Alright, this post isn't meant to attack anyone who's anti occult or doesn't want fantasy aspects in their game but I just want to address some major point the majority of them make when they tell us to play fantasy games instead of the sims.1. The reason I play the sims is because it allows me to do things the majority of most games don't allow me to do. You can create houses, create people give them jobs raise a family. Design what they look like, go to college, etc. Name me one other game that reciprocates that. Exactly just the sims, and what's wrong if I want to incorporate some fantasy aspects into it. Maybe I'd like a family full of werewolves who are athletes or fairies who are gardeners, how about a spellcaster who is an evil scientist as well?2. "why do you want dark things like werewolves, zombies, etc in the game anyway" Well I don't see why not, real life is just as dark if not darker and who said they need to be dark or scary? I wouldn't mind some goofy sim friendly zombies in my game who eat faux vegan brain substitutes.(I'm vegan btw) We're not asking for blood and gore in the game lmao.3. "I don't want fantasy stuff in my life simulation game" That's perfectly fine believe me as someone who's an occult enjoyer even I get annoyed at seeing ghosts who just died calling my sim on the phone every 15 minutes to inform me they became best friends with Bob Pancakes. What's the solution to this you may ask? Simple don't buy occult packs if you don't want fantasy in your game so let us have that werewolf, fairy and dragon gamepack sometime in the future EA. Or at least create a toggle to delete all fantasy aspects of the game for those who don't want it.My purpose of this post isn't to attack those who don't like occult stuff for the sims, but to express why those of us want it, Skryim, WOW, none of those games allow us to do things we can do in the sims. The majority of us just want a cuddly werewolf and pretty fairy family to play with.

While this topic goes back and forth a lot, I think it reduces pretty simply: sims players are diverse and because that all content is not for all people.Me for example? Love occults, hate story progression/neighborhood stories. Love the Sims, but these last few months of content have given me no reason to play. Does it feel good? No. Is it okay? Yes, because others wanted this kind of stuff and I can turn it off. Even the horrific bugs that came with it (and I was afraid of) I cannot get too upset about since it is basically part of the process at this point.Long story short, we all just need to be a little tolerant of each other's interest and preferences. I dare say most people are!

There’s this odd perception by some that the “game should meet my needs and my needs only.” I don’t know if it’s because the game is so highly customizable that it becomes extremely personal, but some people can’t seem to see that there are just as many ways to play this game as there are players, and the game developers can’t cater to any single person’s preferences. What I want in the game might not be what others want, but my wanting it isn’t wrong. The Sims has a long history of supernatural gameplay, and there’s no reason those of us who enjoy it shouldn’t have it in our game. The problem isn’t wanting something different. The problem is when you want to deny others the ability to play the game their way and go on social media or forums to loudly complain “No one asked for this! Literally no one!” When, in fact, others actually did ask for it. Just not you.I don’t play romance or generational families, so when Weddings came out, I knew I didn’t want it. Whatever should I do? EA released a pack I don’t want! The horror! What I did: I skipped it. What I didn’t do: I didn’t flood social media or the forum with rants about how useless this was for me, and rob those who wanted it of their enjoyment of the game (bugs not withstanding). What I also do: continue to advocate for more fantasy play elements. Politely. As for supernatural gameplay leading to a dark and overly grim game, that’s not how it’s been in the past and I doubt it will ever go there. I know there are fantasy players who create darker elements in their personal games, which is totally up to them. But, in the main, Sims supernatural has always been like the game in general: a little darkness, but with a touch of whimsy and humor to offset it.Besides, with the supernatural elements coming in their own packs, there’s a really easy way to prevent them from showing up in your game. Do what I did with Weddings and skip it.

The "but why do want that in your game anyway?" bit is judgemental, and another way of saying, "what's wrong with you, why aren't you like me?" And the answer to that is, "why does it bother you if everyone isn't like you?" I could just as easily say ask them how an excitement level akin to Mister Roger's Neighborhood is even tolerable let alone fun, because that would drive me bonkers, I didn't even like it as a kid. But that would ignore the fact that different people have different motivations and what's fun for one, is boring for another, and my excitement might be someone else's upsetting material.Agreed, that throwing shade is just a mark of immaturity.

I don't think it's so much an issue of there being occults in game as how they are implemented. Zombies in TS3 were obnoxious and there was no escaping them. I like how they approach the occults in TS4, I don't play with magic and the only sign of there being magic in the game is some random sims falling off their broom every once in a while.

