Great suggestions. Actually, this is pretty much how I prefer to play. I don’t wait for, or even want, the game to give me everything. I set up my Sim’s story then play it out in the game’s world. And I definitely use cheats to get them the skills they should have in the life stage they are in. Cheating in reward traits gives them some additional personality. I also create a friend group and cheat the friendship bars up, as well. Other friends come in through the game. I use money cheats to place them in the lifestyle needed for their character right at start. I also give my main sims unique personal clothing styles and reserve those wardrobe items for just them. That also contributes to their uniqueness and individuality.
One main suggestion I have would be to create sims with aspirations that go beyond those in game. For me, this makes the game activity have more depth. For example, I might have a young spellcaster who grew up on the run due to human rejection of magic, who finally makes their way to the Magic Realm. In-game aspiration would be to master magic, but the bigger aspiration would be to influence humans in a positive way to accept magic. This bigger aspiration helps to guide choices and continues to give them direction after the in-game aspiration is met. The larger aspiration helps with selecting new game aspirations, as well. For example, that Spellcaster might choose the “friend of the world” aspiration next, in order to have more influence, and the gameplay with this sim can then go in a new direction that is still consistent with their beginnings.
