Disclaimer: I wanted to focus on positives here because I feel there has been a lot of negativity recently surrounding the rebrand, which is totally valid, but I have been feeling overall positive about The Sims 4!Background: I have only been reliably playing The Sims 4 for about one month now and joined the forums within the past few months. Upon launch, The Sims 4 interested me until I started playing it. It lacked many things, including the toddler life stage. I put down the game until this year because of that.https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sims/images/8/8b/Ts4_beta_sc.pngSource: The Sims FandomUpon doing a little research, I found in this wiki article that The Sims 4 was originally an engine built for some type of successor to The Sims Online and was repurposed at the last minute. I feel that this is the best explanation for any lacking features, past or present. Maybe that is not news to you, but for me it actually allows me to forgive the game developers in the current moment. No need for me to carry a poor attitude five years in when there is some pretty positive things going on. Besides, as people we cannot change the past, so it is good to focus on what we can control going forward.For the game developers, I see some of that happening now. The numerous free updates, whether they have features that should have been included to begin with or not, have added so many game features for everyone. There is an incentive to play the game every time there is an update with new features because the game automatically gets better.https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sims/images/d/d6/TS4_EP6_Official_Screenshot_3.pngSource: The Sims FandomI also only recently bought some extra packs. I have to say, some of the packs really do augment the game in a great way. I am in love with the Get Famous expansion pack because it reminds me of The Sims: Superstar, allowing me a lot of interactivity and they overhauled the celebrity system from The Sims 3: Late Night. It makes me feel like it is not random anymore. There is a certain quality of immersion to it that is charming and makes me feel like it warrants a spot in The Sims series.The fact that the developers are going to continue with the game's development for longer means they have a chance to work out many errors and add many features (not even including any new types of packs which will be coming). By all means, continue to give your feedback because they should cater the game more to fans. But maybe, there is also more potential for the game that may actually be fulfilled. :)Examples for what may be capable: Expanded coloring and/or customization options (see: The Sims 4 Cats and Dogs) Expansion of features such as cars (see: added pools, basements, and toddlers). Expanded CAS sliders or features (see: CAS story mode, new CAS items, and CAS teeth)Are there cons? Definitely. Is the new rebrand questionable? Undoubtedly. But is there much more capable? Absolutely!

"Chazzzy;c-17170515" wrote:What does “the game was repurposed from The Sims online sequel” have to do with feeling positive about the game going forward? I’m not seeing a connection between these statements. Saying the game is the way that it is now because it was supposed to be a totally different type of game doesn’t make me feel better about the status of the game currently. You’re saying you feel some type of relief knowing this. Why does that give you relief?Because it would be more frustrating if the game that they released in 2014 was intentional rather than unintentional, as it is. Yeah, we have all heard how irritating it was that they left out toddlers or pools. But I imagine they didn't sit down in a room and go, "let's leave out the following features." Instead, it probably went more like, "The release is when? Oh, plumbobs. We'll do what we can, I guess."Also, while the details about The Sims 4's development is disappointing with the content left out in 2014, understanding why that is the case validates for me why they have to add extra free content. They need to add that to keep the game at all relevant because it has been seriously lacking for their fans. It was the only way to get me back. That doesn't mean it can't catch up to be a better game though.Hope that is more clear!Edit: edited for clarity (hopefully)

I'm very positive for it's future also and it's nice to see positive threads. I think the team is doing the best they can considering what they are working with. And who knows what other budgets and inside stuff they are also dealing with. I really do think they try to make us happy and I for one am very happy. It's not perfect but nothing ever is and at the end of the day it's just a video game.I'm honestly excited for future content though! I have no idea what people are doing in their game when they say there is nothing to do because I brought the jungle pack when it came out and have yet to explore the jungle. All because I've been so busy doing other things in the game I never get around to it all.I personally think things are only going to get better.

Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.

"Babykittyjade;c-17170616" wrote:Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody. That's an interesting take for EA that I have never heard of. Holding back content for fear of backlash? Their brand does seem to be fit for everyone in a careful way.On the other hand, having a burglar in the game (like we should) couldn't be nearly as bad as the mischief skill :D

I know about this since 2014 and that's why after 5 years I can't stan this game anymore. I srarted with hopes but I ended up HATING it (yeah, it seems too much but is true).

Feeling Positive for TS4's Future

zanyshane
6 years ago
"Chazzzy;c-17170515" wrote:
What does “the game was repurposed from The Sims online sequel” have to do with feeling positive about the game going forward? I’m not seeing a connection between these statements.

