Disabilites, Maybe?

"AmTk86;c-17181776" wrote:
I think a way to handle mental illness or non visible conditions (like blindness or deafness) is adding a separate “trait panel” similar to the gender option panel with a list of symptoms rather than actual illnesses. This allows the player to customize to fit whatever symptoms they or the character they’re attempting to portray has and avoids stereotyping a whole disorder.

This is a really good suggestion. It could even be something like: Does the Sim use a cane while walking? Does the Sim speak and sign/gesture or just sign/gesture? Do they listen to music? Do they read books with their eyes or their fingers? Things that more represent a list of adaptations and then decide for yourself what your Sim would use and why.

traits=bad idea not going to happen

"Raevyn;c-17182462" wrote:
In all honesty, i think even letting elders use a walking stick (not just elders but anyone teen and up) with a unique walk style would be a good start.

This is the only thing I could actually see them adding, since they added canes with Sims 3. It only changes walk and interactions slightly.

"katrinasforest;c-17182852" wrote:

"AmTk86;c-17181776" wrote:
I think a way to handle mental illness or non visible conditions (like blindness or deafness) is adding a separate “trait panel” similar to the gender option panel with a list of symptoms rather than actual illnesses. This allows the player to customize to fit whatever symptoms they or the character they’re attempting to portray has and avoids stereotyping a whole disorder.

This is a really good suggestion. It could even be something like: Does the Sim use a cane while walking? Does the Sim speak and sign/gesture or just sign/gesture? Do they listen to music? Do they read books with their eyes or their fingers? Things that more represent a list of adaptations and then decide for yourself what your Sim would use and why.

I like this! In this way it works almost like the gender customization we have now (which aren't "traits" in the UI, but are traits in the way the mechanics work).

If in the sim info you could just pop it open in a similar way, and choose - how does the sim read? how does the sim talk? how do others talk to the sim? does the sim listen to music? does the sim watch tv? how quickly does each need deteriorate? how quickly does this sim gain skills? how does affect the sims skill gain/mood? add canes and walkers to the walkstyles (and, ideally, wheelchairs, but the game would need major revamping for that), etc.

That plus the deco objects (hearing aids, prosthetics, etc), and you've got a lot of options for disability without ever naming a single disability by name, so no fear of misrepresenting any specific illness. And it's all optional, so people who don't want it don't ever have to click those options.

I already suggested adding disabilities similar to the gender update. Page 2. https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17162326/#Comment_17162326

The Sims, at the end of the day, is a life simulator - a game that simulates life. I can understand people's perspectives on all sides of the argument, but at the end of the day, each player is going to want things for the game that others do not care about, and find unnecessary (such as Toddlers, Terrain Tools, and Ethnically-diverse Clothing and Hair), to things people will be blatantly against (Trans Sims, Cross Dressing, and Religiously-related Objects).

I agree that The Sims doesn't have to fully emulate life, there are things I don't want in my game, but we have to keep in mind that our opinions are not universal. Some people with, or without disabilities may not like the addition to the game, whether it's due to not wanting something that would make their game too 'real', don't want potential misinformation or inaccuracy in the depiction of a disability/mental illness, or feel they would do a bad job at adding it, or play the Sims to escape this part of reality etc.

On the other hand, there are people who love realism, even if it's something seen as 'grim' or 'scary', people who want to be able to tell stories that incorporate adversity on a larger scale, and people who suffer from disabilities and want to see themselves as they are.

The Sims community is diverse and full of so many different whims, and I don't envy the Gurus having to make these big decisions because you'll upset people either way, but at the end of the day, every player's wants for the game is valid, and should be taken into account (to an extent, of course).

We already have pretty controversial things in the game (not solely from my perspective, but perspective of people I've talked to, or seen comment these) such as Child Deaths, Aliens who impregnate Sims without their consent, Sabotaging, Home Wrecking, Child/Pet/Plant Neglect, Rubbish Pollution, Homelessness, Forced Schooling, Cross Dressing, Gender Identity, Traits that allude to Mental Illnesses, etc. and people continually make mods that add a lot of similar things.

At the end of the day, if they add disabilities, they're still not going to please everyone, just as if they don't add disabilities, but if they ever do, those who don't want it in their game, can just ignore it if that's what they so wish ?

Seconded with the above post. It will take many custom animations and custom AI to make Sims with disabilities work, at least if we're talking about Sims in wheelchairs, for example. All of this would require genuine effort to be put into the game and you know that ain't going to happen.

"AHolyToilet;c-17190073" wrote:
Seconded with the above post. It will take many custom animations and custom AI to make Sims with disabilities work, at least if we're talking about Sims in wheelchairs, for example. All of this would require genuine effort to be put into the game and you know that ain't going to happen.

Surely, the Sims team has already considered what it would take to add wheelchairs. Yet, they explored the idea anyway, so anything could happen.

I hope this doesn’t happen I don’t want my game reminding me of my limitations.

"leo3487;c-17193956" wrote:

"doogerie;c-17193906" wrote:
I hope this doesn’t happen I don’t want my game reminding me of my limitations.

Its The Sims
Of course will be a cure, and depends disability, would be different way of cure.
Could be surgerical (some few, as no walk) or a magical medicine (Ambrosia or a medicine purchased with Satisfaction points)

The idea that people with disabilities need to be "cured" is a controversial concept in some communities, and if the dev team is doing their research, they'll know this.

I'm guessing they will simply have the option for it to exist or not exist in the game, rather than to force it in and provide a magical "cure."