Sometimes Ive seen simmers say that "we dont need occults because this is supposed to be a real life simulator game" and I have 2 things to say about that. First of all, where exactly does it say that TS is "real life" simulator? Its just a "life simulator". You can simulate ANY kind of life you want your sim to live. Whether it be a happy family of 4 living in suburbia or an alien from Sixam looking for love in the big city. 2nd of all, for something that's supposed to simulate "real life" there's a whole lot of things going on that isnt exactly realistic. A vampire showing up at your door? Okay that doesnt happen irl, but you know what else doesnt happen irl? Being able to get a job at the hospital and be able to work your way up to Chief of Staff without having stepped foot in medical school. But I dont really see simmers clamoring for a university degree be required to even see level 3 in some of these careers. But oh sure, every occult's gotta get the nerf because "iTs NoT ReALisTiC". How is that fair to simmers who wanted, expected and PAID for occult content only for it to end up getting nerfed and/or receiving underwhelming gameplay? Im certainly not demanding for child sims to quit asking their parents for useless advice every other hour.

How I feel towards the majority of anti-occult players

Bluebell23456
3 years ago
While this topic goes back and forth a lot, I think it reduces pretty simply: sims players are diverse and because that all content is not for all people.

Me for example? Love occults, hate story progression/neighborhood stories. Love the Sims, but these last few months of content have given me no reason to play. Does it feel good? No. Is it okay? Yes, because others wanted this kind of stuff and I can turn it off. Even the horrific bugs that came with it (and I was afraid of) I cannot get too upset about since it is basically part of the process at this point.

Long story short, we all just need to be a little tolerant of each other's interest and preferences. I dare say most people are!
cyncie
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
There’s this odd perception by some that the “game should meet my needs and my needs only.” I don’t know if it’s because the game is so highly customizable that it becomes extremely personal, but some people can’t seem to see that there are just as many ways to play this game as there are players, and the game developers can’t cater to any single person’s preferences. What I want in the game might not be what others want, but my wanting it isn’t wrong. The Sims has a long history of supernatural gameplay, and there’s no reason those of us who enjoy it shouldn’t have it in our game. The problem isn’t wanting something different. The problem is when you want to deny others the ability to play the game their way and go on social media or forums to loudly complain “No one asked for this! Literally no one!” When, in fact, others actually did ask for it. Just not you.

I don’t play romance or generational families, so when Weddings came out, I knew I didn’t want it. Whatever should I do? EA released a pack I don’t want! The horror! What I did: I skipped it. What I didn’t do: I didn’t flood social media or the forum with rants about how useless this was for me, and rob those who wanted it of their enjoyment of the game (bugs not withstanding). What I also do: continue to advocate for more fantasy play elements. Politely.

As for supernatural gameplay leading to a dark and overly grim game, that’s not how it’s been in the past and I doubt it will ever go there. I know there are fantasy players who create darker elements in their personal games, which is totally up to them. But, in the main, Sims supernatural has always been like the game in general: a little darkness, but with a touch of whimsy and humor to offset it.

Besides, with the supernatural elements coming in their own packs, there’s a really easy way to prevent them from showing up in your game. Do what I did with Weddings and skip it.
ignominiusrex
3 years ago
The "but why do want that in your game anyway?" bit is judgemental, and another way of saying, "what's wrong with you, why aren't you like me?" And the answer to that is, "why does it bother you if everyone isn't like you?"

I could just as easily say ask them how an excitement level akin to Mister Roger's Neighborhood is even tolerable let alone fun, because that would drive me bonkers, I didn't even like it as a kid. But that would ignore the fact that different people have different motivations and what's fun for one, is boring for another, and my excitement might be someone else's upsetting material.

Agreed, that throwing shade is just a mark of immaturity.
crocobaura
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
I don't think it's so much an issue of there being occults in game as how they are implemented. Zombies in TS3 were obnoxious and there was no escaping them. I like how they approach the occults in TS4, I don't play with magic and the only sign of there being magic in the game is some random sims falling off their broom every once in a while.
InuMiroLover
New Spectator
3 years ago
Sometimes Ive seen simmers say that "we dont need occults because this is supposed to be a real life simulator game" and I have 2 things to say about that. First of all, where exactly does it say that TS is "real life" simulator? Its just a "life simulator". You can simulate ANY kind of life you want your sim to live. Whether it be a happy family of 4 living in suburbia or an alien from Sixam looking for love in the big city.

