So having just come back from seeing a YouTube video based on sim guru grants twitter reply to a question about the idea of sims having a disability in game, I wanted to know what YOU, The simmers, had to say this subject. Also, if they were to add such a feature to the game, what would you want to see? Or not want to, if There were options. How would your sims live and what would the feature entail? How would family and friends be around that sim? Would the disabilities be mental? physical? Both? Would there be a toggle option? Should certain disabilities, as in real life, greatly affect how they go along their day to day? Should, like in real life, there be machines and objects constructable to make that sim or those sims, able to go further? If you want this feature, what would you WANT to see and WHY do you want it? If you don’t want this feature, WHY and WHAT about it makes you uncomfortable? Let’s keep this civil and nice, every simmers thoughts and ideas are respected, all I ask is that we keep in tune with each other and avoid arguments, if you don’t like this thread, you can easily walk away and rid yourself of the upsetting content, there’s no need to attack other gamers. On the topic personal wants for the game, this subject is interesting and personally, a want, I like my game to be as real as possible so obviously the idea of a sim or sims appearing with physical, mental or perhaps simply internal or external differences are a must, also I myself suffer with an ever present arm injury as well as anxiety and PTSD, so as to watch a sim version of myself or even watch a sim like myself, in a similar condition or mindset, is somewhat comforting, or would be, as I am still accepting myself in my circumstance, I would like to see how a sim goes about this as well, th struggles, ups and downs, self acceptance and perseverance or simply lack of will to continue on because they themselves feel so downtrodden and unwell they experience the urge to lay in bed all day and heal that way. When I saw these tweets and answers and YouTube videos a little lightbulb went off in my head, as much as I’m excited for university life or the upcoming gamepacks consisting of what have you, the idea of disabilities and having my sims be even more real than they have been the last four years brings me more joy and relief than seasons, pets and whatever else is planned for the future as again, it brings forth a realism that is hard to accept but also very grounding. Maybe that’s not for you, but for me, it’s a feature I feel the sims needs, but that’s just my feeling. So I leave you to comment, again, please respect each other and myself, everyone here is listened to and if anything upsets or unsettles you, the exit is that way and there are cookies on the table, take as many as you’d like. Have a good day and happy simming ❤️

I don't feel good about the idea of having mental issues in my game simply because I don't think TS4 can pull it off properly. Let's say they actually add depression into the game - Everyone experiences it differently. And I can only imagine they would give depressed Sims a constant sad moodlet or let them gain fitness slower and these things don't happen for everyone who suffers from depression. I really don't think they can do it justice. On the other hand I do like the idea of physical disabilities, like needing glasses, a wheelchair, only having one arm or leg etc. I think it's easier to pull that off because it's all "just" based on animations. (I'm not sure how much I want emotions involved with it.)I would like to see lifts for wheelchairs on stairs, eye tests and the need for glasses (or contact lenses if you don't want your Sim to wear glasses), crutches, bionic arms and legs, guide dogs for blind/visually impaired people etc. I never really thought much about disabilities in Sims games so these are only my immediate thoughts.

I honestly hope this is dlc and not a patch so that it is optional. I'm not against people with disabilities at all, I have "worked" with them in my life, but this is a video game, this is the sims, and I don't really see the need to have disabilities in my game, I honestly find it ridiculous to push this level of realism in a video game. It doesn't feel right to have sims with mental illness and genetic diseases for the sake of "representation" or tokenism, a lot of these people don't even play any sort of video games, a lot can't, so who's even asking for this, in their place? It's another extreme unnecessary "feature" EA is pushing to get more sales and a better political view. I don't need a gay flag in the game to feel good or "represented", in fact I'd be mad if EA put it in the game, it would put a political shadow in it. TS4 worries more about representation and that single angry person who tweeted something political about the game, rather than actual new gameplay features and on being a good game.I do see some people asking for this, but are those people the ones who can't see? Who can't stay sitting in a chair for more than 5 minutes? Who will have seizures or beat themselves until they bleed over the smallest noise? Who don't even know where they are or who they are with? These things are serious.I also think putting wheelchairs for elders in the game is of bad taste. I have seen how frustrated a lot of those people are, how sad they are because they don't have strength to walk anymore, or have lost limbs over diseases like diabetes, how frustrating it is to be in a bed all day, sometimes not even knowing where you are. Some of those people do smile, which brings me some life, but they need a person to always take care of them, they are dependant. I just don't think this layer of realism should go into this game. Will elders in wheelchairs have bladder catheters?A lot of "children" ask for these things because it's somehow "hip and cool" and realistic and brings "representation" to the game, reality is somewhat different. I understand that there's a whole slate of people, who happen to have physical disabilities, that are dependant on representation on anything they find ahead of them, but things aren't that simple and a lot of stuff needs to be taken in consideration.And then again, I just don't think it's of taste to put these things on TS4, especially when it comes to mental illnesses, or at least not force them on everyone.

