Discover University: SimGuru/Maxis-Sourced Info

OBJECTS AND BUILD/BUY

Active Objects

There's a homework notebook object and a presentation board for presentations - @icmnfrsh re. the Livestream

Bicycles
https://twitter.com/ElisabethMarieF/status/1187757154276724738 https://twitter.com/SimGuruPopcorn/status/1187907787088515072
https://twitter.com/SimGuruFrost/status/1191987900591722496
https://twitter.com/LlamaSimsNews/status/1192903248400863239 - from the Livestream
Re. children: https://twitter.com/TheBoyXp/status/1192900898336497664
Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

Do bikes have limited routing? Can they be ridden wherever Sims can walk?
Bikes can be ridden anywhere if there is sufficient space. There are rules for your sim automatically using a bike when routing similar to how sims run but you can always use it intentionally wherever you would like

Do bikes disappear into your inventory or do they stay parked on the lot?
Bikes are automatically put into your inventory when dismounting but can also be Live Dragged from your inventory and used when in the world.

Will kids and toddlers have bike options?
No

Table Tennis/Ping Pong
Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse :

Can kids play ping pong?
No

Juice Pong
Juice Keg

Robots Servos
https://twitter.com/SimGuruFrost/status/1186673347016318976
https://twitter.com/daniel_willyan/status/1186743010945617921 https://twitter.com/SimGuruFrost/status/1187069258343141376

SERVO IS A CONTROLLABLE LIFESTATE!!! YAY!! You can reprogram traits and even appearance! - @alan650111 re. the Livestream

- You can build and activate a servo. You can initialize it as male or female. No nonbinary options, sorry :grimace:
- Servos are not waterproof, like the TS2 ones
- You also have minor robots like the fixer, party, cleaning, and gardening bots, similar to the TS2 OFB bot-building station. And they're also not waterproof, so they don't mix with rain - @icmnfrsh re. the Livestream

- https://twitter.com/LlamaSimsNews/status/1192901054863683585 https://twitter.com/LlamaSimsNews/status/1192899053920477184 - from the Livestream
https://twitter.com/SimGuruAzure/status/1192960791172939776

Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

Will the robot take up a household slot? Or does it work like the butler and nanny?
When Servo is activated they are added to your household, and will take up a household slot.

Can your sim date / woohoo a robot ?
Yes. Date, Marry, Woohoo, Divorce, etc. Important to note that Servos do not procreate.

Can we protest against robots taking over the world?
Nope

What are the prosthetics/robot arms?
The Robo-Arm is not a prosthetic. It’s robotic wearable tech that Sims can make at the Robotics Workstation. It helps them craft faster and protects them from injuries while working at the table.

Are the drones in DU different than the ones in GF?
In DU, Sims can craft Utili-Bots and RC Quadcopters at the Robotics Workstation. RC Quadcopters are toys that Sims can fly around and play with. Utili-Bots are mini robots that help Sims around the house by cleaning, gardening, repairing objects, playing music, and serving food at parties.

If you woohoo with a robot in the shower, would the robot die of woohoo or water?
Water

Does the robot suit have any gameplay?
There are many tech wearables (Robo-Arm, ExoMech Suit, etc) that Sims can craft at the Robotics workstation. They all have special in-game functionality. Example: The Robo-Arm shortens crafting time and the ExoMech suit and helmet help your Sims gain certain skills faster and allow them to enable a hover mode walk style.

Storage Chest
From the Livestream: https://twitter.com/Iron_Cgull/status/1192883081600020481
https://twitter.com/SimGuruAzure/status/1192956650031706112

Build Mode

Toilet Stalls

Showers:
https://twitter.com/SimsTias/status/1192886762697351169 - from the Livestream

Columns
https://twitter.com/SimGuruNinja/status/1191765250745327617

Variable (draggable) height columns are available in the patch. This is available for existing base game columns - @icmnfrsh re. the Livestream

Elevators
Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

Can we use elevators outside of the university lots?
Elevators function very much the same as those in City Living, so you will only be able to use them on Penthouse lots. There are two Penthouse lots in each University neighbourhood

How will we be able to place elevators?
You will be able to place Elevators the same way they work in City Living.They will only be available on Penthouse Lots, but you will also be able to mix and match with City Living objects.

