Sure, there are some decent designs in the game, but playing in Windenburg recently I have been reminded of just how bad some of their lots are.For instance, the gym in Windenburg, which has been much-talked about, is obviously bad. Having to go downstairs and then come back up to enter the workout area? Really? There's a big wall just begging for a set of doors.The swimming pool is equally frustrating, having to walk all the way around a big useless space just to reach the pool.And then there's the discotheque, which is an exercise in controlling the camera as it bounces all over the place because of the sunken dance floor and raised perimeter.Feel free to add your own examples.

This is why I've been spending the past month completely redesigning each world in Sims 4. A lot of the pre-mades are not only terrible, but they're often too basic as well. However, Sims 3 was the WORST when it came to pre-made lots. Especially the houses... I literally cringe when I see how horrible the designs are in that game. I mean, I love Sims 3 a lot, but I definitely can't ignore the many flaws. The lots in Sims 4 are at least slightly better.

@Cupid To be clear, I'm speaking mostly from a playability standpoint. I think they look pretty cool, but I don't think the pool or the discotheque were designed with playability in mind.

No Maxis Lots allowed in my game, I can't believe they shipped the game looking like that, and ppl still use them...idgi

Oh god, that gym :# :# I was invited by my sims friend and I thought I’ve never been there so why not. I didn’t even realize there was a staircase when I had my sim go use the workout machines! I saw my sim siblings spawn at the lot so I went to greet them and it was taking forever I thought wth is going on, and saw what they did! Completely ridiculous and time consuming. I don’t like the club from oasis springs either, because it looks like a poor attempt to make a modern club. I’m not a builder but that club looks awful. Everything is compressed inside and the entrance a single room with a staircase leading upstairs looks horrible.

The Casbah Gallery. You send a sim to the upper level, then they have to go clear across the gallery to use the bathroom. Why not have one on each level, which makes more sense and saves time.

The Awfulness of Maxis-created Lots

OneGrilledChees
7 years ago
"So_Money;c-16553980" wrote:
"dopaminedroid;c-16553954" wrote:
And Maxis builts are often just not very aesthetically pleasing, compared to player builds.

Generally, this is true. But in fairness there are a few Maxis builds that I do like. The gym overlooking San Myshuno, for example.

Oh there are definitely also Maxis builds that I really like, the exterior of the builds more so.
Brindleton
7 years ago
Yes, and Sims 2 was even worse.

There was a home with a 2x3 size bathroom that had 3 doors. To this day I wonder how was that approved.
bsozz
7 years ago
"Brindleton;c-16554046" wrote:
Yes, and Sims 2 was even worse.

There was a home with a 2x3 size bathroom that had 3 doors. To this day I wonder how was that approved.

I don't remember much about TS2, but that sounds ridiculous.
Perthelia
Seasoned Novice
7 years ago
"So_Money;d-942303" wrote:
And then there's the discotheque, which is an exercise in controlling the camera as it bounces all over the place because of the sunken dance floor and raised perimeter.

I HATE that nightclub, but I haven't yet found a substitute for it. It just sits there unused by me. :P I'm sure there are a ton of replacement lots on the gallery, but I never think about replacing it until someone calls for an outing and then they just get turned down.
ck213
Seasoned Scout
7 years ago
It's been this way since TS2, my first sims game.
I personally believe that it's partly intentional. Awful lots encourages building your own and having a community of builders other simmers will seek out to get better lots. If Maxis created fantastic lots there would be very little need for a community of builders or to tweak/build anything yourself.
SimmplyShelli
7 years ago
I enjoy remodeling the pre-made lots, but what really bugs me is apartment buildings in San Myshuno where the wallpaper on exterior (can't change) is the wallboard and doesn't match.
TheGoodOldGamer
7 years ago
"Lady_Ballora;c-16558481" wrote:
I either renovate or tear down the lots I don't like. The gym in Windenburg was bulldozed to make room for a nice bowling alley,and I renovated the Rattlesnake Bar into a pizzeria named Coyote Pizza. One building in Brindleton Bay was bulldozed and replaced with a Showbiz Pizza Place building,and the Garden Path House was transformed into a gift shop. Bulldozing and replacing lots I don't like makes the worlds more interesting.

Someone really likes their pizza... :D
Cinebar
7 years ago
This reminds me of that community lot downtown in Old Town in TS1, where they built it on purpose to be blocked by the Sax player. Up and down those stairs to get to a bathroom, you knew your Sim was going to be blocked in it all night. Maybe things are on purpose. :D
kaeyresky
7 years ago
To be honest I don't hate most of them. The gym in Windenburg was one that I agree is terrible, but I really liked the pool and the nightclub.
Also I'm pretty sure there's one house in Oasis Springs where the door at the back of the house is set as the front door by default?

The rest are okay, a little boring perhaps, but I can understand why.
Deafsimmer
7 years ago
Yes, and some builds in Sims 4 look good when renovated. Other builds are sometimes deleted in my saves, either because of strange routing or causes the camera to go wonky.