Base Game Update Proposal: Transforming Generic Lots into Limitless Hubs
The Vision for a Living World
The current Generic lot type is a missed opportunity for the building and storytelling community. While it offers total freedom in Build Mode, it feels empty and inactive in Live Mode. We are proposing a Base Game Quality of Life update that turns the Generic lot into a modular sandbox. This update would allow the game to intelligently use the systems we already have—like life stages, occults, and careers—to create multi-functional, living spaces. For players who still prefer a completely empty lot, they can simply leave all toggles unchecked and set the population density to none.
Cohesion: From Base Game to Full DLC
This update is designed to be universally cohesive. For players with only the Base Game, the system unlocks the ability to create functional daycares, ghost-led cemeteries, and community centers using standard mechanics. For players with DLC, the User Interface dynamically expands. If you own a specific pack, such as Vampires or Cats and Dogs, those specific occult and animal options automatically appear as toggles. This ensures the update never feels empty for Base Game users, while providing extra value and "pack synergy" for those who have expanded their game.
The Logic-Based User Interface and Console Accessibility
The Lot Info Panel should feature a Dynamic System Overlay that detects which packs a player has installed and offers relevant toggles to define the lot guest list. To ensure this is console-inclusive, the UI should use the same checklist and dropdown logic found in existing pack menus, making it easy to navigate with a controller.
- Life Stage Filters: A checklist to allow or disallow specific ages, from Infants to Elders.
- Population Control: A density slider allows players to choose how many Sims spawn. This ensures the update is performance-friendly for both PC and Console players, as those on older hardware can keep density set to low to avoid lag.
- Occult Population Toggles: Checkboxes to allow Ghosts, Vampires, Werewolves, or Spellcasters to spawn as part of the community based on the packs the user owns.
- Animal and Wildlife Toggles: Options to allow unowned Cats, Dogs, or even livestock and foxes to appear on the lot.
Active Service Mandate and Functional NPCs
To make community lots like Daycares, Senior Centers, or Animal Rescues work, the assigned staff must have a high-priority task deck. To keep this cohesive and simple, NPCs arrive in the career uniforms already assigned in the game files, focusing on functionality rather than complex design tools.
- Caregiver Role: NPCs assigned to Daycares or Youth Centers will prioritize the needs of infants and toddlers, such as feeding and changing, over their own social needs.
- Animal Handler Role: Staff will focus on sanitation, filling food bowls, and providing social enrichment to unowned animals on the lot.
- Senior Coordinator Role: NPCs will actively initiate social activities like chess or group dancing to keep elder Sims engaged.
- Required Objects Checklist: Selecting a specific service, like a Barista or Librarian, will generate a checklist of items needed for that NPC to spawn. This gives players a clear to-do list in Build Mode to ensure the lot is fully functional.
Atmosphere and Behavioral Tags
To ensure the Limitless lot feels immersive, we need tags that dictate how visitors behave and what they wear.
- Dress Code Dropdown: Players can choose a category such as Formal, Athletic, or Swimwear, and NPCs will automatically change into that outfit category when they arrive.
- Social Tone Settings: Players can set the Vibe to Relaxed, Energetic, or Productive, which tells the game AI to prioritize certain animations and object usage.
- Supervision Rules: To maintain realism, if a lot is primarily for toddlers or infants, the game will require at least one Teen or older Sim to be present for the lot to function.
Bonus Idea: Community Adoption and Customization
To add more depth to animal-focused builds, players could place a Foster Flyer or Rescue Marker on the lot. When active, players can click on any unowned stray animal currently on the lot and select an Allow Adoption toggle. On consoles, this would be a simple interaction in the pie menu. This marks the animal as a resident of your rescue center that visiting NPCs can interact with and eventually take home. This creates a functional, player-made rescue center that adds to the town's economy and social life without requiring mods.
These are just a few ideas I came up with to make the game feel more interconnected and alive. This Generic lot update should be truly limitless, giving us the power to create the specific types of venues we've always wanted without the restrictions of a single lot type. Our builds should be as functional as they are beautiful. What ideas do you have? What kind of custom community lots would you build with these tools?
