Release the dev kit to create worlds

"Cynna;c-17222952" wrote:
EA/Maxis could easily change the real estate issue if they allowed multi-use lots. Better yet, code the game so that the Sims will use whatever activities are places on the lot, not simply what the venue tells them that they may use.

Agree 100%. It would be so much nicer if you could take any lot and add a bar, a stereo and a bowling alley and - BAM! - a bartender arrives and people order drinks, listen/dance to music and go bowling. I hate the way people crowd around a TV that I'm forced to put in my bar because Maxis says it's necessary (I've taken to hiding unwanted lot requirements in inaccessible basements).

On top of that, why not unlock lot types? What if I want to put a rental house in Windenburg so my San Myshuno sims can stay for a few nights? Why does my hospital have to be a huge building in a Willow Creek-style world, instead of a tiny doctor's office in Strangerville?

If they won't let players create their own worlds, they need to make in-game world editing a possibility. Make the worlds more flexible.

I'll add my voice to this request/plea/letter to Santa for a CAW-like tool/feature. It's not that I don't have enough worlds, it's just that I really hate the layout of quite a few of them... they just don't gel the way I'd like them to. I would love to be able to add or change some of the lots even if we were stuck with the given sizes (which we aren't - I've had a look at the base and expac code and I've already changed Sylvan Glade plot size to 55 x 48...) and to rearrange some of the surrounding landscape. It's not about amounts, it's about aesthetics, in my opinion.

In my opinion, I think they hurt the franchise and the reputation of The Sims and their own purse by not releasing such tools. One, instead of having to give away seven million basegames this past May, they could have had seven million sells of basegame by releasing a world editor, CAW. There are all types of players and Maxis is missing and wouldn't have to chase new players who have no idea what this franchise was about, by just supporting the base/core fanbase. Many modders won't even touch TS4, who worked on all others. There is that section of players/consumers.

Besides those who play a game to actually play it as intended with all it's levels, aspirations, skill learning etc. I'll call them achievers who play exactly how it's laid out without detering into story but trying to complete everything there are players who never play that way or may do some of it but their play is on the story in their head and the journey their Sim is on, or their towns. Then there are those who must play a legacy, and never move out of one house after ten genarations of Sims. Maxis misses out on creators of worlds who could boost sales for other content.

Besides those who just use this game to do a live play session, which rarely actually play, there are those who play this franchise just to edit and make machinima and or screen shots to tell a made up story which may or may not even be possible and most things edit to seem those things happened, or used to cheats to get the look or action to seem like it happened.

But Maxis chases those who have never played and overlook the one group they no longer have. The World Builders who inspire other players to try it, buy it, use it, (the game) and inspired thousands to stay engaged while they waited on new world from a world builder. If Maxis was so smart they would have included this type of 'player' from the get go and wouldn't have had to have so many sales and or give away a base for free. Because modders and world builders would buy and do stuff for the community of Simmers, even if they don't like a game, as long as they can create. And Maxis should have learned that lesson by now.