 3 traits in action you'd understand our upset towards the traits in 4.