Maybe I misunderstood, but I don't think that OP is talking about consequences and negativity vs positivity per se. At least in the sense that gameplay doesn't need to be restricted by that. For example me trying to create a sustainable household that only consumes power and water it creates itself by using the mechanics available in the game is gameplay. Me creating a sim who is eco aware, has quirky personality and rich backstory full of head canons is playing in story editor mode. You play both, but the first scenario is more in line of the traditional gameplay. Basically the concept is that the game is too sandboxy. I don't know... I might be very wrong, if so forget I said anything.
