TOO MANY LOADING SCREENS!!

The loading screens don't bother me, sure I have nothing against the open world (besides story progression), and I find it a nice change in gameplay when i ocassionally play TS3, but I don't miss the open world at all anyway. The TS4 loading screens aren't slow either when you play on an atleast decent computer, so there's nothing I can complain about.

You need to think about why the loading screens are there and what their advantages are. During the loading screens, sims are directed to spawn at the lot (I think it is like this? Correct me if I'm wrong). This makes the lots much more populated than in TS3. And if it means we don't get these rabbithole buildings anymore, I'm more than happy about it.

And really, the restaurants and theaters from TS3 store were a joke. @Sigzy05, I understand your point, but everything I can see in your pictures are empty lots that are not really immersive. That's the reason we have loading screens in TS4. I'd rather wait a few seconds and have a populated lot that looks realistic and believable than an empty lot with no one but my sim around, just for the sake of an open world.

It's just me, but I didn't heard someone saying that TS3 on a few console platforms (xbox360/ps3) was build with a similar idea of numerious lots close to one another define as districts, with the exception that all of those lots are loaded when a sim travels to that district? If that's true, then that's quite impressing. Not sure If this has any relevant value to this discussion of a pc game of a complete different iteration, but that game on console from what I seen seems to be a less laggy version of it's counterpart on pc, so comparing TS3 (xbox360/ps3) vs TS4 (pc) I don't really see a big deal not including a semi-open world feature.

"NickSims;c-16212781" wrote:
I don't want to be rude. I agree with you, but this discussion isn't very relevant anymore. This subject has been discussed so many times on these forums already. EA is probably never going to change the loading screens in TS4. We'll just have to live with it. It is what it is.

EA is probably never going to do anything regardless as to what we request in the feedback section, especially the things that were "discussed so many times", but hey at least we could try to convince them. Just what toddlers protest did. Many stuff ;)

"paradiseplanet;c-16212698" wrote:
I don't have any experience with loading screens on the other games, but I understand why Sims 4 has these loading screens through looking at a technical perspective. Let's say a vet clinic, restaurant, and huge retail store (like a mall) were all in the same neighborhood. Now imagine if I loaded into that neighborhood without the loading screens? Imagine the horrible lag I would experience! My laptop is a great high-functioning laptop, but it still can't handle being in large lots with many sims and activity taking place within it. Imagine how upset I'd be if the loading screens for whole neighborhoods went away... Heck even smaller lots with too many sims gets really bad (looking at you libraries).

The Other route I can see the whole semi-open world concept being executed is to have lot load without entering a loading screen, while the playable sim is in its district. If the sim takes a step on that lot's yard. If a Lot A (Cafe) is loaded, but then you direct your sim BOB to take a step on the lot B yard (Gym), The Cafe than unloads and the action loads into the Gym. If each of two sims are present in both lots: Eliza in the Cafe, Bob at the gym: though that may result in putting strain onto player's system and lag onto game, but hey what doesn't come at a great cost. Though I seen some argue that open world mechanic isn't the real issue on what cause the immense lag on TS3, but the fault/blame should have given to the beasty engine the game was build on.

"alexandrea;c-16234911" wrote:

"Mendota;c-16212619" wrote:
It takes less time in a loading screen than it did to travel across the map in Sims 3. This is Sims 4, not Sims 3 and many of us like it like that. I hated how long it took to get places in Sims 3. I love in Sims 4 how easy it is to click on the phone pick your companions and boom, you are on your way. Pick a destination (In any world - not confined to one) and you are there. That is the beauty of Sims 4.

This.

It amazes me how many people still complain about this, knowing very well that it won't be changed anytime soon.
https://media.giphy.com/media/xT0xeG3LcKx0sKUEOA/giphy.gif

TS4 loading screens are not bad at all. Loading screens are the best things that happened to this game, we finally have true immersion thanks to loading screens.

Though do we know? It's not like Gurus or anyone from the publisher confirmed about the possibility or have yet to deny that "it won't be changed anytime soon".

