Buy Mode set is half-baked in general

Lets be honest, The Sims 4 has the best build mode but I see a huge weakness which is repeate with every pack and base game updates. I want to highlight some weaknesses and show some things which need to be developed or corrected.

1. Swatches
Weird, not matching textures and swatches are extremally common in the sims 4. What is worse, sometimes furnitures from one pack do not match to each other. For example Cool Kitchen cabinets and counters:

https://static0.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sims-4-cool-kitchen-units.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=740&h=389

2. Some packs have similar items
I do not know why, but some items are the same in packs. For example:

This type of windows (Base Game, Spa Day, Eco Lifestyle ect.):
https://simscommunity.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/07-14-15_6-22-PM-4-300x169.pnghttps://simscommunity.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/07-14-15_6-23-PM-300x169.png

This type of decoration (City Living, Get Famous, Eco Lifestyle):
https://simscommunity.info/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/100.png

3. Recycled textures between packs.
Some objects are totally copy-pasted between base game-packs or pack-pack. For example used counters in City Living. They are just copied counters from base game with some changes in base swatches:
https://simscommunity.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/23.png

Realm of Magic has the same issue:
https://preview.redd.it/s9t0hnuzu9m31.png?auto=webp&s=bd6b889473a4692f3d400158b2b7d73a575aa9f6

4. Lack of "mirror" version of some items.
Every type of unusual couch or armchair has this problem:

City Living:
https://simscommunity.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/20.png

Moschino:
https://simscommunity.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/08-10-19_10-50-11-AM.jpg

Snowy Escape:
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ekXbmp839LM/X7sPI6gEtII/AAAAAAAABHM/fgX_LIssyLoTINcJ6eIWjY0yV7UI8fnzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Snow%2BEscape%2BLiving%2BRoom%2BDisplay.jpg

5. A lot of buy content in the packs are totally random:

I can not find any logic in My First Pet Stuff for example. What can I built?
https://simsonline.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Sims-4-My-First-Pet-Stuff-Pack-build-items.jpg

I can not also fine any logic in Vintage Glamour for example. Ok. Two beds wow! New desk. Nice! But where is any chair for this desk or matching furnitures to finish the bedroom or living room in this pack? I am not sure for which room this pack is, because I feel like this collection is too small to build a bedroom or living room. I guess that the bedroom is the closest but what about another rooms?

https://s6.ifotos.pl/img/TS4VGS28I_qqwnxae.png

Why Dine Out has no furnitures for kitchen (open kitchen for example), but Vampires has whole set of cabinets and counters?

Why Snowy Escape has not closed version of new counters?

6. Island counters ALWAYS have wrong texture. Why?

7. Windows and doors from the same collection have different sizes. Unfortunately new patch does not help because doors are smaller and it is hard to put them higher.

Onverser
4 years ago
I really don't get the swatches in this game. If you're gonna go by a swatch system for things like woods surely it'd make sense to have a certain preset of 15 tones that just get applied to every item? That's what most custom content creators do so I really don't understand why the developers dont.

Even with the swatches they do add, why are so many of them so bright. We need more neutrals and muted tones. Sure bright colours are great for a kids room but most people probably don't want a bright green bookcase.
thespacemaid
4 years ago
I totally agree about the swatch issue I'm so tired of all these pieces of furniture that almost match but don't actually. It makes building and decorating such a challenge if I want everything to look cohesive. It's why I frequently stick to black/white/wood tones since they're the easiest to match and even THEN it's still hard to have matching wood tones ?

The window thing is also weird cuz like...it's literally the exact same window. The ones in Spa Day at least have a different tint to the glass but like....? I'm paying for this?

Out of both principle and spite I still refuse to buy MFPS haha. It's just so obvious from the furniture that it was supposed to come with Cats and Dogs and I just will not pay extra for something that was split up from another pack so blatantly.

I actually use the vintage stuff a lot in my builds... You can use table chairs as desk chairs so I never had a problem with that. I usually use that pack to build fancy bedrooms for my rich actor sims or just sims who have expensive tastes haha. I also love the globe bar it really comes in handy for a small space and I like the platter of drinks you can make. Also even though there are bugs with the butler I do like having one for my wealthy sims.

I do wish that Dine Out came with more kitchen things you're right it is pretty spare which is surprising for a dining pack... But I do use items from that pack a lot especially in my restaurants or just cluttering up my kitchens.

