Suggestions for Gameplay

I have played various stories and I have come up with several ideas, only a few are here. I have found my niche, and these ideas are intended to enhance or tweak that. I've been at this for HOURS, so I'm posting this as is. In no particular order:

1. Cooking
   • Grilling skill - I like the idea of my Sim grilling on occasion, but I usually have him dislike Cooking. This would replace increasing the Cooking skill while using the grill with a Grilling mini-skill instead. 
   • Can favorite up to 10? 15? 20? recipes that when a Sim autonomously makes food, they will have a higher priority of making those recipes. On the menu would also have a favorites tab.
   • Have the High-Protein Meal show up in the Cooking menu, always kind of bothered me that it was its own separate thing. None of the other mood-based meals had their own menu.
   • Allow for a toggle of similar items that can be switched on or off (real meat/faux-meat, milk/plant milk, etc.). Would tidy the menu up a bit.
   • Update recipes for consistent logic (why does Grilled Cheese not need Bread? Why do Hamburgers need faux meat?)
   • More Potato recipes - fries, hash browns, au gratin, mashed, etc.
   • Update plate images, some look like a rather flat angle, inconsistent with the higher angle most other foods have.
   • I think there are some inconsistencies when the Simple Living Lot Challenge is applied where it seems some ingredient lists are changed. The lot challenge should simply require those ingredients in order to make. Would love the same to happen with the Home Chef stuff pack - I got rid of it because it altered the recipes too much. Prepared ingredients ought to be an alternate, not the only option. If it is an issue of cooking times, the Sim could get a buff when taking the ingredients out of the fridge, if at least one is prepped, apply the buff to increase the cooking speed.
   • Appropriately move baked goods to the Baking skill (GtW).
2. Likes and Dislikes - Sims with specific traits would have certain likes and dislikes coded in (cannot be changed) and would not count towards the total limit of Likes and Dislikes. Example, a Sim with the Active trait would come with Likes Fitness automatically, a Sim with the Lazy trait would automatically have Dislikes Fitness. I always have my household Dislike Gossip, but they will still sometimes do it anyway (has been quite a while since I last observed it, so possibly already fixed?) One new option under Activities and several options under Culinary:
   • Chores: mopping, cleaning, clearing dishes, putting things away, laundry.
   • Vegetarian: anything made with fruits or vegetables.
   • Faux Meat: anything made with faux meat.
   • Dairy: anything made with dairy products.
   • Carnivore: anything with meat (does not include seafood).
   • Seafood: anything with fish (does not include regular meat).
   • Sweets: anything dessert.
3.  Amputees - could be rather complicated, but something that overlays ("replaces") a Sim's body part to appear as a prosthetic. 6 variations - hand, lower arm, whole arm, foot, lower leg, whole leg. Would have plastic prosthetics, wooden prosthetics made on the woodworking table, or robotic prosthetic made using the robotics worktable (DU). All 3 simply visual differences. Would be able to toggle accessories on the prosthetic (watches, gloves, rings, socks, shoes, etc.).
4.  Accessory Gameplay - animation to remove/replace hat (toggle whether to remove while indoors, and an animation to swap ball cap between front and back. Sims with a bracelet could periodically glance at it when idle. Toggle whether a shirt should be tucked in or not.
5. More Body Options
   
   • More scar options on the body, such as appendicitis, cuts on fingers from cooking or woodworking, things to give a calloused hands look, etc.
   • A slider to make hands larger or smaller with appropriate adjustments to worn gloves and rings.
   • Different belly button types.
   • Detached earlobes.
6. More Jokes - It seems strange how there are different variations of Jokes and other Funny Interactions, yet no matter the skill level, no more than three at a time show up. Add special Parent (Pun) Jokes if high enough Comedy + Parenting skill (Parenthood).
7. Obstacle Courses (Outdoor Retreat AND StrangerVille) - been a dream of mine. Can set up an obstacle course similar to setting ones up for dogs (C&D). Things like tire run, balance beam, crawling tunnel, rope swing, monkey bars, stepping stones, hurdles, and climbing wall. Outdoor Retreat courses would look simple and wooded suitable for children, while StrangerVille courses would look more modern and tougher, intended for Teen+. Each one could keep a record that people can try to beat.
8. After School Activity - JROTC (StrangerVille) - a military boot camp for Teens, similar to Scouts. Completing all tasks would award the Sim with the Military Brat trait. They would then be able to do most Military interactions (such as sparring, introduction, salute, order around, etc.) even if they are not in the career. As an adult, they would have a faster promotion speed in the Military Career.
9. Volleyball (Island Living) - Court with a net in the middle. 1v1, 2v2, MAYBE 3v3. Net can be toggled depending where it is located for designated outfits (athletic or swimwear). Variants for grass, sand, floor, and pool.
10. Privacy PLEASE! - Two different households, same save file, same scenario with a brother and sister. Brother goes to take a bath, sister autonomously goes into the bathroom to do something, gets shocked, leaves, then immediately queues the same interaction, shocked again, leave again, rinse, repeat until brother gets out of tub. Sister A REALLY wanted to clean that toilet. Sister B spawned from the urn sad and had to cheer herself up using the only mirror on the lot, which was in the bathroom. Something that broadcasts that there is a nude Sim in a room and temporarily block any interaction from those outside the room (except partners) in the room until the Sim is dressed up.