"jackjack_k;c-16221313" wrote:
They already confirmed, loading screens allow multi-tasking and packs like Get To Work, Dine Out, running a Vet in C&D etc.

It also allows proper Community Venues. The reason why Community Lots in TS3 are so poor is because all gameplay is tied to objects, not the lot or game.

The difference between a community lot and Residential lot in TS3 is “visitors allowed” being toggled. That’s it.

Open World is useless to me when there’s nowhere to go. The store venues like the Cinema, Bistro, Bakery and Spa are an absolute joke for $15 - $22 each, the Savvy Seller collection is abysmal and an embarrassment to Open For Business and makes the Retail system in The Sims 4 look like the second coming.

The Sims 1 and 2 always have amazing places to go, and The Sims 4 is still building on it.

I can have all of the EP venues in 3 placed, and all of the store venues placed and be bored.

Credit where credit is due though, TS3 University was very well done and it’s a shame that EA only figured out how to make the best of limitations so late in the game

Can you post link/source to where they confirmed it.

I agree (I think ? If we're talking about TS4). You can't make in TS4 commercial lot a generic one because objects are depented to the type the property is set, unlike in TS2.

"Huiiie_07;c-16236340" wrote:
The loading screens don't bother me, sure I have nothing against the open world (besides story progression), and I find it a nice change in gameplay when i ocassionally play TS3, but I don't miss the open world at all anyway. The TS4 loading screens aren't slow either when you play on an atleast decent computer, so there's nothing I can complain about.

You need to think about why the loading screens are there and what their advantages are. During the loading screens, sims are directed to spawn at the lot (I think it is like this? Correct me if I'm wrong). This makes the lots much more populated than in TS3. And if it means we don't get these rabbithole buildings anymore, I'm more than happy about it.

And really, the restaurants and theaters from TS3 store were a joke. @Sigzy05, I understand your point, but everything I can see in your pictures are empty lots that are not really immersive. That's the reason we have loading screens in TS4. I'd rather wait a few seconds and have a populated lot that looks realistic and believable than an empty lot with no one but my sim around, just for the sake of an open world.

Two things:

The OP never advocated open world, they are adressing loading screens between lots in the same neighborhood. Too many, that’s the issue here.

It’s not a given fact they can’t create a game with an open world combined with busier lots, just because they couldn’t manage back in 2007/2008/2009. Sims 3 does have a system that draws sims to lots and it’s processor related how many sims that is (in my case now up to 10). There’s no reason to believe they aren’t able to improve that by now and for many Sims 3 players lots already are busy and realistic. More so than in my Sims 4 game, where sims act way less varied than they do in the old game. Visiting lots in Sims 3 always hands me new ideas and surprises now (thanks to that processor). In Sims 4 absolutely never. The sims who are there do nothing but disturbing my sims, with nothing else than chatting animations.


Oh, p.s., no rabbithole buildings obviously is an upside for you, but a major downside for others. Like me, I love the RH buildings and I miss them in Sims 4.

"DragonCat159;c-16236490" wrote:

Spoiler

It's just me, but I didn't heard someone saying that TS3 on a few console platforms (xbox360/ps3) was build with a similar idea of numerious lots close to one another define as districts, with the exception that all of those lots are loaded when a sim travels to that district? If that's true, then that's quite impressing. Not sure If this has any relevant value to this discussion of a pc game of a complete different iteration, but that game on console from what I seen seems to be a less laggy version of it's counterpart on pc, so comparing TS3 (xbox360/ps3) vs TS4 (pc) I don't really see a big deal not including a semi-open world feature.

"NickSims;c-16212781" wrote:
I don't want to be rude. I agree with you, but this discussion isn't very relevant anymore. This subject has been discussed so many times on these forums already. EA is probably never going to change the loading screens in TS4. We'll just have to live with it. It is what it is.

