This is so incredibly disappointing.
I suppose that, if there's ever a TS5, EA will convince the community that snow isn't required at all. Hang some decorations and call it winter. "You didn't need that nasty old snow, anyway. Just pretend!"
It's shameful how many fundamentals have gone missing in this game: accumulating snow; accessible oceans; infant cribs; infants; blended families that are recognized as such; distinct and unique age groups; ghosts that act like ghosts; Sims that react like they've seen a ghost (or a Vampire, for that matter); romantic intimacy such as making out (for real) while standing, sitting, or in bed; snuggling in bed; spooning in bed; relaxing in bed; reading in bed; watching television in bed; lounge chairs; diving boards; doorbells; landline phones; newspapers; food processors; working cash registers; Sims that buy goods, line up for the cash register, and then get the heck out; Sims that will stay sitting when you tell them to sit and stay standing when you tell them to stand; Sims that will continue tasks until we tell them to stop or until there is a pressing biological need; Sims that will finish a task before moving onto the next task on the queue; Sims that know the difference between a friend and an enemy; Sims who won't arbitrarily cheat unless directed to by the player or from the pressure of an inherent trait; Sims who can experience the gamut of emotions, including fear; Smarter Sims, period.
All of these things have gone missing and more. Meanwhile EA keeps right on spinning, "Don't worry, this will be the best version of X ever!"
What happened to the series that used to make history and break records? It's a ghost of itself, hollowed out on the inside, and covered in glitter. Now, they've started removing the glitter, too.