2nd of all, for something that's supposed to simulate "real life" there's a whole lot of things going on that isnt exactly realistic. A vampire showing up at your door? Okay that doesnt happen irl, but you know what else doesnt happen irl? Being able to get a job at the hospital and be able to work your way up to Chief of Staff without having stepped foot in medical school. But I dont really see simmers clamoring for a university degree be required to even see level 3 in some of these careers. But oh sure, every occult's gotta get the nerf because "iTs NoT ReALisTiC". How is that fair to simmers who wanted, expected and PAID for occult content only for it to end up getting nerfed and/or receiving underwhelming gameplay? Im certainly not demanding for child sims to quit asking their parents for useless advice every other hour.
barisaxy
Seasoned Newcomer
3 years ago
"Gecko420;d-998638" wrote:
1. The reason I play the sims is because it allows me to do things the majority of most games don't allow me to do. You can create houses, create people give them jobs raise a family. Design what they look like, go to college, etc. Name me one other game that reciprocates that. Exactly just the sims, and what's wrong if I want to incorporate some fantasy aspects into it. Maybe I'd like a family full of werewolves who are athletes or fairies who are gardeners, how about a spellcaster who is an evil scientist as well?

I guess the thing is actually the point you were making... Lol. The Sims is a series that does what no other series does. The life simulation aspect of it is nowhere else. That makes me prefer the game focus on that.

Like zombies? Zombies in video games are a dime a dozen. They're literally everywhere. It's so cliche. A decade ago it was so prominent it was annoying.

But I'm not out here necessarily complaining when supernatural stuff comes into the game. I have no problem with it here and there. It's okay to have some fantasy. But I do personally think with The Sims being the only life simulator, when it doesn't focus on that it is a bit disappointing.

It's not like there isn't quite a bit of supernatural stuff in The Sims 4 already. In fact, there have been numerous packs dedicated to supernatural stuff. People act like it's been so sidelined, but the problem is that The Sims 4 is pretty much lacking in every category and everyone feels sidelined.
VWoodsong
Seasoned Observer
3 years ago
"BariSaxy;c-18085147" wrote:

It's not like there isn't quite a bit of supernatural stuff in The Sims 4 already. In fact, there have been numerous packs dedicated to supernatural stuff. People act like it's been so sidelined, but the problem is that The Sims 4 is pretty much lacking in every category and everyone feels sidelined.

If by "numerous packs dedicated to supernatural stuff" you mean 3 (Vampires, Realm of Magic, Paranomal) -- or 4 if you count Spooky Stuff -- out of a total of 50 packs released so far for Sims 4, you're right. Even if we also throw in those dedicated more to sci-fi flavored fantasy (Strangerville, Batuu), that only gives us a possible total of up to 6 dedicated to their themes. The remaining bits of fantasy/sci-fi are exactly that -- bits inside something else. I absolutely agree with you on the latter part of your comment, though. Recently it seems like many different kinds of players have felt a drought in terms of things of interest to their particular tastes.
Simsilikesims
3 years ago
I just wish some of the ghosts were friendly and would leave gifts behind for you like flowers and crystals at random, or even a doll or music box. Kind of like a monster loot drop, only without having to fight and win the loot. Maybe you would actually have to befriend them to give you the gift. Better yet, the loot dropped could be used in crafting, like making lamps, flooring, nectar barrels, and decor. Funny that Sims 4 has a hidden mine, but you cannot do anything with it, not even ore and crystals to make wands with.

I’d also like to see exclusive recipes, or special decorations, or cooked dishes arrive in the mail the first time you befriend an NPC or default household that comes with the game, one recipe per NPC. Stardew valley does that, but so could Sims 4. For instance, if you befriend Linus in Stardew, he gives you his special fish bait recipe, or if you befriend Granny, she gives you her cookie recipe.

Maybe Bella Goth could give you a special nail polish, or Nancy Landgraab could give you a jeweled bracelet or “borrowed” diamond necklace, Judith Ward could give you a wig that functions like a hat, Mr. Fabulous could give you a hand mirror, vlad could give you a free Vampire skill book, and Johnny Zest could give you an album. .

Those of us who like RPGs tend to be more into the mystical I think.
Simsilikesims
3 years ago
Other special gift ideas: free skill books, coffee punch cards, free coffee pot, free tea set, skin cream clutter, joy buzzer, top hat, feather boa, pocket watch, chainsaw sculpture, death flowers, set of toddler blocks, functional flute, decorative sword decoration in glass case, exclusive bar drink recipe that can be made by lev 2 and up, or one time VIP access pass to bypass the fame door without fame once only: once in, and once out, or for one Sim day before it ends.
Bmm209
3 years ago
So what are realistic players suppsed to say in response to this thread?

Idc what occult they add to the game as long as its opt-in / tied to its own dlc. I hated how Sims 2 nightlife came with vampires. That has nothing to do with the big city. Or in Seasons came with witches. Im glad Sims 3 brought toggles.

I don't think you should buy a occult focused dlc then complain, thats stupid. But its fair to argue you dont want an occult and good to make toggles or opt-in options in game.

My reply based on the Sims franchise as a whole, not just TS4