EA is probably never going to do anything regardless as to what we request in the feedback section, especially the things that were "discussed so many times", but hey at least we could try to convince them. Just what toddlers protest did. Many stuff ;)

Spoiler

"paradiseplanet;c-16212698" wrote:
I don't have any experience with loading screens on the other games, but I understand why Sims 4 has these loading screens through looking at a technical perspective. Let's say a vet clinic, restaurant, and huge retail store (like a mall) were all in the same neighborhood. Now imagine if I loaded into that neighborhood without the loading screens? Imagine the horrible lag I would experience! My laptop is a great high-functioning laptop, but it still can't handle being in large lots with many sims and activity taking place within it. Imagine how upset I'd be if the loading screens for whole neighborhoods went away... Heck even smaller lots with too many sims gets really bad (looking at you libraries).

The Other route I can see the whole semi-open world concept being executed is to have lot load without entering a loading screen, while the playable sim is in its district. If the sim takes a step on that lot's yard. If a Lot A (Cafe) is loaded, but then you direct your sim BOB to take a step on the lot B yard (Gym), The Cafe than unloads and the action loads into the Gym. If each of two sims are present in both lots: Eliza in the Cafe, Bob at the gym: though that may result in putting strain onto player's system and lag onto game, but hey what doesn't come at a great cost. Though I seen some argue that open world mechanic isn't the real issue on what cause the immense lag on TS3, but the fault/blame should have given to the beasty engine the game was build on.

"alexandrea;c-16234911" wrote:

"Mendota;c-16212619" wrote:
It takes less time in a loading screen than it did to travel across the map in Sims 3. This is Sims 4, not Sims 3 and many of us like it like that. I hated how long it took to get places in Sims 3. I love in Sims 4 how easy it is to click on the phone pick your companions and boom, you are on your way. Pick a destination (In any world - not confined to one) and you are there. That is the beauty of Sims 4.

This.

It amazes me how many people still complain about this, knowing very well that it won't be changed anytime soon.
https://media.giphy.com/media/xT0xeG3LcKx0sKUEOA/giphy.gif

TS4 loading screens are not bad at all. Loading screens are the best things that happened to this game, we finally have true immersion thanks to loading screens.

Though do we know? It's not like Gurus or anyone from the publisher confirmed about the possibility or have yet to deny that "it won't be changed anytime soon".

EA in fact is improving this, they are listening. WB is a lot more open than the first two neighborhoods and I believe the same thing goes for the C&D world? They are listening and making adjustments (within the limits of their possibilities) to current games. They did for Sims 3, they are doing it for Sims 4.

"Huiiie_07;c-16236340" wrote:
The loading screens don't bother me, sure I have nothing against the open world (besides story progression), and I find it a nice change in gameplay when i ocassionally play TS3, but I don't miss the open world at all anyway. The TS4 loading screens aren't slow either when you play on an atleast decent computer, so there's nothing I can complain about.

You need to think about why the loading screens are there and what their advantages are. During the loading screens, sims are directed to spawn at the lot (I think it is like this? Correct me if I'm wrong). This makes the lots much more populated than in TS3. And if it means we don't get these rabbithole buildings anymore, I'm more than happy about it.

And really, the restaurants and theaters from TS3 store were a joke. @Sigzy05, I understand your point, but everything I can see in your pictures are empty lots that are not really immersive. That's the reason we have loading screens in TS4. I'd rather wait a few seconds and have a populated lot that looks realistic and believable than an empty lot with no one but my sim around, just for the sake of an open world.

Actually, the lots I made do have lots of sims around. The screenshots I took were while I was testing the venues some time ago for a story I was working on. Later on sims actually did sit and saw movies on the big screen, but since I put the university bar on it they were mostly drawn to it. The actual store venue has normal bars so sims don't get so caught up in buying food items. It's cool though because in TS3 they will sit on the seats eating and it seems as if they are watching the movie as well. And as far as I know TS4 doesn't even have theaters so it's better than anything.

The amount of sims also depends on the venue type of things, some venues draw in more sims than others.

