"LSM36;c-18218870" wrote:
"navyshades;c-18218862" wrote:
I just really want a pack that doesn't feel like a "one and done" situation. Expansion packs have generally been better in this sense than game packs, but when I look at recent EPs, they're increasingly falling into this pattern as well. eg. Snowy Escape... I sent my sims on a holiday, did all the things, and now it doesn't feel like there's a reason to go back and do it again. Same with High School Years. Most of the game packs are like this where there's a set objective/storyline to follow and then once you've done it once it doesn't really add to ongoing gameplay. The only game packs that really breaks this mould is Parenthood, which is one of my favourites, and perhaps occult packs since they can enhance everyday playing if you're into that (which I'm not particularly).
I just really hope that whatever we get in this EP translates well to all my save files/families and enhances gameplay in dynamic ways, rather than forcing the player down a predetermined route that doesn't offer much replay value. Some of the best additions in recent packs have been new systems such as memories, likes/dislikes, scenarios, etc. because they add depth and richness to gameplay without being prescriptive. I want to see more features like this.
For a Generations type pack, that could include a midlife crisis system, better family relationships with distinctive interactions, more complex/nuanced family dynamics, etc. One of my biggest gripes with the game in general that impacts gameplay constantly is the fact that all relationships except romantic ones are represented on a -100 to 100 friendship scale which is so simplistic. There's no differentiation between friendships, sibling relationships, etc. I would love to see a system where there might be strong familial love between siblings, but there is constant bickering and rivalry as well. Or friendships that fluctuate more quickly. Even if this was as simple as having some pop-ups like, "Your brother used your toothbrush. Gross! Do you a) punch him, b) talk it out, c) just buy a new toothbrush" and an accompanying moodlet that lasts a few in game days. Anything like that would help create more dynamic and realistic relationships.
One thing I'm sure we won't ever get but that I'd absolutely love would be selectable relationship traits (beyond just the automatic ones that are assigned like 'lovebirds'). There is already an existing system for automatic relationship traits, and there are individual character traits and lot traits, so why not relationship traits? Imagine having 2 kids in a household and being able to choose different relationship traits between the mother and those kids. Maybe the son is seen as the golden child but the relationship with the daughter is strained. That would then influence gameplay outcomes and would come with specific interactions/moodlets/etc. specific to that relationship. I would absolutely love some kind of system like this to add depth and realism, but like I said, I doubt we're going to get something like this unfortunately.
The relationship trait thing has like so much potential. On one hand, I can absolutely see that being used to cause more trauma to your sims/work out your own personal traumas through the relationships you create for your Sims. Especially if there's a "golden child" bc if they exist so too do the "black sheep" and "scapegoat", oftentimes as the same person. But it would make good storytelling. Can you imagine the Disney Princess Challenge if Cinderella actually was able to a real wicked stepmother? And had the trait that caused the stepmother to autonomously treat her poorly/cue up scenarios? That'd be intense.
Or on a more healed side, you could just more accurately depict relationships. Having siblings you love but don't like. Or ones you don't know that well bc they were born after your Sim moved out, so they aren't close in age or friendship, but love exists. Versus the ones who are siblings and best friends. Or become friends as adults.
Maybe we could finally get the game to recognize that you Can in fact have more than one best friend. Because the way you are friends is different depending on the person you're dealing with. And while you might be really good friends with like 2-20 other people; the only ones who are close enough to be called your best friends are these other 3 people that are in a whole different strata from the former.
And though I very much doubt they'll get this in the game any time soon, it would work so well with defining other types of relationships. If you could define the way you love, care, and feel affection for sims better in game, then that allows for easier definition of relationships that don't fit the standard. Like Polyamorous relationships, Queer Platonic relationships, Platonic life-partnerships, and any other dynamic that the game doesn't currently allow you to work with. Because labeling your Sim a player just so they can date 2 sims, and marry one of them isn't the best workaround. And rather reductive stereotyping. Especially since the requirements for that trait, if you complete it normally, require you to be a horrible romantic partner.
I really want polyamory in this. I swear, every time that I decide to just wait and see if the Sims team will get on that promised inclusion, and be patient, something happens and a new thing makes me hope.
Whether it's for the Pronouns to work better, and more options in the drop-down. Or, making a separate section in CAS for gender even if you leave the current top part of system as Birth Sex (preferably adding an option for intersex but I'm not an expert and they should probably talk to some intersex activists about the correct representation). To adding the rest of the sexual and romantic attraction options they promised; so that they can reflect a more accurate range for both and the complexities therein. And finally representation of disabilities in game. They've been working on adding ethnic/racial representation and added a bunch of pride flags. And that's great. But that doesn't mean there isn't more to hope for.
And the thing is family is a really fraught topic and theme in a lot of those things I mentioned. Familial ties are deep in Culture, affects how you are treated when you are disabled, how you are accepted if you are Queer, and Polyamory well you get the idea.
But I think currently the desire to, in the Sims, create a functional poly family is really strong (for me). With mods you used to be able to get some functionality. But between certain patches of the game, you can't anymore. You can date as many sims as you want if you have the "Player" trait. But you can only marry 1. You can cheat and have a gf/fiancé, that's cool. But try and have a functional relationship with everyone happy and together, or even just knowing about each other and the game causes issues. Random jealousy, ending relationships because you have too many, etc.
And then they created the "Loyal" trait as if in opposition to the previous one. You only love your partner. The one partner. And while it says you're loyal in All your relationships, it only lets you have the one romantic one. As if loyalty only exists in monogamy.
It's not a great message to send. The only kind of romantic style freedom you support is the messy kind where you don't care about your partner. But then might settle down. Or the kind where you are one and done for life. You can be Non-committal. You can be Flirty, Unflirty, or Loyal. But you can't be capable of being Loyal to more than one.
It'd be nice if this pack actually allowed for units that worked in ways different than the status quo.
The person I quoted in the quote of what I wrote had an idea for defining relationships beyond Lovebirds, BFFS etc. That would work really well. It could let you define the relationships you are in. Whether you are monoamorous but in a Situationship with that guy who dates the Caliente sisters. Or you decided to become a Triad with the Landgrabs.
Or just made a Sim and decided that they deserved love, and it turned out that instead of one Sim to be with until Grim came for them, it was 2. And they raise their kids together, and can afford all the bills bc they have a 3 person income household. Who knows?
But representation is really nice when you get it. And doesn't actually take anything away from anyone else to do so.
