I understand that "special" lots (the ruins, chalet gardens, and the island bluffs in Windenburg) are a part of the Sims team's effort to ingrain backstory and atmosphere in the game. However... the reality is that locking lots into such niche types is severely restrictive. These locked lots add little to no unique gameplay and limit our ability to create our own stories. I would love to to say that I understand why they did this, but frankly, I can't grasp the thought process behind decisions like these that ultimately limit player control and storytelling. I say it's time to free the lots. If you're going to give us an editable lot, we should be able to freely edit the lot type as well. I kindly request that these special lots be fully unlocked. We shouldn't have to rely on a mod for something so fundamental.

@Brandonstatez why do you want to unlock those lots?

100% agree. I created a royal family and I wanted them to live in the Von Haunt Estate. It is not possible. And that irks me very much.

THIS!especially i want to make von haunt and bluffs residential lots soooo bad like really what am i to do with mansion if i can't even live in it? my fancy rich sims wanna buy it.what do i do with some random pool ?when i could have cool witch tower instead? and witch living in it?seriously.also i hate how they put graffiti thing in bluffs bg cause really did you have to ruin my ancient fantasies with thatruins idk I feel like that i don't mind as much but i guess it would be nice to have like museum or something there

Would have been nice had EA ingrained backstory into 'Journey To Batuu'...but lots that can't be edited is nonsense. We should all have the freedom to create the world we want within the 'tabula rasa' of the Sims 4.

Oh please please please!!! One of the biggest frustrations ??? maybe I don't want a garden!! I've been using zerbu venue change mod but I would love for this to be official so that's one less mod to worry about.

Can Maxis please unlock "special" lots?

troshalom
5 years ago
@Brandonstatez why do you want to unlock those lots?
DoloresGrey
Seasoned Newcomer
5 years ago
100% agree. I created a royal family and I wanted them to live in the Von Haunt Estate. It is not possible. And that irks me very much.
Simmingal
Hero
5 years ago
THIS!

especially i want to make von haunt and bluffs residential lots soooo bad like really what am i to do with mansion if i can't even live in it? my fancy rich sims wanna buy it.

what do i do with some random pool ?when i could have cool witch tower instead? and witch living in it?

seriously.

also i hate how they put graffiti thing in bluffs bg cause really did you have to ruin my ancient fantasies with that

ruins idk I feel like that i don't mind as much but i guess it would be nice to have like museum or something there
Winter_Nightfir
5 years ago
Would have been nice had EA ingrained backstory into 'Journey To Batuu'...but lots that can't be edited is nonsense. We should all have the freedom to create the world we want within the 'tabula rasa' of the Sims 4.
Babykittyjade
New Observer
5 years ago
Oh please please please!!! One of the biggest frustrations ??? maybe I don't want a garden!! I've been using zerbu venue change mod but I would love for this to be official so that's one less mod to worry about.
dianed485
Seasoned Traveler
5 years ago
It makes sense for some lots to be locked, like the lab in Strangerville, because you couldn’t play the story properly without it .

But for others like the Von Haunt estate I don’t get why.
Winter_Nightfir
5 years ago
"Dianesims;c-17659606" wrote:
It makes sense for some lots to be locked, like the lab in Strangerville, because you couldn’t play the story properly without it .

But for others like the Von Haunt estate I don’t get why.

Absolutely agree...with a very story based pack you need constants. Interestingly, story based packs thus shut down and regulate the 'open world' of the Sims 4.
PaNDiee
Seasoned Newcomer
5 years ago
"troshalom;c-17659339" wrote:
@Brandonstatez why do you want to unlock those lots?

Why not? Options are always welcome
ayeffen
New Spectator
5 years ago
"Dianesims;c-17659606" wrote:
It makes sense for some lots to be locked, like the lab in Strangerville, because you couldn’t play the story properly without it .

This was the first thing that jumped to mind. I recently took a Sim through a temple in Selvadorada and realised how well constructed all of that experience was. I'm not saying Simmers aren't capable of making something like that, or even improving upon it - more that it would frustrate Simmers that might otherwise end up removing required mechanics without realising.

I assume that bb.enablefreebuild works on these lots anyway so those that want to could probably still make some changes should they wish to.
GroovyLady1968
5 years ago
What do you mean by unlock? You want to build? testingcheats on or true then BB.enablefreebuild
Never tried to change the lot type. I have to go check it out the next time I play.
I have built on all the hidden areas. Never tried it the temples though.