After almost four years, I'm getting kind of bored with The Sims 4. I haven't played any DLC's from previous iterations, besides The Sims 1. So I won't be comparing The Sims 4 to previous iterations here, but rather treating it as a stand-alone game. I don't feel like comparing it to other iterations really ends up well and I don't need it to prove my point. I also want to say that I like most content in this game. The thing that doesn't make me buy more lately though is that there just is such a lack of content and new things to do that don't get repetitive. Same goes for building. We just get the same objects over and over, with a few exceptions, which makes building kind of tedious.A few examples here: In the beginning of 2015 we got Luxury Party Stuff. Later in the same year we got the second EP, Get Together. These are both packs centered around partying and young adults having fun. Basically we have one SP and one EP dedicated to partying. All of the stuff in the SP should have been added in Get Together.In the middle of 2016 we got Kids Room Stuff. A year later they released the Parenthood GP. Why not just make one big parenthood pack out of this (rethorical question)? We also got Toddler Stuff later that year, which all of these three together could have maybe been one big family EP with more stuff that require more complex animations, like swingsets, trampolines and bunkbeds, which the SP team doesn't have the budget to tackle. We probably will never see these objects with complex animations in this iteration.The third EP, City Living, was released at the end of 2016. Five months later EA released Bowling Night Stuff. Why were these two seperate? What city doesn't have bowling alleys? The same goes for the Dine Out GP. What city doesn't have restaurants? And also Vintage Glamour Stuff would fit just fine in City Living. In the end of 2017 we got the Cats and Dogs EP. In march 2018 we received My First Pet Stuff. Again, why wasn't this stuff in the EP already? The thing with this is that they are dragging certain themes out into multiple packs. IMO every theme should be done once and that's it. Players can select what they do or don't want though, so maybe that's a plus. But the biggest problem is: they leave no room at all for new themes to get a spot in this game. Simmers are still screaming for different themes that they want The Sims team to tackle, before The Sims 5 is released. But the way that things are going now, I don't ever see this game feeling finished. Getting the same kind of content over and over again is getting very repetitive and results in a boring game. There are just not a lot of different things to do. Every broad theme should be tackled just once. Just one family pack, one pets pack, one city pack (with all the things you can find in a city) and one partying pack. https://originassets.akamaized.net/content.ts4/images/55482/231.0x326.0/1030929_LB_231x326_en_US_%5E_2016-04-13-03-43-10_dfe5bff3340b0d24858f49734292b41f0770b84c.pnghttps://originassets.akamaized.net/content.ts4/images/55482/231.0x326.0/1034253_LB_231x326_en_GB_%5E_2017-08-02-22-20-28_1aaa55b7bd3a1ce37371ebb91e9b7a0dbaf435b1.png

I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.

@NickSims I absolutely agree. In all honesty, if that means we would have to wait a little longer for them to perfect MORE content that comes in a pack that is well put together like you suggested, then I can do that. IF time is a problem (Which I think that was the issue when they launched the base game and it was lacking content but who knows what it is now *apparently budget?*) Then, by all means, EA please take your time.@MidnightAura You point out some great facts. As a business, they make more money having them separate (Understandable in a business perspective), however, it looks like they're lowballing their consumers when they separate and don't bring strong content. Add in the fact that its separate teams working on packs so if one team doesn't add something, and that area is lacking, it's up to another team to try to pick up the slack (If they even choose to do so, in which Graham tried doing) making it look, again, like they're lowballing consumers. Something along those lines needs to be reevaluated.

I also wanted to add the only thing keeping me in the game right now is renovating all of the worlds. I'm not much of a builder (I build only when I'm truly in the mood lol) but my last save was so buggy with the vet career (amongst common annoyances others have experienced as well) plus the repetitiveness of the game I needed something new to do. So this my goal for now. As far as what I will do when I'm done. Who knows... Maybe I will try to play again... I'm just scared I'm going to get bored and stop playing again or get annoyed by bugs again. I really just want to get my money's worth out of it and right now I feel like I'm not.

Yes, I, unfortunately, have to agree. The Sims 4 has had intriguing concepts for packs, but I find they're lacking something that made the previous sims great. Perhaps it's because I find some of the packs a bit restrictive, in terms of storytelling and personal interpretation. I feel like I can't have the same connection to my sims like I did with the previous games. I hope that the future of the franchise allows players a bit more freedom, and doesn't restrict things into small packs that only offer one playstyle. Plus, the rate at which the packs are being made and the themes that are being created are a little disappointing, to say the least. I hope the franchise can overcome this (I hope this doesn't sound like I'm hating on the game - I just know it can be better). I hope this make sense. :/

"MidnightAura;c-16420060" wrote:I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.I hate to say this but they are trying to get more money from us. The constant breaking up content in other packs and recycling of objects and features is less work for them and the most money we have to pay. I'm just tired of it all really. Every pack dissapoints as a whole. Every pack has it's nice building items that I would like to have, but I have to restrain myself because the packs are all very expensive and I don't want to support this behaviour of releasing half-finished dlcs.