I still can't believe we didn't even get island counters in the set that came in a pack titled Island Living haha we got them later in an update. I like them a lot but yeah...more swatch problems...

AND YES about the size of windows and doors sometimes it just makes no sense to me. There are a few doors that are locked to the medium wall height but should still JUST fit on a small wall height and it's so frustrating. And then sometimes there's a set of windows/doors with different heights so you cant match them easily. I love TS4 build mode but things like this and the swatches really get on my nerves haha.
permanentrose537
Seasoned Adventurer
4 years ago
"Onverser;c-17742711" wrote:
I really don't get the swatches in this game. If you're gonna go by a swatch system for things like woods surely it'd make sense to have a certain preset of 15 tones that just get applied to every item? That's what most custom content creators do so I really don't understand why the developers dont.

YES! I agree, so frustrating to put things like windows up and the wooden color isn't an exact match. I really miss the create a style feature from the sims 3
Simmingal
Hero
4 years ago
thisss especially with the pack themes
and window

there is so many same looking boring item they add in to make the pack feel "bigger" when in reality its object from another pack or base game tweaked a little and doesn't even belong with the theme at all

build mode becomes huge mess when you have same item 10 times over

and then the new cool different looking windows and doors in pack lack sizes and swatches

id rather if they cant make new window theyd make different sizes of unique windows already in the pack

than again run to that base game door or window and change texture ever so slightly
crocobaura
Seasoned Ace
4 years ago
I have used most of the My First Pet Stuff and Vintage Glamour objects in my builds, some I used together some as accent pieces. Maybe we could start a thread on how to style some of these objects? I agree on the tall windows all being similar but not quite enough. What annoys me most about them is that they usually don't have a matching door.
Sthenastia
New Spectator
4 years ago
"crocobaura;c-17742769" wrote:
I have used most of the My First Pet Stuff and Vintage Glamour objects in my builds, some I used together some as accent pieces. Maybe we could start a thread on how to style some of these objects? I agree on the tall windows all being similar but not quite enough. What annoys me most about them is that they usually don't have a matching door.

I use the stuff for both packs also, but to be honest I need to use objects from another packs to complete one room, because it is impossible to do if you want to use only one. I like that furnitures but I totally have no idea what EA thought when they compiled the item list. It is ill-considered for me. I expect that Stuff Packs will have a full set to make at least one room or more. Tyni Living is closer to be better than anotherstuff packs, but I really miss some solutions for tiny bathroom or kitchen.

Examples:
https://sklep-archjudyta.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/pb104-hygie-wc-kombi-s-umyvatkem-int.jpg
https://modne-wnetrza.com/wp-content/uploads/15-9.png

https://regiodom.pl/portal/sites/regiodom/files/imagecache/755x/images/regiodompl/5/indukcyjne-plyty_modulowe.jpg?mv0en0
https://www.apollo.pl/gfx/apollo/_thumbs/sklep_oferta/000/048/777/713214_4,rH17n6ummWegVo8.jpg
imahulazombie
4 years ago
one of ts4 problems is the constant recycling and recolor of everything on the game. interactions, animations, furniture, etc. makes me concerned on how small is devs budget or how small is the sims team for how many corners they cut every single time. though, the swatches is something i don't understand. if they recycle half the game why not textures as well? does the textures get corrupted or something?
dianed485
New Scout
4 years ago
I couldn’t agree more !! There are often not enough swatches, counters and cabinets don’t match, they don’t even always have matching cabinets (how are we supposed to build a kitchen without cabinets ?!).

It would also be nice to have some counter options :

- Closed and open counter versions(Snowy escape),
- Drawers or doors versions of the same counter, as kitchens don’t usually have rows of identical counters......
Simmingal
Hero
4 years ago
"Dianesims;c-17742880" wrote:
- Drawers or doors versions of the same counter, as kitchens don’t usually have rows of identical counters......

woah i just now realized this is why sims kitchens always feel so off to me

its the doors + one drawer look

here its more common to have it like all drawers in same place cabinets in another part of kitchen

and due to just having the doors + drawer look you can't really do that
jess1z1
4 years ago
I agree so much. The swatches, having the exact same window in three packs, and "matching" windows and doors being different sizes annoy me so much. (Cabinets not matching counters annoys me in real life too lol #middleclassproblems). At least they did start giving us all-white and all-black for those who suck at color like me. And I'd forgive the couches if we could get at least one very versatile sectional.