African Inspired Sims 4 world (Music Fest Pack - create band) IDEA🤔

Africa is often referred to as the birthplace of music. Many global music genres—such as jazz, blues, rock, and reggae—have roots in African musical traditions. By setting a music festival in an African-inspired world, the pack can explore and celebrate the diversity and cultural significance of music on a global scale.

Music Fest Pack (Expansion or Game Pack Idea)

Feasibility of Integrating this Idea into the Game:

• They did an in-game music festival in 2021, so the codes already exists.
• Sims 3 Showtime codes can also be reused for this pack.

Location Inspiration:

• Lagos, Nigeria or Cape Town, South Africa.
• Or, mix different cities from the continent of Africa into one world via neighborhoods.
• Example: One neighborhood is Lagos (Nigeria) inspired, another Cape Town inspired, or Kigali (Rwanda) inspired.

Careers

(Note: There is a musician  career branch that currently exists but it’s a rabbit hole.)

1. Solo Musician or Band Musician (Active Career):
• Career Dynamic: 
• As Sims’ skills increase (Instrument, Singing, Charisma, Entrepreneur) and build relationships with key figures (i.e., Promoter, Producer, etc.), they’ll unlock access to higher-paying gigs, exclusive venues, and special events. 
• For those choosing the band musician path, managing relationships with band members is crucial. Band member's skills, moods, relationship levels will impact band performances. Players can ask NPC Sims or Sims outside their household to join the band. Regular practice sessions with the band will increase skills for everyone and improve overall performance quality.
• Career Progression:
• Sims start by performing at small house parties, busking on the street, or even performing at local bars for a small crowd. As their skills and reputation grow, they can progress to larger venues such as lounges, clubs, etc.
• Career Goal: Reach Level 10 and headline the Music Fest (similar animations to what we had in the 2021 in-game music festival), becoming a world-renowned musician or band leader. Unlock special career achievements like “Legendary Performer” and “Music Icon.”
• Music Genres: players will be prompted to choose a primary genre for their Sim or band. Sims can choose from existing in-game music genres or explore new ones introduced with the pack. 
• Challenges: 
• When asking a Sim to join a band, they will express their opinion on the band’s primary genre. If they love the genre, they’ll be more eager to join and more motivated during practice and performances. If a sim dislike the genre, there’s a chance they’ll reject the offer to join the band or join reluctantly, which could result in lower performance quality, slower-skill progression, and no shows or disagreements during band practice. 
• A band member leaves the group  if their relationship with other members deteriorates.
2. Music Producer (Active Career):
• Career Dynamic: 
• Gives players a chance to shape the music industry from behind the scenes, using their Sims’ creativity and business acumen to turn aspiring musicians into superstars. This career allows Sims to find new talent, produce music, manage bands, and strategize to grow their record label or personal brand. Skills needed: Music skill (i.e. piano, etc), Charisma Skill, and Logic Skill. If players have get together pack (DJ skills) or Get Famous pack (media production skill). 
• Career Progression:
• Sims can scout for new artists or bands by visiting venues, socializing at music-related events, or using the “Search for Talent” interaction on the phone or computer.
• Player will chose which direction to take: manage a band or a solo artist. 
• Once Sims find their first artist or band, they’ll start by recording demo tracks (you can rent a recording studio), organizing small gigs, and promote their artist’s music on social media. 
• As you progress through the career, you will unlock the ability to build your own recording studio. 
• Career Goal: Reach Level 10 and Run your own record label, sign top talent, release albums, and host major events like Music Awards Shows.
• Challenges: 
• If a producer tries to push an artist into a genre or style they dislike, it can lead to creative tension, negative moodlets, and a drop in performance quality. Producers will have to use social interactions to convince artists to try new styles or compromise on genre choices.
• Producers must build their own reputation and manage the fame of their artists. A bad public image for either party can damage career growth.
• Relationships with promoters, radio DJs, and media outlets are crucial for getting your artist’s music heard. A bad relationship can limit exposure and access to gigs.
3. Record Label Owner (Rabbit Hole):
• Sims can run a record label, make key business decisions, sign artists, and release music. The focus would be on the business side of the music industry.

Aspirations

Under Creativity:

• Successful Music Producer: Master the art of scouting talent and producing hit records.
• Successful Musician or Band Leader: Achieve fame and recognition as a solo artist or band leader.