11. Westerns (Horse Ranch) - Was kind of surprised that there wasn't a Western genre added to Horse Ranch. Lots of interesting stories that could be added to the game.
12. Aspirations
    • move Championship Rider to the Animal category
    • move Country Caretaker to the Animal category??? Seems to slightly do more with animals than plants.
    • ANIMAL: Rancher aspiration (Horse Ranch) - similar to Country Caretaker, but dealing with prairie grass, horses (no overlap with Championship Rider), goats, and sheep. Reward can even be similar to Nature Conversationalist, but specific to Horse Ranch and Chestnut Ridge.
    • KNOWLEDGE: Robotics aspiration (DU) - focus on the Robotics skill to ultimately activate a Servo. Reward could be no negative effects from the robotics workstation and things can be crafted quicker (components, toys, helper robots).
    • NATURE: Floral Arrangement aspiration (Seasons) - an aspiration that goes through the ins and outs of floral arrangement and gardening flowers. Could offer a reward where the quality of arrangements made will never decay.
13. Lock Autonomous Massages (Spa Day) - a frustration I have is I like the idea of my Sim pampering his wife, but it flies off the rails when ANYONE will ask for/offer a massage (usually interrupting the conversation I want them to have) just because a chair or table is on the lot. On the chair or table, there ought to be a toggle option to Enable Massage Duty (probably would require a certain level of the Wellness skill, maybe 2), which would allow anyone on the lot to autonomously ask the designated Sim to give them a massage. Would further have an option to lock Massage Duty to specific individuals (like the computer, door, and now TV), such as only giving massages to a spouse.
14. Therapist Career (Spa Day), seemed like a missed opportunity, but a career that utilizes the Wellness skill. Would include (Base Game?) chances of cramping or headaches (higher chance if not properly hydrated - both, too stressed - mental, or working out at low Fitness skill or too much working out - physical), and either a self or other (ask for/offer) interaction to massage what is hurting. Not remembering if this is also a thing or if it was a mod, but socials about hydration (talk about, encourage, recommend) that would have higher autonomy at Gym lots, Spa lots, or during Heat Waves (Seasons).
    • Psychiatric Counselor (Psychology degree from DU): Wellness + Logic or Charisma skill. Primary focus: uplifting conversation and meditation.
    • Physical Therapist (Biology degree from DU): Wellness + Fitness skill. Primary focus: yoga and massages).
    • With high enough Wellness skill, Sims will be able to offer therapy sessions with other Sims as a goal-based event. Complete enough of the goals to have the Sim feeling better. One variant involves a meditation stool and aims to help them overcome negative moods through meditation or mantras. helping them process the negativity they are feeling and how to overcome it. The other variant involves a yoga mat and aims to assist in recovery from or prevention of an injury. Can be done verbally from a distance, or if accepted, with innocent physical contact. Sessions ending in failure may make it harder for future Sims to accept your offer. Sims in the Therapist career will have greater success and a higher pay out.
15. Businesses
    • Own a Spa (Spa Day) - run a Spa just like a business and hire employees.
    • Add displays for retail items from other packs, such as holders for flower arrangements (Seasons) and fridges for ice cream like ones found at ice cream parlors (Cool Kitchen).
    • Allow player Sims to get jobs at businesses, like retail, restaurants, and spas.
16. Freelance
    • Caterer -  Cooking, Gourmet Cooking, Baking (GtW) skills. Culinary Arts degree from DU. Requests would be grouped by dietary preference.
    • Florist (Seasons) - Flower Arranging skill. Some gigs could just be sending a certain amount of specific quality flowers.
    • Model (Moschino)- Fitness skill? Would need to be able to pose, walk, and look good. Requests would be grouped by outfit. Sim would be able to try the outfit on, then have the photographer come over.
17. Additional Fitness
    • Professional Athlete - swap promotion requirement from the Charisma skill to the Logic skill to have it more in line with the soccer team from DU.
    • Game Mat - add some more games with athletic tones, such as soccer and baseball. Using the game mat would provide small gains to the Fitness skill, and if not done already, should feed into the Energetic lifestyle instead of the Sedentary one (Snowy Escape).
    • Ice Bath - allows Sims to recover from injuries or soreness quicker. Be mindful of the temperature (Seasons).
    • Monkey Bars - allow Teen+ Sims to use the monkey bars (animation would probably involve them having their knees bent) and can do pull ups from them.
    • Large Tire (large footprint) - can be used for two specific ideas, flipping the tire over (would need enough room) and using a sledgehammer on it.
    • Fighting mini-skill - for things like boxing and fighting. Choose color and style of boxing gloves on the punching bag. Attend a self-defense course to train with someone. Can also use the same Spar animation from StrangerVille. Can also playfully box with Toddler and Child Sims as well as rough and tumble on the bed.
    • More floor fitness interactions - planking, jumping jacks, burpees, squats, seated twists.
