I'm trying to remember if I have done this, but I don't think I've ever made and played a Sim without any direction in mind BEFORE I make them. There's always some kind of gameplay reason when I make a Sim whether it's for a challenge, a scenario, a contest, to try out new pack features or just general gameplay. I used the 'Create a Sim Stories' a couple times with the quiz thing, which was fun, but it was mostly just because it was new and I was curious what kind of Sim I'd get.
I don't believe for a second the game is intended for a generational gameplay only. A lot of Simmers love to play that way, but it's not the only way to play the game. I rarely play with generations, in fact once my Sims get a partner and perhaps have a child, I get bored with them and start thinking of other ideas I'd like to try which usually results in starting a new save with a new Sim. My personal challenge has curbed that tendency a bit, but I still have other saves I play along with it when I have time.
My favorite way to play is with a single Sim starting out Rags to Riches style with a specific goal or set of goals in mind for them. I've said it many times before, but there is just something so satisfying to me helping them gradually succeed in their little pixel life. I like to keep this Sim single for as long as possible since it's so much easier for me that way. I get overwhelmed trying to play with too many Sims in a household since I'm a micromanager.
I've tried the full autonomy way to play when having more than one Sim in a household, but it's just too frustrating for me. The Sims left to their own devices do such silly, random, repetitive things that mean nothing most of the time. I wonder, why have them at all if they're just 'there' in the background doing their own thing? I guess I just care about my Sims too much and want any I'm playing to have a goal and work towards it. I just can't let them go wild and do whatever. I'll admit sometimes they do surprising things, but not often. I've tried mods to nuke those repetitive actions, but it never lasts. They just get enamored with another object and it starts all over again.
There is SO many different ways to play this game, it satisfies my creative side like no other game. I have all the packs except one EP and a few kits. It makes me happy I have so many options on what to do with my Sims or builds. The possibilities are endless and no, you don't always have to have an imagination to make things happen, but it does help to have an open mind and not get stuck believing you are required to do this or that. Play in whatever way makes YOU happy! <3
One last thing, about my challenge. I started it specifically to do aspirations I've never tried before and have a Sim live in every world doing them, plus build a new house for them every month since I love to build. I didn't intend to write a story as the year progressed except for their background story and a short summary of their progress with a daily post pic. However, gradually I did start to write a story. Here's where the imagination comes into play. Every month, I have to come up with a reason why they are moving using the next month's aspiration(s) to explain it. I don't have a clear vision written out at the beginning of the year. Playing that way is challenging and fun, especially if it works out these reasons somehow all work together and reveal a final outcome at the end of the year! At least for me since clearly I love to write.
Anyway, to sum it all up, I don't just make a Sim and plop them in a world without a vision in mind for them, there is always a reason, but not always a story. My goal in playing Sims is not generational, not rotational, it's playing one Sim and exploring everything the game has to offer, it's building houses/venues, it's telling stories, it's playing challenges, it's taking beautiful screenshots, collecting and so, so much more. :)
Happy Simming! <3