Constant dragging of certain themes

MidnightAura86
New Spectator
7 years ago
I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?

I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!

Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.

I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.
MsPigglyPooh
7 years ago
@NickSims I absolutely agree. In all honesty, if that means we would have to wait a little longer for them to perfect MORE content that comes in a pack that is well put together like you suggested, then I can do that. IF time is a problem (Which I think that was the issue when they launched the base game and it was lacking content but who knows what it is now *apparently budget?*) Then, by all means, EA please take your time.

@MidnightAura You point out some great facts. As a business, they make more money having them separate (Understandable in a business perspective), however, it looks like they're lowballing their consumers when they separate and don't bring strong content. Add in the fact that its separate teams working on packs so if one team doesn't add something, and that area is lacking, it's up to another team to try to pick up the slack (If they even choose to do so, in which Graham tried doing) making it look, again, like they're lowballing consumers. Something along those lines needs to be reevaluated.
MsPigglyPooh
7 years ago
I also wanted to add the only thing keeping me in the game right now is renovating all of the worlds. I'm not much of a builder (I build only when I'm truly in the mood lol) but my last save was so buggy with the vet career (amongst common annoyances others have experienced as well) plus the repetitiveness of the game I needed something new to do. So this my goal for now. As far as what I will do when I'm done. Who knows... Maybe I will try to play again... I'm just scared I'm going to get bored and stop playing again or get annoyed by bugs again. I really just want to get my money's worth out of it and right now I feel like I'm not.
AnessaSims
7 years ago
Yes, I, unfortunately, have to agree. The Sims 4 has had intriguing concepts for packs, but I find they're lacking something that made the previous sims great. Perhaps it's because I find some of the packs a bit restrictive, in terms of storytelling and personal interpretation. I feel like I can't have the same connection to my sims like I did with the previous games. I hope that the future of the franchise allows players a bit more freedom, and doesn't restrict things into small packs that only offer one playstyle. Plus, the rate at which the packs are being made and the themes that are being created are a little disappointing, to say the least. I hope the franchise can overcome this (I hope this doesn't sound like I'm hating on the game - I just know it can be better).

I hope this make sense. :/
SimmerNickYT
7 years ago
"MidnightAura;c-16420060" wrote:
I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?

I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!

Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.

I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.

I hate to say this but they are trying to get more money from us. The constant breaking up content in other packs and recycling of objects and features is less work for them and the most money we have to pay. I'm just tired of it all really. Every pack dissapoints as a whole. Every pack has it's nice building items that I would like to have, but I have to restrain myself because the packs are all very expensive and I don't want to support this behaviour of releasing half-finished dlcs.
MidnightAura86
New Spectator
7 years ago
"NickSims;c-16420138" wrote:
"MidnightAura;c-16420060" wrote:
I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?

I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!

Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.

I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.

I hate to say this but they are trying to get more money from us. The constant breaking up content in other packs and recycling of objects and features is less work for them and the most money we have to pay. I'm just tired of it all really. Every pack dissapoints as a whole. Every pack has it's nice building items that I would like to have, but I have to restrain myself because the packs are all very expensive and I don't want to support this behaviour of releasing half-finished dlcs.

Absolutely they are. Not saying I agree with i though! I know they are a business but this isn’t a practice I think that is in the best interest of the consumer. I can’t even say that under this model we are getting a ton of new game play to make it worth the money. But to each their own.
Writin_Reg
7 years ago
"paradiseplanet;c-16427552" wrote:
"MidnightAura;c-16420172" wrote:
"NickSims;c-16420138" wrote:
"MidnightAura;c-16420060" wrote:
I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?

I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!

Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.

I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.

I hate to say this but they are trying to get more money from us. The constant breaking up content in other packs and recycling of objects and features is less work for them and the most money we have to pay. I'm just tired of it all really. Every pack dissapoints as a whole. Every pack has it's nice building items that I would like to have, but I have to restrain myself because the packs are all very expensive and I don't want to support this behaviour of releasing half-finished dlcs.

Absolutely they are. Not saying I agree with i though! I know they are a business but this isn’t a practice I think that is in the best interest of the consumer. I can’t even say that under this model we are getting a ton of new game play to make it worth the money. But to each their own.

Well, it also doesn't help the fact that many of the consumer base want themes from older games translated into the latest iteration of the series (like Seasons) and so you'll probably get what you wanted but gutted out and separated into multiple different packs that tackle a certain portion of the overarching theme and then accentuate it to give the appearance that you're paying for your money's worth.

Also add to that it also cannot be just like it was done before. It all has to be different - and that is part of the issues - if all the great ideas were already used - that seriously limits what a new version can include. In repeated ideas it will always feel to be missing a lot because we had it before and now we don't - just because of the no copying rule they have to work under. The very things that upset a lot of players with C &D as it being missing - was actually a case of not being allowed to repeat exactly any of pets ideas done before.

