With Growing Together we're getting a new lot category, and the Rec Center actually has me excited.But now that we had the live stream, I started wondering what is actually the features of the Rec Center lot?I only know that our sim can go there to mentor a painting class, probably much like the yoga instructing.We have seen elders play table games, but I guess they could do that in a regular park, too?We've seen a variety of "services" like a playing room for infants/toddlers?, reading nook, playground, activity objects etc. But as far as I know all of those can be used on other lot categories, too.So - please share - what is special with the Rec Center lot that we won't get at other lots? I'll still build rec centers in several of my worlds, and I plan additions not seen yet, but can I combine some of them with other lot categories without losing out on much functionality?

"Simmerville;d-1006860" wrote:With Growing Together we're getting a new lot category, and the Rec Center actually has me excited.But now that we had the live stream, I started wondering what is actually the features of the Rec Center lot?I only know that our sim can go there to mentor a painting class, probably much like the yoga instructing.We have seen elders play table games, but I guess they could do that in a regular park, too?We've seen a variety of "services" like a playing room for infants/toddlers?, reading nook, playground, activity objects etc. But as far as I know all of those can be used on other lot categories, too.So - please share - what is special with the Rec Center lot that we won't get at other lots? I'll still build rec centers in several of my worlds, and I plan additions not seen yet, but can I combine some of them with other lot categories without losing out on much functionality?To be honest, I feel that this has been a problem with community lots since mid Sims 2. There isn't really that much unique about them. I realised this in Bon Voyage when you could complete like half your travel guide without ever having to leave your home as they were tied to objects available in the home catalogue. I miss the days of the Sims 1 and early Sims 2 where you HAD to go to community lots to engage with shops, services and NPCs you couldn't do at home. In TS1 you could do stuff like buy clothes, cooking ingredients, quest for magical ingredients, go on picnics, go to a carnival and play games, go dining or get quick bites to eat. There were unique NPCs who offered unique services. It feels like the only purpose to go to a community lot in TS3 and 4 is to talk to other Sims, especially true for libraries, museums, gyms and bars that don't really offer that much gameplay that you can't do at home. They are just hangout lots where Sims are more inclined to do a specific activity. And given that people essentially just hang out outside your home all day, there isn't really any need at all visit a community lot at all.

"LeGardePourpre;c-18236025" wrote:It's a place where the NPC townies must play games (table)Of course Card game is still disabled, they won't do this autonomously.This is because you can't play cards solo, you need at least one other sim to play with you.

You can also add gym equipment to the recreation center. Frankly to me it appears like they just updated the arts academy lot type to include gym and games. I guess we'll need to wait and see what the lot requirements are and what other objects work with this lot type to get full understanding of it.

So far, it just sort of seems like a generic lot but with the ability to hold events. Or an Eco Living Community Space without the voting.Which doesn't seem super exciting to me, but then again, I have seen a lot of people ask for the ability to hold events on generic lots over the years, so maybe this is partially a response to that. I suppose you could, for example, designate a lot as a rec center, but design it to look like a church (lots of churches do have rec centers, after all), and then you would be able to hold events and group activities there. I wonder whether we will be able to have weddings at rec centers?I figure I will initially leave the premade rec center as it is, and use it a bit to see whether anything else springs to mind. I'm sure other players will come up with lots of unique ideas.

Ah, I forgot about the throwing party like baby shower there. That might make it worth using that lot category.My plan is to rather make "community center", including a couple offices, a meeting room, maybe a reception desk, and a doctor office (mainly for story telling). Maybe a small craft seller market. A small library and gaming nook will still fit the bill, though. My game is organized in 8 regions, and one such center per region would be perfect. It's a plus if they vary a bit. I just need to find available lots in already packed worlds, LOL.

Rec Center | EA Forums

amapola76
Seasoned Hotshot
2 years ago
"mightysprite;c-18236707" wrote:
@Amapola76 That is a great idea to make it over as a church. Some super-conservative people might find it offensive to have card-playing autonomy in a church, but I am not those people, and I've been wishing for a long time to have something that feels like church in my game without having to deal with mods.

Maybe I'll do a build based on my real-life church, with a hangout area downstairs, kitchen, food pantry where sims can contribute food/ingredients to fridges and bakery cases, and then the sanctuary upstairs.

You know, mentioning the food pantry made me think: it might also be interesting to build a homeless shelter with this lot type, especially for those who do rags to riches. I know some people who do r2r consider it cheating to use community lot amenities, but if it's actually part of the gameplay/storyline...maybe not?

Come to think of it, I definitely need a YMCA in my game. (SimCA? YSCA?)
RoseOfMontana
New Traveler
2 years ago
I plan to use the rec center a lot in my game a great place for homework, knitting socials, I like the gym and maybe wellness and spa ideas. I don't have to buy card tables, chess tables, pianos etc it a cost savings for my sims home. Plus the social advantages and skill building with the centers and of course story telling. So many ideas and my small brain. I look forward to the update and the big day to download the EP. Does anyone lknow what time we will be able to download the EP when it comes out?
simgirl1010
Hero
2 years ago
Posted this in the Pos Thoughts thread but thought it was appropriate here also.

Rec center autonomy
Spoiler

https://twitter.com/moxhollow/status/1632840871124123649?t=HND1ArB3TOqanZbR1S6OXg&s=19

Spoiler

https://twitter.com/SimGuruMorgan/status/1632841843397505025?t=Hr22SIVOfj2AtssB2bjTqA&s=19
RandomTokenCode
Seasoned Newcomer
2 years ago
"LeGardePourpre;c-18236025" wrote:
It's a place where the NPC townies must play games (table)

Of course Card game is still disabled, they won't do this autonomously.

Do you know some actions to enable playing cards autonomously? I really need it!
rlc77
Seasoned Rookie
2 years ago
"simgirl1010;c-18236727" wrote:
@RedShoe7 I've had the swim club in game for quite a long time and haven't had any deaths. They're always there when my playable Sims visit the pool.

Thank you, that's good to know!
evilyn_37
Rising Adventurer
2 years ago
Does anybody know if they’ve mentioned the art classes again?
amapola76
Seasoned Hotshot
2 years ago
Hmmm. That targeting different rooms on different days bit sounds like High School Years. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I already have to keep a Notes doc open to remember which days to take which kids to school.

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