Dorms

- University housing works like CL apartments. They're locked and some have shell exteriors. ... university housing is a new lot type that you can set. You have to set it to either Foxbury or Britechester. You can introduce gender restrictions, and student org affiliations. - @icmnfrsh re. the Livestream

https://twitter.com/Iron_Cgull/status/1192897116949143554 - from the Livestream

Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

Are the dorm rooms built like apartments (where they will be uploaded to the gallery as a room vs a lot)?
University Housing a venue type so it will be like a Library or a Restaurant. There are 4 new penthouse styled lots, which function like most regular lots.

Not sure if this was also asked, but, are dorms gonna be like apartments where the walls that lead to exterior can't be edited but interior ones can?
While Sims live in University Housing you will not be able to enter Build Buy on those lots. After sims have moved out, if there are no more household sims you will be able to change the lot again. However if you use the bb.enablefreebuild cheat you will be able to enter Build Buy if you really want to change something.

Are the dorms like the CL apartments?
There are two Penthouse lots in each University Neighborhood, but not apartments. University Housing will have some restrictions while Played sims are living on that lot.

Upon looking at real life dorms I found that a lot of dorms had commons in the same building with full kitchens. Are we able to have full kitchens in dorms?
While fridges, mini-fridges, microwaves, and other visual kitchen items may be used in university housing, stoves, grills, and other fire hazards are disallowed, meaning that no lot zoned as university housing can have a true full kitchen.
no full kitchen - not even with cheats?
NOT EVEN WITH CHEATS. The university board didn’t approve fire code cheats. In seriousness, though, you can live at home with a full kitchen and go to university and advertise for roommates, or you can place down a cafeteria station when building your dorm. So there should still be ways to tell the story of living in pseudo-university-housing with a kitchen, but just not the official lot type.

Is 'University Housing' a useable lot trait or specific to the two penthouse buildings?
You can have a University Housing lot on any lot in any world.

Are the lot traits for University Housing locked for the particular lots they are on now (the penthouses), or can we change them to residentials?
University Housing is a Venue type so you can make almost any lot University Housing. All of the University Housing that we have shipped with the game can be changed into residentials or other venue types. If a household is living in University Housing you will have to evict them before you can enter Build Buy to change the lot type.

Can we create/build university housing lot types in other worlds?
Yes, you can create University Housing in other worlds.

From the Livestream: There's a Student Commons venue https://twitter.com/Iron_Cgull/status/1192884454815125505

Lot Traits
Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

Are there new lot traits/sim traits? What new aspirations and will we be getting?
We have two new Lot Traits. One is Study Spot which helps your sims gain skills faster. The other is University Student Hang Out, which encourages University Students to hang out there and the drinks and food are often cheaper there.

Cafeteria Station
Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

How does the cafeteria bar work? Like market stalls? Can our sims work there for extra cash? What foods does it serve? Are there specific meal times? Are the prices student friendly?
The Cafeteria Station is located on each University in the respective Student Commons. While on these lots or University Housing students will be able to eat for free. The station will only be open at certain times of the day, so pay attention to not miss dinner. The station can also be placed on a home lot like a market stall and be staffed for any other lots. There are a variety of meals that are on a set schedule while at University, but when placed on other lots you will be able to choose the menu for a small price.

MiniFridge
Game Changer Q&A via @AlbaWaterhouse (Q&A was provided by the Game Changer Program and SimGuru/Maxis Studio):

Are vending machines returning?
This pack does not have a new vending machine but it does have a mini fridge you can purchase at the kiosk on campus. You can also put a microwave on top. Other food options are food stalls around campus and student commons. Sometimes your roommate may bring food home too. Free food why not.

Do mini fridges serve as full functioning fridges or act as coolers do?
Mini fridges will have quick meals like cereal, instant noodles, pizza rolls and burritos. There are also canned drink you can get.

Do mini fridges slide in to counters?
No

Speaking of the new mini fridge. I've seen it standalone with a microwave on top, but can we also place it underneath counters?
No they do not go under counters
To add on: Mini-fridges do work like fully functioning fridges on normal residential lots. All fridges, while in university housing, have additional rules that make them less functional, mainly due to the cooking/full kitchen restrictions.

Can you only place microwaves on top of mini-fridges, or can you place other things there too, like coffee makers etc?
You can place Microwaves or Coffee Makers, as well as some decorations.