Hello, so I may or may not have a guess regarding Island Living. So, we know it lacks gameplay, however, it also introduces us to a culture - the Polynesian culture. I think representing a culture is a great thing, especially if people are like "oh the Polynesian islands are just for tourism" and ignore the culture. It raises awareness that Polynesia (and Sulani) shall not be treated as a tourism attraction place and rather to treat it seriously. Albeit it shouldn't be an expansion pack, but rather a game pack, do you think this pack was made to focus much more on the culture rather than gameplay? If I had said anything offensive or illogical, then please let me know and I'll fix my wording and take notes.

The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)

To the OP, yes. When people have complained that the pack doesn’t have resorts, I have always upheld the idea that the pack is more about the indigenous culture of the Pacific Islands rather than the rank commercialization of Western tourism. I’m glad it doesn’t have touristy development. However, there is more gameplay that could have been included without violating that cultural identity, such as better development of the mermaids, surfing, etc.

I agree that the pack is about presenting a non-commercialized version of a Polynesian island locale. It's also sort of a blank slate for the player to get what they want from the world. Personally, I've left a lot of it as its own autonomous place and designated a lot where I built my own version of a restaurant/hotel/spa that the islanders in my game permitted. I find it to be an interesting pack. Someone who wants to can take the culture out and turn it all into beach tourism - honestly, it's your game, do whatever you want. I do think it's interesting that it does have a totally different culture though. Chilling out is also essentially part of that culture so sims who go and relax are kind of respecting that.I'm all for letting people play however they want and like seeing more options for activities but I've had a lot of fun with this one. I've kept a lot of the pre-mades as a tribe of locals who selectively give visas so it's easy to visit but hard to live there unless they want you. I also created a shipwrecked character who ended up being hilarious because he fell in love with a woman living in the shack by the volcano and on their wedding day, they won the lottery. So, they moved to Lani St. Taz where I downloaded them a luxury beach mansion on short notice but they still dress a bit like they are shipwrecked. They ended up having two sets of twins so they have a bunch of kids now but they're a lot of fun. I was going to have them get by on selling shells. I also have an island princess growing up in the Hoapili family in what was the palace of the island. There's also some drama among the other households but the pre-mades are nearly all part of the indigenous tribe in my game, so when I play that world, I do keep elements of the locals hanging onto their land and managing the development.It's a gorgeous world and you can decide how much of the culture to keep or you can make it all vacation pads for your own sims. I think that's reflective of real debates in places like Hawaii, but it is set up so you can be open-ended which I like. I do send a lot of honeymooners there, mostly to one lot on Key Point that I made the tourism spot. They can swim across to the waterfalls and explore the surrounding lesser developed islands without loading screens. Since I have a restaurant and beds/baths, they can stay as long as they want.

"LatinaBunny;c-18034375" wrote:The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)Yeah same I think an underwater lot would have added a lot. The pack is really focused on a specific lifestyle so it doesn't translate well to other worlds but I don't mind packs like that.

"LatinaBunny;c-18034375" wrote:The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)Personally, I'm 50/50 on them taking out the houseboats. While they're a unique and a cool idea, they also lag the game (from my experience with IP).

Island Living Realization | EA Forums

LatinaBunny
New Spectator
3 years ago
The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)
cyncie
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
To the OP, yes. When people have complained that the pack doesn’t have resorts, I have always upheld the idea that the pack is more about the indigenous culture of the Pacific Islands rather than the rank commercialization of Western tourism. I’m glad it doesn’t have touristy development. However, there is more gameplay that could have been included without violating that cultural identity, such as better development of the mermaids, surfing, etc.
ChampandGirlie
New Spectator
3 years ago
I agree that the pack is about presenting a non-commercialized version of a Polynesian island locale. It's also sort of a blank slate for the player to get what they want from the world. Personally, I've left a lot of it as its own autonomous place and designated a lot where I built my own version of a restaurant/hotel/spa that the islanders in my game permitted. I find it to be an interesting pack. Someone who wants to can take the culture out and turn it all into beach tourism - honestly, it's your game, do whatever you want. I do think it's interesting that it does have a totally different culture though. Chilling out is also essentially part of that culture so sims who go and relax are kind of respecting that.