Saying the game is the way that it is now because it was supposed to be a totally different type of game doesn’t make me feel better about the status of the game currently. You’re saying you feel some type of relief knowing this. Why does that give you relief?

Because it would be more frustrating if the game that they released in 2014 was intentional rather than unintentional, as it is. Yeah, we have all heard how irritating it was that they left out toddlers or pools. But I imagine they didn't sit down in a room and go, "let's leave out the following features." Instead, it probably went more like, "The release is when? Oh, plumbobs. We'll do what we can, I guess."

Also, while the details about The Sims 4's development is disappointing with the content left out in 2014, understanding why that is the case validates for me why they have to add extra free content. They need to add that to keep the game at all relevant because it has been seriously lacking for their fans. It was the only way to get me back. That doesn't mean it can't catch up to be a better game though.

Hope that is more clear!

Edit: edited for clarity (hopefully)
Babykittyjade
Rising Observer
6 years ago
I'm very positive for it's future also and it's nice to see positive threads. I think the team is doing the best they can considering what they are working with. And who knows what other budgets and inside stuff they are also dealing with. I really do think they try to make us happy and I for one am very happy. It's not perfect but nothing ever is and at the end of the day it's just a video game.

I'm honestly excited for future content though! I have no idea what people are doing in their game when they say there is nothing to do because I brought the jungle pack when it came out and have yet to explore the jungle. All because I've been so busy doing other things in the game I never get around to it all.
I personally think things are only going to get better.
Babykittyjade
Rising Observer
6 years ago
Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.
Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.
zanyshane
6 years ago
"Babykittyjade;c-17170616" wrote:
Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.
Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.

That's an interesting take for EA that I have never heard of. Holding back content for fear of backlash? Their brand does seem to be fit for everyone in a careful way.

On the other hand, having a burglar in the game (like we should) couldn't be nearly as bad as the mischief skill :D
renato007rigin
6 years ago
I know about this since 2014 and that's why after 5 years I can't stan this game anymore. I srarted with hopes but I ended up HATING it (yeah, it seems too much but is true).
astridentanja
6 years ago
"Babykittyjade;c-17170616" wrote:
Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.
Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.

People have been asking for burglars from the very beginning, when EA themselves had decided to leave them out for whatever reason nobody knows. Fear of outrage can’t have been it, because the predecessors had them and I don’t remember anyone objecting to them, ever. What have you been doing with the jungle pack by the way, that you never got to exploring the jungle? I’d love to know because I bought it and I finished playing it in three hours. I’d love to know what I missed.
simgirl1010
Hero
6 years ago
"JoAnne65;c-17170930" wrote:
"Babykittyjade;c-17170616" wrote:
Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.
Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.

People have been asking for burglars from the very beginning, when EA themselves had decided to leave them out for whatever reason nobody knows. Fear of outrage can’t have been it, because the predecessors had them and I don’t remember anyone objecting to them, ever. What have you been doing with the jungle pack by the way, that you never got to exploring the jungle? I’d love to know because I bought it and I finished playing it in three hours. I’d love to know what I missed.

I believe she said she was so busy with other things in her game that she just hadn't had time to explore Jungle Adventure. Sort of like Get Famous for me. I'd planned on having my teen age up and become a famous actress but things happen. She's still a teen. ?
ck213
Seasoned Scout
6 years ago
I lot of us knew that from the beginning as it was like a big conspiracy theory for a while.

To me, the game is limping through its life cycle because of this.
The life cycle will be extended due to so many missing base game features.
This is great for people who absolutely love the series and want it to go on forever.

I am concerned that traits will be forever weak in this game and sims will never project the uniqueness of their traits, only the sameness of their emotions. This makes the sims themselves not so interesting to play. Nothing interesting happens on its own through the interaction of different personalities. You have to force things to happen. It's the heart and soul of the game to me and all the packs just a game play refresher. If EA address that, then my optimism for this game as a series will flip.

I loved what they did with Toddlers and Parenthood. I loved Spa Day and the Dine Out dining experience. I love the depth of Vampires. I love the size and variety of locations of Windenburg and the clubs mechanic has brought life to my sims since I can make social groups and choose where they hang out and what they do. Get famous brought some neat stuff. I had this cosplayer hobby going on in my game since City Living, because of GeekCon. Get Famous made that explode to new heights with all the content it provided.

But with the great stuff comes some disappointments:
Spoiler
Cats and Dogs brought a cool town, but I don't have my sims live there because of so many dirty and sick pets walking around.
It's a gross place to live. There were also all the dirty and rotten leave piles, but I heard that has been fixed. I still saw a bunch of leave piles in Windenburg, but at least they weren't rotting.