I really don't want any mental disabilities-- and I can't imagine EA putting that in, given how sensitive the subject is. I would like some physical disabilities, though. I'd like to have sims who walk with a cane, sims who use a wheelchair, and maybe blind/mute/deaf sims.

also, it'd be great if with this patch they'd add a tag to glasses that makes it so they don't get treated like accessories and get removed when sims wear situation outfits or club outfits. Makeup stays but my sims with glasses suddenly get contacts?!

I agree with mental disabilities. I’d really rather they didn’t do that because I just think it’s to sensitive of a subject and as someone else said everyone experiences them differently. I feel like physical disabilities would be interesting in the game though. I’d be interested to see how they did this but I feel it could work.

Disability feature: The Why’s & Why Not’s, and if so, How?

hiabara
7 years ago
I don't feel good about the idea of having mental issues in my game simply because I don't think TS4 can pull it off properly.
Let's say they actually add depression into the game - Everyone experiences it differently. And I can only imagine they would give depressed Sims a constant sad moodlet or let them gain fitness slower and these things don't happen for everyone who suffers from depression. I really don't think they can do it justice.

On the other hand I do like the idea of physical disabilities, like needing glasses, a wheelchair, only having one arm or leg etc. I think it's easier to pull that off because it's all "just" based on animations. (I'm not sure how much I want emotions involved with it.)
I would like to see lifts for wheelchairs on stairs, eye tests and the need for glasses (or contact lenses if you don't want your Sim to wear glasses), crutches, bionic arms and legs, guide dogs for blind/visually impaired people etc.

I never really thought much about disabilities in Sims games so these are only my immediate thoughts.
Sigzy05
7 years ago
I honestly hope this is dlc and not a patch so that it is optional. I'm not against people with disabilities at all, I have "worked" with them in my life, but this is a video game, this is the sims, and I don't really see the need to have disabilities in my game, I honestly find it ridiculous to push this level of realism in a video game. It doesn't feel right to have sims with mental illness and genetic diseases for the sake of "representation" or tokenism, a lot of these people don't even play any sort of video games, a lot can't, so who's even asking for this, in their place? It's another extreme unnecessary "feature" EA is pushing to get more sales and a better political view. I don't need a gay flag in the game to feel good or "represented", in fact I'd be mad if EA put it in the game, it would put a political shadow in it. TS4 worries more about representation and that single angry person who tweeted something political about the game, rather than actual new gameplay features and on being a good game.

I do see some people asking for this, but are those people the ones who can't see? Who can't stay sitting in a chair for more than 5 minutes? Who will have seizures or beat themselves until they bleed over the smallest noise? Who don't even know where they are or who they are with? These things are serious.

I also think putting wheelchairs for elders in the game is of bad taste. I have seen how frustrated a lot of those people are, how sad they are because they don't have strength to walk anymore, or have lost limbs over diseases like diabetes, how frustrating it is to be in a bed all day, sometimes not even knowing where you are. Some of those people do smile, which brings me some life, but they need a person to always take care of them, they are dependant. I just don't think this layer of realism should go into this game. Will elders in wheelchairs have bladder catheters?

A lot of "children" ask for these things because it's somehow "hip and cool" and realistic and brings "representation" to the game, reality is somewhat different. I understand that there's a whole slate of people, who happen to have physical disabilities, that are dependant on representation on anything they find ahead of them, but things aren't that simple and a lot of stuff needs to be taken in consideration.

And then again, I just don't think it's of taste to put these things on TS4, especially when it comes to mental illnesses, or at least not force them on everyone.
DreamaDove
7 years ago
I really don't want any mental disabilities-- and I can't imagine EA putting that in, given how sensitive the subject is. I would like some physical disabilities, though. I'd like to have sims who walk with a cane, sims who use a wheelchair, and maybe blind/mute/deaf sims.
DreamaDove
7 years ago
also, it'd be great if with this patch they'd add a tag to glasses that makes it so they don't get treated like accessories and get removed when sims wear situation outfits or club outfits. Makeup stays but my sims with glasses suddenly get contacts?!
akl1226
New Spectator
7 years ago
I agree with mental disabilities. I’d really rather they didn’t do that because I just think it’s to sensitive of a subject and as someone else said everyone experiences them differently. I feel like physical disabilities would be interesting in the game though. I’d be interested to see how they did this but I feel it could work.
pinneduphair
New Spectator
7 years ago
"wormstache999;c-16719222" wrote:
I don't feel good about the idea of having mental issues in my game simply because I don't think TS4 can pull it off properly.
Let's say they actually add depression into the game - Everyone experiences it differently. And I can only imagine they would give depressed Sims a constant sad moodlet or let them gain fitness slower and these things don't happen for everyone who suffers from depression. I really don't think they can do it justice.