Under Knowledge:

• Music History Buff: Travel around the world learning about different music styles, instruments, and traditions. Engage with locals to gain insights.

New Items

• New Music Genre: Afro Beats.
• New Skill: Rapping (can be performed using karaoke machines, similar to singing). Beadwork skill. 
• New Instruments: African drums, Westernized drums, saxophone, harps, xylophone, and more.
• New Death: Sims can now experience a “Death from Too Much Music Fun” when they get overly caught up in the excitement of playing or listening to music for extended periods. As the Sim approaches their breaking point, they’ll display intense reactions such as dancing uncontrollably or playing their instrument in a frenzied manner.
• New Fashion: Afro-inspired fashion pieces with vibrant prints and designs. New hairstyles. Also, add music genre fashion such as punk rock fashion items, hip-hop items, etc. New Jewelry , new make up, and  new face paint. 
• New Food: Jollof Rice (Nigerian or Ghanaian), Bobotie (South African), Ugali (Kenyan/Rwandan), Fufu and Soup (West African).
• New Animations: 
• Afro Beats dance moves, 
• stage performance animations, and crowd interactions.
• Basket Balancing: NPC vendors or local Sims can balance baskets or trays on their heads, filled with fruits, vegetables, or other goods. 
• Seller Types: NPC sellers approaching Sims (might get buggy)
• Cooking Traditional Dishes: Pounding Fufu: Sims use a large wooden pestle and mortar to pound cassava or yam into a smooth paste.
• Audition animations

New Culture Place

• Afro-inspired marketplaces where Sims can shop for unique items, food, and clothing.

New Build Items

• Afro-inspired build items. 
• Items to build a recording studio 
• Items for building a music festival

Music Fest Lot

• The Music Fest lot will be a unique space in the new world where Sims can headline as part of the musician career. Players can edit the lot similar to how they can edit high schools.

Music Fest Lot Trait

• Allows players to create their own  Music Fest lots in other worlds. They enable informal street performances and gigs.
• Can attend these lots as a date or hangouts with other Sims.

New Performance Venue System

• As Sims advance in their music careers, new performance venues (e.g., lounges, clubs) become accessible. Venues will be restricted based on career level.

Miscellaneous

• Option to request a band to perform  when hosting an event. 
• Can incorporate Magician or Acrobats, or other type of performers, etc similar to sims 3 showtime. 
• Dance group career (create a dance group and compete ) 
• Sell music albums
• New Family Dynamics: 
• Community Elder: option to select community elder as a family dynamic. A community elder is the one consulted on various matters, from conflicts to to celebration. 
• Wisdom Transfer: Elders can impart logic which in part increase younger sims logic skill. 
• Request a band to perform at weddings.
• Lobola or Bride price interaction: Introduce a negotiation process for marriages. 

Existing Pack Integrations:

1. Get Famous:
• Musicians or bands with higher fame will earn more money and secure gigs more easily.
2. Get to Work:
• Manage a music store: sell music,  famous artist merchandise, music posters, and more . 
3. Get Together:
• Use clubs and groups to practice with band members or other musicians, even if they aren’t part of your household.
4. City Living:
• Perform at city festivals.
5. High School Years:
• Teens can start a part-time band career and perform at prom or other school events.
• Use the thrift shop mechanism to create fashions that fans wear around town if you reach level 10 in the music career.
6. Seasons:
• Weather impacts the festival. Going to a festival during a summer heat wave or thunderstorm can be deadly. Canceling a gig due to a storm will impact musical/band reputation.
• Create Festival events (Calabar Carnival or the Cape Town Jazz Festival). These can feature dance competitions, music performances, and local food stalls.
7. Life and Death:
• Other Sims can now use the “Mourn Through Music” interaction at the grave, playing a song in memory of the Sim who rocked out a little too hard.
• If a band member dies from the new death, other bandmates can gain a temporary “Inspired by Tragic Loss” moodlet, boosting their music skills when playing in tribute.
• New tombstones for musicians.
• Request band to perform at funeral services.
8. Wedding Stories:
• Request a band to perform at weddings.
• Lobola or Bride price interaction: Introduce a negotiation process for marriages
9. Growing Together:
• Community Elder: option to select community elder as a family dynamic. A community elder is the one consulted on various matters, from conflicts to to celebration. 
• Wisdom Transfer: Elders can impart logic which in part increase younger sims logic skill.