City Living is alright, but it doesn't allow me to make custom apartments and I can't have apartments in other worlds at all.
I don't believe many of my sims will live there. Probably just University students fresh out of Uni. Or going to University. I tend to have several sims from different household attend University together. If it's like TS3 instead of TS2, I will have to move them into the same household. I will use an apartment if this is the case. San Myshuno will be more of a place to visit for my other sims.

Get To Work is a cool idea, but I only enjoy the science career.
The hospital has very weak support staff and isn't all the fun to play for me, and I wish my other sims could go there for treatment instead of ordering a bottle of instant medicine. I don't play the detective career much after issues with identifying suspects. I haven't played it in a while though. Maybe things have been fixed. Owning a business is a bit underwhelming. Open for Business did it so much better in TS2, but considering the three active careers, that could be forgiven, but it's not that great for simmers who wanted a more Open for Business focused pack.

I like Get Famous, but I feel it is missing at least two more active careers.
Modeling, singing, bands? I think we are going to need another expansion or game packs to make up for that.
Also, the world is too small. And I feel all the worlds from here on out will feel too small.

Seasons brought what I needed: the immersion factor of seasonal weather.
I don't like that there isn't any depth to snow. It's just a flat texture.
Holidays were cool, but I tend to ignore them now and some are annoying.

Island Living is nice and relaxing and it's good for simmers who want to live in all destinations.
But I don't want my sims to live there. I want them to vacation there. You would think EA would make a small concession to simmers who want to play this way by allowing some lots to be bought as a vacation home. I had to create a work around by turning a Get To Work retail feature into a vacation home. Vacation homes are doable in Sulani, but it's not true vacation game play. Sulani culture could have used more depth and the should have been given their own dance. I wish mermaids were at least half as detail as vampires. They could use a few more powers.

With new content remaining to be created and fixing bugs,
I don't believe Maxis will have the time, staff, or budget to address the shortcomings and bugs of so many packs, let alone address all the work that would have to be done to make sims and their personalities stand out more. I don't believe they will overhaul traits and make them matter more, but I hope they at least give us a TS3-like bloom that gives us access to all their trait related socials instead of having to dig around for them.

This will help with bring out their personality instead of burying it.
It still doesn't bring out autonomous trait behaviors, but it helps in expressing their traits.

Just talking about the things I do like about the series raises my optimism,
but as you can see, I remain mixed. :D
astridentanja
6 years ago
"simgirl1010;c-17170957" wrote:
"JoAnne65;c-17170930" wrote:
"Babykittyjade;c-17170616" wrote:
Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.
Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.

People have been asking for burglars from the very beginning, when EA themselves had decided to leave them out for whatever reason nobody knows. Fear of outrage can’t have been it, because the predecessors had them and I don’t remember anyone objecting to them, ever. What have you been doing with the jungle pack by the way, that you never got to exploring the jungle? I’d love to know because I bought it and I finished playing it in three hours. I’d love to know what I missed.

I believe she said she was so busy with other things in her game that she just hadn't had time to explore Jungle Adventure. Sort of like Get Famous for me. I'd planned on having my teen age up and become a famous actress but things happen. She's still a teen. ?

Ah, yes, you’re probably right, my bad, I misunderstood. It’s indeed different when you’re totally into the game, instead of just focusing on one pack you buy I can imagine.
Babykittyjade
Rising Observer
6 years ago
"JoAnne65;c-17170930" wrote:
"Babykittyjade;c-17170616" wrote:
Oh I wanted to add that I honestly believe we would get even more content if it were not for people. Something I noticed recently is that people fly into this massive outrage over any and everything. And they are much more sensitive as well as entitled than they use to be. I believe EA or the sims team or whoever is in charge is afraid of the outrage and backlash so they hold back a lot of things.
Burgerlers are just one example. People were screaming its abuse or something. But if I were them I would be afraid too. It's like they have to walk on eggshells not to offend anybody.

People have been asking for burglars from the very beginning, when EA themselves had decided to leave them out for whatever reason nobody knows. Fear of outrage can’t have been it, because the predecessors had them and I don’t remember anyone objecting to them, ever. What have you been doing with the jungle pack by the way, that you never got to exploring the jungle? I’d love to know because I bought it and I finished playing it in three hours. I’d love to know what I missed.

Lol I mean I installed it yet my sims never traveled there. Between wedding planning, downloading days of cc, house designing, cas designing, meeting sims needs, trying to build and maintain my celebrity status, friendships, relationships, careers etc. I just have yet to get to it. It's on my vacation to do list though and I'm excited for it.