This is why I cannot play this game anymore.....

"Magnezone;c-17461521" wrote:

"Goldmoldar;c-17461119" wrote:

"Magnezone;c-17461008" wrote:

"Goldmoldar;c-17460957" wrote:
For me it is how Sims 4 is programmed and how it is laid out that they use backdrops and I call backdrops fillers being we can't create out own lots and everything outside the lots are static, people that played previous versions can see an lot of differences between the versions. Another reason the use of backdrops are being used as EA/Maxis developed the game to ensure systems uses the same bells and whistles unlike in Sims 2 and 3 meaning if I am using an high end system I would be able to use features that an low end system cannot use so fully rendering may be possible for an high end system and not so much with an low end system. For you it may not be an bad thing but for folks who is used to seeing games evolve or move forward with old and new features used and then see an newer version stripped of features that was once used in previous versions see it as an bad sign or move.

I can't believe I'm actually actively defending The Sims 4 this much in this thread given I have a plethora of my own issues with this installment, but let's be realistic here for a second; whilst the worlds are static in the way of, you can't do anything to change them, you can interact with way more of the world than in previous games. Everything you placed outside of a lot in The Sims 2 and 3 was purely aesthetic. This means there is more going on in The Sims 4's neighborhoods than The Sims 3's despite the huge size difference, and The Sims 2, you can only interact with the lot you're currently on - all the others are blurry renders in the background.

That's one thing I do genuinely like about TS4 - there are environmental objects not locked to a lot that are interactive and it makes the world's feel more alive - but this also means more objects to potentially load and render.

To say that everything is just static and in the background is simply not fair to The Sims 4, when that was definitely more so the case in the previous games. The only difference is you had the option to customise and change those decorative objects yourself, which gives worlds in older games a lot more personal flair.

I will say though, none of this kind of thing affects my regular gameplay. I'm not going to interact with the secret lot tree in Willow Creek every save file, nor am I going to look for frogs, collect posters or grill on the assorted neighborhood grills. It's extraneous to me, and I'd rather just have bigger worlds with more lots to build on than all the little cute details scattered amongst the world. But I am beginning to see why people like the neighborhoods in The Sims 4 more.

I could make my own lots in Sims 3 and you can't in Sims 4 if I could do the same in Sims 4 then I would agree. You can't change the lot size therefore you have to be choosey in what you going to lay down. However as I posted it is how Sims 4 is programmed to run and look so Willow Creek is always going to look the same no matter what is laid down and customization of each neighborhood is what some want and also it goes beyond customization as I have to wait for EA/Maxis to give an neighborhood through an pack as it was an very long while since we got an free one. Sims 4 may have some things for you to like but for me the few things are far and in between and it is an matter of taste and what each player want out of the game. For me there is no customization at an level for me to really like Sims 4. I do dislike neighborhoods but I just can't get with the restrictions neighborhoods in it's current state. I do like the connection between neighborhoods but it is still restrictive.

This is not what I was getting at and you either didn't read my post or glanced over it. tl;dr I said nothing OUTSIDE of lots is interactive in the older games, making the small neighborhood areas feel more like real places in The Sims 4.

I do prefer the worlds in The Sims 3 and 2 as I can add personal flair to them, and literally explicitly said I'd prefer just having more lots over cutesy stuff scattered throughout the worlds too.

"silverfawn20;d-974013" wrote:
While it's fresh in my memory, here's a prime example of why The Sims 4 is a real mess of a game. To set the scene I was playing as Cassandra Goth and had her about to marry Don Lothario when I had Don bail out on the wedding. (A trip down nostalgia Lane.) Cassandra was as expected very angry at this. She stomps around for a few minutes then randomly starts making spaghetti. OK so I also turn to food in times of emotional distress so I get it girl, but I kinda wanted some drama. So I get Don to make out with another sim literally right in front of cassandra and she doesn't bat an eye lid. Her angry moodlet has been over ridden with a happy one (I guess because of the spaghetti? Which to be fair I can also relate to) but that's not realistic! I cancel all actions on Cassandra and get Don to make out with the other sim again and still nothing. Cassandra goes off to dance....Don is not fazed. He's living his best life. So I go to start an argument. I select mean interactions between Don and Cassandra but they just cancel out! Don and Cassandra just start random group conversations with other sims and all my commands are just cancelled out as soon as I select them. Then they sit there happily chatting to each other as if nothing has happened! What is going on with this game?! So an hour or so goes by (sims time) Don and Cassandra happily co existing, Cassandra is even dancing with Don's side chick like she has total amnesia then all of a sudden back comes the angry moodlet followed by some angry stomping around. So I think yay let's start an argument again. I select a mean interaction and poof! Action cancelled and moodlet is gone, replaced with happy again. I honestly give up! I wanted to love this game, (good lord I've spent enough money on it) but it's fundamental gameplay mechanics ruled by emotion buffs is just so beyond repair I just find myself quitting in frustration and loading either Sims 2 or 3 up for my sims fix. Please tell me Sims 5 is in the works and if it is, please tell me the devs have used sims 4 programming as an example of "what not to do!" Use the Sims 2 gameplay mechanics. That worked. Thanks.
*note* I do not and never have, used mods or CC in my Sims 4 game.

"MsKatieRose;c-17462989" wrote:
Problem is, even with "Simple" interactions between Sims usually ends up in a fail. For example, having a sim visit another sim ends up with one leaving the room to talk to a plant or get on the computer in another room. This, after only a few minutes of interaction. Oh, and if you have a door set on lock, the visiting sim can't enter the room and bother the sim for more conversation! Don't get me started on failed meetings, party events or awkward weddings (as mentioned) or award shows where no one "sits down" in the chairs provided for them. Btw, have yet to see a wedding cake for the wedding events.

"ClarionOfJoy;c-17462282" wrote:

"Magnezone;c-17461008" wrote:
Everything you placed outside of a lot in The Sims 2 and 3 was purely aesthetic. This means there is more going on in The Sims 4's neighborhoods than The Sims 3's despite the huge size difference, and The Sims 2, you can only interact with the lot you're currently on - all the others are blurry renders in the background.

I'm not sure what you mean by not being able to interact with the worlds outside the lots in TS3?

My sims have been able to camp and picnic all over the worlds outside of the lots. You can also find collectibles anywhere in the world outside of lots. Also when I'm doing a zombie apocalypse challenge, I can shoot down zombies anywhere in the world whether they are in lots or outside of them in the world. For photography, you can also take pictures of faraway places - you don't have to be on the same lot for the photography skill to recognize what you're taking pictures of for its challenges and collections. You can also fish in any of the bodies of water outside of the lots, snorkel anywhere in the oceans, etc.

I know in TS2 you can't do anything outside of the lots, but I know for a fact that you can in TS3.