Why does locking doors/gates not work?
I have an enclosed area for horses and mini sheep. The sheep will escape and horses will randomly not be able to enter their own stalls anymore. It's frustrating. I have some questions, I hope somebo...
Forum Discussion
I think the locks are supposed to stack? But in my experience they often don’t. I’ve had more luck with using “lock for everyone” and then unlocking for the Sims I want to be able to use the gate/door.
It also seems locks only apply to those currently in the household (or possibly on lot?) so if you lock a gate for all chickens but then hatch or buy a new chicken, the new one can still use the gate even though all the ones there when you locked it can’t.
Also, if a Sim is carrying a cat/dog/toddler who is not allowed through a door, they can carry them through the door. But if a Sim is riding a horse they can’t go through any gates the horse isn’t allowed to use on its own.
- @PipMenace Oh man I didn't know about the hatchlings yet.. It would take perhaps 3 beers worth of patience to start testing this mess.
I just wish they rewrote the whole code for locking doors kinda like they redid the way conversation topics are organized.The locking and unlocking assignments for Doors and Gates needs an overhaul. With every new pack brings new needs. The current locking assignment system is confusing, wastes time and is severely unorganized.
There is currently no way to tell what locks have been assigned to a given Door or Gate. Some lots have many Doors and Gates, especially Ranches. Revisiting an old Save File means re-discovering or re-assigning locking preferences - taking time away from playing the game.
- What does All Pets encompass? Only Cats and Dogs? does that include Horses? Chickens? Sheep? Goats?
- Baby-Proofing applies to both Toddlers and Infants? Only Infants?
- All Employees = Includes Butler? Ranch Hand? Vendors? or only Hired Services?
- Is a one-time Hired Mixologist considered an Employee?
- Is a one-time Food Stall Vendor considered an Employee?
- Are only Maids and Gardeners considered Employees?
Some solutions
- Hover-Over Listing: Hover your mouse over a door or gate, the choices for Locked are shown in a list.
- Assignment Toggle: Same as the new Sink Assignment. Unlocked options are an open circle. Locked assignments are a filled circle.
- Unlist from Lock Options: If All Cats is chosen from the Lock For... category, then unlist All Cats from the Lock For... category. Lock For... All Cats has therefore been assigned and need not be chosen again.
- Pop-Up Form: Check and Uncheck from a list of options.
Personally, I'm a proponent for a one-click, all-in-one listing Pop-up Form. This option would provide a clear listing of what locks have been assigned to that door, what allowances have been made, and any other preferences have been chosen. It takes out the guesswork. This listing would allow for growth with future DLC.
Here is what a possible Pop-Up Form could look like and function:
NOTE: This example Pop-Up Form shows two new features that I think would be welcomed inclusions for Doors and Gates.
- Invite Only - Your Sim can "Invite [Name] into home or room or yard
- Knock To Enter - If the door is locked, a visiting or Locked-Out Sim must knock (like the Front Door knock)
- Dialog Pop-Up: [NAME] would like to enter. Accept or Decline
- Accept: This is a instance-session option. Once the visiting Sim leaves the Locked room, they would need to knock again.