Seems in order to make people happy with repeats pack types and know it is going to make people unhappy when it is not like it has been before is to not expect anything that came before - as they can't repeat. Maybe we all need to find new ideas and stop asking for past things if we want a lot more new things.
BeJaWa
7 years ago
My bigger issue is the clump releases of content. I've gotten to point where I just understand that themes are going to be broken up, but can we not dump all the family play or party play into one year? After Jan. 2017 I had 12ish months before I saw content not related to families or domestic life and that is just super boring to wait through as some one who doesn't love family play.

I think it would help alleviate some peoples boredom if they were given a variety of things to do in a year and others by them not having to wait for a long time to see something they want. That's just my thoughts though.
Writin_Reg
7 years ago
"BeJaWa;c-16427702" wrote:
My bigger issue is the clump releases of content. I've gotten to point where I just understand that themes are going to be broken up, but can we not dump all the family play or party play into one year? After Jan. 2017 I had 12ish months before I saw content not related to families or domestic life and that is just super boring to wait through as some one who doesn't love family play.

I think it would help alleviate some peoples boredom if they were given a variety of things to do in a year and others by them not having to wait for a long time to see something they want. That's just my thoughts though.

I see your point - but with many companies idea of a good work force all being on the same page - that may be difficult to people working on the same games in the same studio with the same animators, engineers, and programmers to have the design teams all working on very different designs and ideas. I can't say exactly I just know many studios are all about "getting with the flow" and "being on the same page". Don't forget most of EA's studios - entire studio is working on the overall game at the same time and does not involve a constant supply of new packs to build the game during it's lifetime like the Sims do. I have heard other studios say how hard it is to make the Sims games over any other games out there and why many developers want no part of that kind of game because of the mass dedication it requires - even if the players cannot see that side at all - you have to respect what they do when other developers outside of EA etc speak so highly of our developers and teams.

I really have no idea how that could change. This game takes huge teams of people working on this game and with different packs requiring different amounts of time and all - I would think there would still always be some over - lapping in pack types - especially when EPs alone take a year - but during that year - 2 or more gps are made and at least a half dozen sps - well there would have to be like packs or sims being the center of those attentions.

Then there is the fact the game is a life Simulation - and families are the heart of every person and of course every sim the most often in life and would be portrayed the same in a simulation. So I really cannot see how they could feasibly change that and not make someone unhappy. I know it took 3 years before I felt like it was about the family at all - and even though I play all kinds of Sims in the game - it still comes down to the family aspect of the game is very important to me.

I have no answers as to how it could be better for you really.

(Keep in mind we waited 3 years for toddlers and vamps - naturally my fav play styles are families and supernaturals)
SimmerNickYT
7 years ago
"Writin_Reg;c-16427686" wrote:
"paradiseplanet;c-16427552" wrote:
"MidnightAura;c-16420172" wrote:
"NickSims;c-16420138" wrote:
"MidnightAura;c-16420060" wrote:
I imagine most of this comes down to money. Why make one expansion with bowling, restaurants and no doubt future items when you can split them up and get more money?

I know, I know there are theee separate teams but that I think is a problem. Graham has said we can’t get sleeping bags nor bunk beds in a stuff pack so we are dependent on game packs of expansions to deliver. I hate paying for jigsaw puzzle pieces. Give me the jigsaw!

Amd I agree about your feelings about the game, I’ve been there for a while. I come back every so often, load up the game, play for at most 30 minutes and then go and play something else. It doesn’t captivate me the way I would expect and I loathe the dlc model. No offence to anyone that enjoys it.

I also agree that certain themes and patterns are being repeated all the time.

I hate to say this but they are trying to get more money from us. The constant breaking up content in other packs and recycling of objects and features is less work for them and the most money we have to pay. I'm just tired of it all really. Every pack dissapoints as a whole. Every pack has it's nice building items that I would like to have, but I have to restrain myself because the packs are all very expensive and I don't want to support this behaviour of releasing half-finished dlcs.

Absolutely they are. Not saying I agree with i though! I know they are a business but this isn’t a practice I think that is in the best interest of the consumer. I can’t even say that under this model we are getting a ton of new game play to make it worth the money. But to each their own.

Well, it also doesn't help the fact that many of the consumer base want themes from older games translated into the latest iteration of the series (like Seasons) and so you'll probably get what you wanted but gutted out and separated into multiple different packs that tackle a certain portion of the overarching theme and then accentuate it to give the appearance that you're paying for your money's worth.

Also add to that it also cannot be just like it was done before. It all has to be different - and that is part of the issues - if all the great ideas were already used - that seriously limits what a new version can include. In repeated ideas it will always feel to be missing a lot because we had it before and now we don't - just because of the no copying rule they have to work under. The very things that upset a lot of players with C &D as it being missing - was actually a case of not being allowed to repeat exactly any of pets ideas done before.

Seems in order to make people happy with repeats pack types and know it is going to make people unhappy when it is not like it has been before is to not expect anything that came before - as they can't repeat. Maybe we all need to find new ideas and stop asking for past things if we want a lot more new things.

The no copying rule makes sense, but instead of making the packs smaller to make it differ from previous iterations they have to fill it with even more content. That is how you make a worthy successor. It feels like all they have are excuses. Every iteration has to build on the previous one and I don't see that happening enough just because 'Things change'.