I'm all for letting people play however they want and like seeing more options for activities but I've had a lot of fun with this one. I've kept a lot of the pre-mades as a tribe of locals who selectively give visas so it's easy to visit but hard to live there unless they want you. I also created a shipwrecked character who ended up being hilarious because he fell in love with a woman living in the shack by the volcano and on their wedding day, they won the lottery. So, they moved to Lani St. Taz where I downloaded them a luxury beach mansion on short notice but they still dress a bit like they are shipwrecked. They ended up having two sets of twins so they have a bunch of kids now but they're a lot of fun. I was going to have them get by on selling shells.

I also have an island princess growing up in the Hoapili family in what was the palace of the island. There's also some drama among the other households but the pre-mades are nearly all part of the indigenous tribe in my game, so when I play that world, I do keep elements of the locals hanging onto their land and managing the development.

It's a gorgeous world and you can decide how much of the culture to keep or you can make it all vacation pads for your own sims. I think that's reflective of real debates in places like Hawaii, but it is set up so you can be open-ended which I like. I do send a lot of honeymooners there, mostly to one lot on Key Point that I made the tourism spot. They can swim across to the waterfalls and explore the surrounding lesser developed islands without loading screens. Since I have a restaurant and beds/baths, they can stay as long as they want.
kaiwryplays
3 years ago
"LatinaBunny;c-18034375" wrote:
The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)

Yeah same I think an underwater lot would have added a lot. The pack is really focused on a specific lifestyle so it doesn't translate well to other worlds but I don't mind packs like that.
intellectualism
3 years ago
"LatinaBunny;c-18034375" wrote:
The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)

Personally, I'm 50/50 on them taking out the houseboats. While they're a unique and a cool idea, they also lag the game (from my experience with IP).
LatinaBunny
New Spectator
3 years ago
"sulfurstyless;c-18034414" wrote:
"LatinaBunny;c-18034375" wrote:
The only things I felt the pack was lacking in were the mermaids, which need more fleshing out, and having no underwater exploration like Sims 3. (I also missed houseboats.)

Personally, I'm 50/50 on them taking out the houseboats. While they're a unique and a cool idea, they also lag the game (from my experience with IP).

Oh, yeah, that’s true! ?

I had to install certain mods to make sure my Sims 3 game worked more smoothly, yeah…
crocobaura
Seasoned Ace
3 years ago
I can understand the lack of hotels, but I cannot understand the lack of hammocks, hula dancing, or surfing. There should also have been a canoe or a raft to transport an entire family over the water. Some local songs would also have been nice for sims to sing around the fire when they get together.
kaiwryplays
3 years ago
"crocobaura;c-18034468" wrote:
I can understand the lack of hotels, but I cannot understand the lack of hammocks, hula dancing, or surfing. There should also have been a canoe or a raft to transport an entire family over the water. Some local songs would also have been nice for sims to sing around the fire when they get together.

Oh I think a new dance style would have been fun for sure like in Selvadorada
SheriSim
Seasoned Hotshot
3 years ago
I wish you could see when people went diving, and I wish the part time life guard and fishing job had been active rather than just a rabbit hole. But other than that, I think the pack feels fairly complete. There is beach combing, sunbathing, castle making, shell collecting, jet skiing, wind sailing/fishing on the boat, easy going festivals ( which we should have had on the calendar ), part time/errand work, and then whatever other types of lots that you want. I made the shipwrecked lot into a shipwrecked/nightclub lot with a bottom floor a bnb with small kitchen and a small living room dining room, bed and bathrooms…. It looks kind of like a haunted ship on the bottom with candles. It has park stuff outside, and towels for sunbathing. I also have a ship:restaurant at a dock. The lot by the volcano is a base for the marine biologist, or a rental. It is a relaxing, fun vacation spot for my sims….. not real commercialized.
cyncie
Seasoned Veteran
3 years ago
"crocobaura;c-18034468" wrote:
I can understand the lack of hotels, but I cannot understand the lack of hammocks, hula dancing, or surfing. There should also have been a canoe or a raft to transport an entire family over the water. Some local songs would also have been nice for sims to sing around the fire when they get together.

This. And ukulele.