I agree, mental issues are too varying to be done right in a game. And honestly, when I play The Sims, I want to get away from anxiety. I think seeing Sims struggle with mental disorders would take away from the escapism. I don't love the "everything's perfect all the time" vibe that TS4 tends to have, and would like to see more ways things can 'go wrong', but mental disorders hit too close to home.

I'm not going to give an opinion in regard to physical disabilities though, as I don't have personal experience to speak from.
astridentanja
7 years ago
@Sigzy05 Read the OP and while scrolling down, thinking of a way to respond to this, bumped into your comment and now I don't need to anymore, you worded it perfectly (and on top of that very respectfully) afaic.
Cinebar
7 years ago
"DreamaDove;c-16719315" wrote:
I really don't want any mental disabilities-- and I can't imagine EA putting that in, given how sensitive the subject is. I would like some physical disabilities, though. I'd like to have sims who walk with a cane, sims who use a wheelchair, and maybe blind/mute/deaf sims.

TS2 and TS3 had mental disabilites and traits. If a Sim in TS2 doesn't get their wants filled or you fill some fears, they see a silly looking thearpist no one else can see (but you can) and other Sims do the crazy sign when they see that Sim in aspiration failure. So, it's not like EA wouldn't ever put in some mental disabilities. And TS3 has the insane trait. Where Sims do silly stuff, irratic stuff, and dress inapprorately such as pjs out in public, the wrong outfit and formals etc. It's not like Maxis never did it before. ETA: And I will say in my opinion Sims have OCD by rolling the same wants, whims over and over and obsessed with some objects.

I really wouldn't want anything very serious, because if we can't laugh at ourselves, then we are going to have a very hard life. I now call myself Skeletor. (physcial) but I will let people wonder why. lol
PlayMyWizard
New Spectator
7 years ago
"Cinebar;c-16719414" wrote:
TS2 and TS3 had mental disabilites and traits. If a Sim in TS2 doesn't get their wants filled or you fill some fears, they see a silly looking thearpist no one else can see (but you can) and other Sims do the crazy sign when they see that Sim in aspiration failure. So, it's not like EA wouldn't ever put in some mental disabilities. And TS3 has the insane trait. Where Sims do silly stuff, irratic stuff, and dress inapprorately such as pjs out in public, the wrong outfit and formals etc. It's not like Maxis never did it before. ETA: And I will say in my opinion Sims have OCD by rolling the same wants, whims over and over and obsessed with some objects.

TS4 used to have the Insane trait. It got renamed to Erratic, for reasons that probably have to do with people being upset at Insane sims making light of mental illness. The Gloomy trait mimics a lot of ideas people have about depression. Those traits are easy to overlook because that's an issue with TS4 traits in general. But the options do exist in the game.

Anyways, my big thoughts are:

Disabilities would require a massive amount of animator time to make work - we're talking GP if not full EP amounts of work - for sims who at best function identically to normal sims and at worst can't do as much as other sims. The opportunity cost of making a pack without new gameplay (compared to taking those same resources to make a pack that does) is not something I see EA being interested in, or the sims team being able to justify.
If we're being honest, we know that many players would use disability either as a character's whole shtick ("lol my sim is crazy"), or inflict disabilities as punishments. I guarantee you that the first time someone says "I don't like this sim so I made them disabled" (except probably using language that would be plummed out here) it'd cause a PR nightmare. The sims team knows that'll happen, and I don't blame them for not wanting to step in that.
Cinebar
7 years ago
I know some want this to represent themselves. However, I saw a young man coming off a street that was very steep, on a homemade skate board, made of a 2x4 with only one tiny wheel in center underneath. He didn't have a torso, at all. His body ended mid chest. He also had a duffle bag tied to this very narrow board. We turned around to see if we could give this young man a ride but he was already gone. Sorry, that's not something I would want in a game. I mean he doesn't even have a torso, only arms. I don't know how he survives. Sorry, no, that literally changed my life and views forever. ETA: No matter what I go through, there is always something worse. And I don't want this exploited by games.

We all have our issues and behave out of the so called norm, often. That is as far as I would be willing to go, as TS2 and TS3 handled disabilities. Anything else, custom content is handy.