Does this pack feels like PSa ?

"LiELF;c-17507564" wrote:

"filipomel;c-17507395" wrote:
If you think about it, being environmentally conscious is kind of an important thing in modern human life. Is it really that strange that a life simulator is diving into an extremely important area of modern human life?

I would argue caring about the environment is just as much a part of life as pets are, or the seasons, etc.

Yes, it's an important part of reality. Definitely.

But my problem here, is that the Sims 4 clings too much to reality in the wrong ways. Yes, the Sims games have always been life simulators. But not in the PSA way that Sims 4 has been. Not in the ultra socially conscious way it has been promoted. Past Sims games weren't preachy or Utopian. They were more tongue-in-cheek and laughably true to reality in satirical ways. The Sims 4, while childishly goofy with its poop jokes and humor, also takes itself way too seriously with its "message to the people of the world" and tries too hard to rack up those social points with young groups.

In a way, it's like being parented by my video game. Like the company doesn't trust its players to play "the right way" in their own games. So instead of taking a humorous, casual, neutral stance on content and gameplay, they push the DLC to weigh heavily on this "live the best life in your game for everyone, whether you like it or not", propaganda. Always sending a "feel good" message and tying it into the kind of realism that sometimes oppresses. Why even use the tag line, "play your way"? Clearly, they don't want us to anymore.

This pack, if it were made in the Sim 2 days (and yes, I'm going to go there, to memory lane), would have looked a lot different. Here's a few ideas on how I think it might have been done with the little bit of information we have:

It would come with a regular town, not dirty or shiny, that would start to get littered on (probably by lots). You could choose to clean up or let it get worse. Sims would react to their environment depending on their personalities. Some might autonomously clean, while messier Sims would ignore or add to it. The Environment needs would drop on most Sims who were surrounded by trash, but those who were slobs wouldn't be as bothered. They certainly wouldn't be celebrating and playing in the trash, "happy" that things are dirty. Neater Sims might complain. Sloppy Sims could rummage in the trash and find things. Flies and roaches would accumulate in areas where the garbage was left too long. Sims could call the Exterminator to clear the bugs out, just leaving the trash. Police might fine or arrest Sims for littering. Pollution would cause Sims to get ill faster. Illness could lead to death. Sims might also have a breakdown from the stress of it. Cleaning certain amounts of litter might have achievements. Allowing the area to decay into a trash zone would lead to chaos and miserable Sims. Mean Sims could set trash fires. Firemen could be called to put them out. Pollution could possibly be controlled in varying levels or with cheats.

New hobbies would come with new animations and not be gigantic machinery. Sims could sell all new products in their retail stores. Solar panels would affect bills. Children and teens could be advised/taught to be clean or messy and get personality points from it, which would affect how they grow up. Kids might play in dumpsters and have big hygiene drops and find broken toys. Toddlers might get into and play with trash and, if ignored, risk being taken away. Sims might trip and fall on garbage and get upset. The build/buy would include the ability to create "low income" housing.

The community voting could have a positive or negative effect. Not just on what "nice" thing to build there, but depending on the player's actions, the Sim's personality, and how they chose to communicate with other Sims. If a non-played Sim didn't like the outcome, they would come knock over some trash barrels or be a nuisance and have a relationship drop. They might sneak onto the lot and sabotage something. This would continue until the player's Sim worked to improve the relationship with that Sim. (Or player could choose to let it continue and make enemies, start fights.)

Anyway. My point is that the pack wouldn't be about sending a message. It would be about balanced gameplay that put the fate of the Sims' world in the player's hands. For good or ill. And the diverse personalities of the Sims 2 would dictate how each Sim would react (or not react.) It would still be an Eco pack without the PSA.

Thank you! If the pack was like you describe.It would be awesome, and would be a game experience.But it's not ,it's like there trying to use a game to insight morals.