Pack Refreshes

"Not because they look super-realistic-amazing, or are especially beautiful, but because THEY WORK."

That is pretty much what I am getting at about updating some of the lots in various Sims 4 packs and the Base game. I love things I see on the gallery, but the chances of me ever downloading any of the lots on it are slim because so many of them use so many cheats and clutter. Nevertheless, I'd like to see some "remakes" of already built lots.

The look should pay strong ode to the original, but at the same time be given a more sensible floor plan and in some cases exterior. Thus basically a give and take as placed on all the Creator's EA collaborates with: EA gives them a description of what they are envisioning along with reference images. The Creator then takes that information and builds a lot that has all the basic requirements and stay within the limitations of not using cheats while building... like "move objects". The Creators then send in their builds to be evaluated. EA makes sure the lot works for low spec computers and meets the expectations of the lot type. Thus, like James Turner's Werewolves starter home, it is definitely a starter, but it has a more sensible floor plan, well sized rooms and stays generic.

Personally, I have a habit of almost always starting out in the Streamlet Single, but I always think the layout could be better. I rather feel the same with the neighboring houses to it. The floor plans are just odd and sometimes feel incomplete. I just have no idea how to make them more ideal nor how to keep it within the low spec requirements.

There is then the fact that the Base game and older packs didn't have as many tools and items at their disposal as the more recent packs do. The stair configurations, the ladders, the bunk beds, the glass roofs, the free items added into build/buy now exist.

I would love to see some of the pre-existing Sim families have their homes slightly redone. Again, keep the same general concept, but make them "better" as well as give some character to the rooms. Ever go to the Landgraab's and wonder just whose bedroom is whose? (Also, shouldn't Nancy at least have a hidden room completely unknown to Geoffrey to keep all her criminal career stuff in?)

The same goes with The Spencer-Kim-Lewis home... Other than Olivia, no one seems to know whose bedroom is whose and often think one of the four "adult" bedrooms is a guestroom. (I totally believe Eric and his mom are on the top floor and share that bathroom, Alice is in the room across from Olivia's and Dennis' room is the ground one.)

When I see the Goth's home, I am often left thinking that Alexander deserves a room inside the house. Sure, that little room on the very top of the build is interesting, but... geez... I feel sorry for the kid. He has to walk up all those flights of stairs just to get to his bed, he's practically cut off from the rest of the house and he is farthest from the bathrooms. Let the kid have a room inside! Turn that small room into a cute hangout/lounge space the kids like to go to or maybe some sort of office Mortimer uses to get away and find perfect silence to write.

My main interest, though, falls on builds like "Planet Honey Pop!" which is pretty much outdoors despite all the walls. To make that karaoke stage they used curved foundations, so if you have Seasons installed you'll find the inside has frost along the walls and your Sims are cold. There are other builds that have similar problems... Like the Bar in Brindleton Bay and the Cafe in Windenburg that have those "open windows" into kitchen areas.

I'm pretty sure there are other community lots I've felt could be edited some to be "Seasons prepared", but I cannot think of them at the moment...

Oh! Back to specific Pack Refreshes... The "Romantic Garden Stuff Pack"! If you have "Seasons" you will learn soon enough that a ton of the plant life in that is fake! "Romantic Garden" my foot! Fake hedges, fake flowers, fake foliage! "My what a magical garden! Those roses look magnificent! I'd like to smell their perfume... Wait a minute... This doesn't feel right... These stems are plastic! The leaves and petals are fabric! There is no scent! This garden is a cheap imitation! The romance is dead! Dead!!!"

So... yeah. I think it would be good if "Romantic Garden Stuff" could get an update to make the items change with the seasons... (Along with some of the other plant items in various packs, admittedly...)