Avoiding (ultimately) “cookie cutter” Sims…

In terms of appearances, I feel like I used to make different looking Sims, then started making most of them looking a bit similar but lately gone back to giving them more distinct features.

In terms of gameplay, I always try giving my Sims different traits, aspirations and stories. Whenever I make groups of roommates I make sure to give each at least one negative trait to make playing them more interesting too.

I'm not one to give game playing advice as my main focus is always world obsessively perfect save file/world building and because of this I have chronic restartitis.

However, as I download almost everything (with the exception of pre made makeovers, which I choose to do myself sometimes, all my sims and builds are downloaded from the gallery), I often find real inspiration in the builds and families I download in terms of storytelling.

Here's a recent example: I downloaded a messy apartment that PlumbobKingdom built using the basement kit heavily. I also had a three person family waiting in the wings that I'd downloaded. They have a Jewish surname, and the woman's traits include materialistic, so it gave me a fun idea for a story: this apartment has been passed down generation to generation since the family left Eastern Europe many years ago. They have it on permanent rent control, but the wife, who is married into the family, REALLY wants to move to a standalone property upstate (in my game, Upstate is Copperdale). The father is really attached to the apartment and has hoarded a bunch of keepsakes throughout the years. This has led to a lot of conflict and squabbling even though deep down the family loves each other.

Basically what I'm saying is that sometimes giving up some agency by downloading lots or families can act as inspiration or story prompts. Some very talented simmers that focus on CAS even have built in stories in their family descriptions that are full of drama. You can use that description as a starting point. You can go even further by downloading really dramatic save files. I plan to do this myself, I just am waiting for my two favorite save file builders to be "done" with their files.

@phantasmkiss You've peaked my curiosity. I don't think I've heard of Real Life™. Is it an MMO? Is it one of those things where you have to pay every month? Does it push you toward divorce and unemployment or are those just options you can pick if you feel your plot line isn't dramatic enough?

@WildIrishBanshee I used to think that too, but recently I had some good drama when my Sim wooed a married Sim - his wife even showed up at my Sim's door! She was very unhappy, at both my Sim and her husband. I even got a text message later on from one of my Sim's acquaintances, letting me know he had heard I had an affair. :D I'm not sure if this is base game, or came with a pack.