    • Ask to incorporate others on certain ones, such as have Child or older on your back when doing push ups or pull ups. Holding an Infant or Toddler when doing squats or seated twists. Quick affectionate kisses when doing push ups with an Infant or Toddler or romantic ones with a partner. Can also do quick romantic kisses with a partner when doing sit ups. Reaching a high enough level Fitness skill would make a Sim immune to sore buffs when playing with young Sims (certain level for Toddler, higher level for Child).
    • Warm Up (Fitness) - reduces the likelihood of injuries during workout, small chance of injury during warm up.
    • Intensity Levels (Fitness) Locks some fitness interactions based on intensity (just like the climbing wall), where a Sim would have to do the lower intensities before being able to do the higher ones. Each would also have an Until Failure final intensity, check the moodlet to stop before an injury could happen.
      • Workout > Heavy Lifting >>> Epic Workout (seems there needs to be an adjustment in animation, the weights in the back should appear as 33%, 66% and 100% respectively, but a quick test showed 100%, 33%, and 100%).
      • Box > new middle variant >>> Commando Training
      • Push Up/Sit Up/Burpee/Squat/Seated Twist (standard amount seems to vary) 10 > 25 >>> 50
      • Jumping Jack 20 > 50 > 100
      • Plank (can be difficult because Sim time is different) 1 min > 2 min >>> 4 min
18. Detective Career (GtW)
    • Lawyer Up (+DU) - adds a challenge where a defense attorney would be present at an interrogation, only thorough investigations can lead to a confession.
    • Doughnut Run - work task to go buy doughnuts. Would be a phone or computer interaction.
    • Arrest Complication - chance for a suspect to resist arrest by getting into a fight with the officer.
    • Taser Training - for wild and unruly suspects. Would need to be on the receiving end to get access to one. Improper taser use can have that revoked.
    • K9 Unit (+C&D) - trains dogs to help out with police work (Pet Training skill). Properly trained dogs can reduce the likelihood of aggression towards the officer while on patrol or arrests, can help sniff out hidden clues at a crime scene, and may even help pinpoint the suspect.
    • Sims with high enough Handiness skill would be able to break into houses. Perhaps a door upgrade that makes it harder/impossible to break in, tampering could trigger a silent alarm, etc.
19. Part-Time Jobs
    • Allow other part-time jobs to count as Side Hustles for the Goal Oriented aspiration (HSY)
    • Fix Lifeguard career (Island Living) to be able to take vacation days. Currently, the only way to use the vacation days is to go on vacation (OR, JA, etc) or set up a day-off holiday (Seasons).
    • Youth Coach - Charisma skill. Coaches Child Sims to hone in their Motor Skill
    • Firefighter - Fitness skill. Stop fires and save lives.
    • Maintenance Worker - Handiness skill. Janitor, plumber, electrician all in one.
    • Animal Control Worker (C&D) - Veterinarian skill. Locate lost or stray animals, take care of them, and hope to find them a new home.
    • Librarian - Charisma skill. Takes care of the libraries and engage in storytelling. Creates a new event that would happen periodically at a library. Would feature a circular formation (sometimes full circle, sometimes half) that is placed via Build Mode where storytelling events would happen in a section of the library. Primary function is for the librarian to read stories to children (half circle with childish furniture). Secondary function is for book clubs (full circle with soft chairs) and participants can take turns reading from an assigned book and the group discusses parts. Storytelling events should not exceed an hour for children or two hours for Teen+.
20. Garage Kit - wondered how this would work, but after getting the Restoration Workshop recently, it is completely do-able! Primarily thinking of a functional garage door (I see a lot of people use the painting wall from City Living), and place-able Sim-brand vehicles (motorcycle, SUV, pickup, etc). Primarily a gameplay Kit, like Bust the Dust. Never liked the idea of driving (neighborhoods are so small, how could this possibly be practical?), however the vehicles would have several key functions (limitations based on type):
    1. Tune Up - similar to the boiler and electrical box from RW, Sims would be able to do maintenance on vehicles, with 2 variations - open hood (animation begins and ends with moving the hood) and under carriage (animation begins and ends with a jack). Likely to end up with dirty hands.
    2. Car Wash/Buff - wash their vehicle (provided it is outside) usually in swimwear, may attract onlookers. Can sometimes get damaged, buffing removes the damage.
    3. Seasons - Car Wash and Buff would be unavailable in cold weather, if there is snow on the vehicle, Sims can Brush Off the snow. Lightning strikes can damage the vehicle, formation of mud puddles nearby can make it dirty. Activities inside the vehicle could become dirty quicker during Hot Weather.
    4. Detail - vehicles can get dirty on the inside (another thing Neat Sims would love to do).
    5. WooHoo in the backseat.
    6. Solitude - eat, drink, or take naps in the vehicle (can sometimes spill food in vehicle).
    7. Vindictive Sims could Key (Mean) the vehicle, can be removed by buffing.
    8. Scare with Car Alarm (Mischief), only if target is near or in the vehicle. Hooligans can also Set Off Car Alarm (Mischief) to annoy the owner.