I understand that "special" lots (the ruins, chalet gardens, and the island bluffs in Windenburg) are a part of the Sims team's effort to ingrain backstory and atmosphere in the game. However... the reality is that locking lots into such niche types is severely restrictive. These locked lots add little to no unique gameplay and limit our ability to create our own stories. I would love to to say that I understand why they did this, but frankly, I can't grasp the thought process behind decisions like these that ultimately limit player control and storytelling. I say it's time to free the lots. If you're going to give us an editable lot, we should be able to freely edit the lot type as well. I kindly request that these special lots be fully unlocked. We shouldn't have to rely on a mod for something so fundamental.

100% agree. I created a royal family and I wanted them to live in the Von Haunt Estate. It is not possible. And that irks me very much.

Oh please please please!!! One of the biggest frustrations ??? maybe I don't want a garden!! I've been using zerbu venue change mod but I would love for this to be official so that's one less mod to worry about.

THIS!especially i want to make von haunt and bluffs residential lots soooo bad like really what am i to do with mansion if i can't even live in it? my fancy rich sims wanna buy it.what do i do with some random pool ?when i could have cool witch tower instead? and witch living in it?seriously.also i hate how they put graffiti thing in bluffs bg cause really did you have to ruin my ancient fantasies with thatruins idk I feel like that i don't mind as much but i guess it would be nice to have like museum or something there

It makes sense for some lots to be locked, like the lab in Strangerville, because you couldn’t play the story properly without it .But for others like the Von Haunt estate I don’t get why.

"Dianesims;c-17659606" wrote:It makes sense for some lots to be locked, like the lab in Strangerville, because you couldn’t play the story properly without it .But for others like the Von Haunt estate I don’t get why.Absolutely agree...with a very story based pack you need constants. Interestingly, story based packs thus shut down and regulate the 'open world' of the Sims 4.

Can Maxis please unlock "special" lots?

SheriSim
Seasoned Hotshot
5 years ago
"Rouensims;c-17668269" wrote:
I built on the Bluffs. I didn’t know we weren’t supposed to be able to.

We probably can’t change the one because the Knights of the Hedge have to roam there.

I left it a pool, but put a B-B-Q grill and a few other things there to fulfill some needs. I send some sims up there to watch for Emily for them to get pictures, but have never seen the sea monster.
MissyHissy
5 years ago
"Dianesims;c-17659606" wrote:

But for others like the Von Haunt estate I don’t get why.

I would imagine it's to do with the parties there? Since the party events add objects to those lots, that would be interfered with it the user where to change the lot?
x4m1r4
5 years ago
It is nice to have an option to edit the "special" lot, but for me, I would rather keep it as how it's supposed to be.

My unique gameplay should be able to adapt to those "special" lot, because different Sims will have a different way to use that "special" lot. I personally feel that those "special" lot is like landmarks. Like the Von Haunt. More than anything, I wish that my Sims could live there too. The garden is so beautiful. Yet, as everyone knows, once upon a time, an accident happened there and 2 ghosts are roaming around every now & then.

The secret lab, let's just say, I don't want to disturb the Mother, probably after a generation, then I will awake her again for another story of my Sims. ;)
taydevsim
New Spectator
5 years ago
I use a mod to live in the Von Haunt Estate, but I agree that all lots, by default, should be open for players to use however we want.
Simmingal
Hero
5 years ago
"catmando830;c-17669248" wrote:
"Rouensims;c-17668269" wrote:
I built on the Bluffs. I didn’t know we weren’t supposed to be able to.

We probably can’t change the one because the Knights of the Hedge have to roam there.

I've built on the bluffs also. Built an all glass house, that is all windows all around.

you can build on bluffs and the other lots but you can't change lot type which means building family homes to live in or such is completely impossible (sims would go home and all that mess) and you can't assign any useful lots like restaurants or spas or anything with more service sims which is annoying to say the least
SappySifaka
Seasoned Newcomer
5 years ago
"AnnLee87;c-17659953" wrote:
What do you mean by unlock? You want to build? testingcheats on or true then BB.enablefreebuild
Never tried to change the lot type. I have to go check it out the next time I play.
I have built on all the hidden areas. Never tried it the temples though.

Great question. By "unlock", I mean that they shouldn't be restricted in any way. They should just be normal lots. i.e., we shouldn't need to to use bb.enablefreebuild. More importantly, we should be able to change the lot type to fit the stories we want to tell.
catmando830
5 years ago
"foxybilly;c-17669458" wrote:
"catmando830;c-17669325" wrote:
"Simmingal;c-17669321" wrote:
"catmando830;c-17669248" wrote:
"Rouensims;c-17668269" wrote:
I built on the Bluffs. I didn’t know we weren’t supposed to be able to.

We probably can’t change the one because the Knights of the Hedge have to roam there.

I've built on the bluffs also. Built an all glass house, that is all windows all around.

you can build on bluffs and the other lots but you can't change lot type which means building family homes to live in or such is completely impossible (sims would go home and all that mess) and you can't assign any useful lots like restaurants or spas or anything with more service sims which is annoying to say the least

I have a Sim or had (I deleted the game) living in the house in the bluffs, she was an artist, and I had no problem with her interactions.

How did you build on the bluffs? I tried and used enable free build but it wouldn't let me? I dont have mods or cc - is it a mod that enables you to rebuild it? thanks

It was almost 2 years ago that I had built this, I did not use any CC or mods, don't even know if I used a cheat. I'll have to take a look at the lot again when I have time.
somethingnew15
5 years ago
I do think it would be nice if we could travel to Sixam or maybe have it unlocked in the world screen like career clothes that appear in CAS.
DonroaAkashu
New Spectator
5 years ago
Entering from Manage World view lets you build on the special lots without cheats.

This thread could be moved to Feedback section, since the question is for EA /The Sims Team / SimGurus to answer. Right now it is in General Discussion. I think OP can move it, by choosing section on the gear.
SappySifaka
Seasoned Newcomer
5 years ago
"Auroraskies;c-17669828" wrote:
Entering from Manage World view lets you build on the special lots without cheats.

This thread could be moved to Feedback section, since the question is for EA /The Sims Team / SimGurus to answer. Right now it is in General Discussion. I think OP can move it, by choosing section on the gear.

I'm not sure that I have that ability. I've checked. I'm fairly certain only a mod can move/delete posts. But you're definitely right, it should be moved to feedback.