Open World or semi Open Worlds would greatly eliminate one basic and fundamental flaw of the loading screen system - all the fake backdrops and I don't mean far off scenery. I;m referring to the fake houses across the street that don't exist, the fake lakes, bridges, boats, promenades etc. An open world would be just that.... open

"JoAnne65;c-16236951" wrote:

"DragonCat159;c-16236490" wrote:

Spoiler

It's just me, but I didn't heard someone saying that TS3 on a few console platforms (xbox360/ps3) was build with a similar idea of numerious lots close to one another define as districts, with the exception that all of those lots are loaded when a sim travels to that district? If that's true, then that's quite impressing. Not sure If this has any relevant value to this discussion of a pc game of a complete different iteration, but that game on console from what I seen seems to be a less laggy version of it's counterpart on pc, so comparing TS3 (xbox360/ps3) vs TS4 (pc) I don't really see a big deal not including a semi-open world feature.

"NickSims;c-16212781" wrote:
I don't want to be rude. I agree with you, but this discussion isn't very relevant anymore. This subject has been discussed so many times on these forums already. EA is probably never going to change the loading screens in TS4. We'll just have to live with it. It is what it is.

EA is probably never going to do anything regardless as to what we request in the feedback section, especially the things that were "discussed so many times", but hey at least we could try to convince them. Just what toddlers protest did. Many stuff ;)

Spoiler

"paradiseplanet;c-16212698" wrote:
I don't have any experience with loading screens on the other games, but I understand why Sims 4 has these loading screens through looking at a technical perspective. Let's say a vet clinic, restaurant, and huge retail store (like a mall) were all in the same neighborhood. Now imagine if I loaded into that neighborhood without the loading screens? Imagine the horrible lag I would experience! My laptop is a great high-functioning laptop, but it still can't handle being in large lots with many sims and activity taking place within it. Imagine how upset I'd be if the loading screens for whole neighborhoods went away... Heck even smaller lots with too many sims gets really bad (looking at you libraries).

The Other route I can see the whole semi-open world concept being executed is to have lot load without entering a loading screen, while the playable sim is in its district. If the sim takes a step on that lot's yard. If a Lot A (Cafe) is loaded, but then you direct your sim BOB to take a step on the lot B yard (Gym), The Cafe than unloads and the action loads into the Gym. If each of two sims are present in both lots: Eliza in the Cafe, Bob at the gym: though that may result in putting strain onto player's system and lag onto game, but hey what doesn't come at a great cost. Though I seen some argue that open world mechanic isn't the real issue on what cause the immense lag on TS3, but the fault/blame should have given to the beasty engine the game was build on.

"alexandrea;c-16234911" wrote:

"Mendota;c-16212619" wrote:
It takes less time in a loading screen than it did to travel across the map in Sims 3. This is Sims 4, not Sims 3 and many of us like it like that. I hated how long it took to get places in Sims 3. I love in Sims 4 how easy it is to click on the phone pick your companions and boom, you are on your way. Pick a destination (In any world - not confined to one) and you are there. That is the beauty of Sims 4.

This.

It amazes me how many people still complain about this, knowing very well that it won't be changed anytime soon.
https://media.giphy.com/media/xT0xeG3LcKx0sKUEOA/giphy.gif

TS4 loading screens are not bad at all. Loading screens are the best things that happened to this game, we finally have true immersion thanks to loading screens.

Though do we know? It's not like Gurus or anyone from the publisher confirmed about the possibility or have yet to deny that "it won't be changed anytime soon".

EA in fact is improving this, they are listening. WB is a lot more open than the first two neighborhoods and I believe the same thing goes for the C&D world? They are listening and making adjustments (within the limits of their possibilities) to current games. They did for Sims 3, they are doing it for Sims 4.

Might wanna elaborate on that. What do have in mind as in 'more open'?

When I play in Willow Creek my sim can walk as far as the sidewalk in front of the house. In Windenburg however I can really walk around with my sim. Couldn't believe the first time I actually lost my sim. Had to double click on her icon to find her back.

I think that it's a common misconception that TS3 base game restaurants weren't "open". Actually, they were. There was always the option to choose to eat outside.

I loved doing that when the weather in-game was good. My Sims would eat outside and NPC would be out there as well. There would be lots of meeting and greeting going on, no different than the open restaurants in TS4.

There was a really nice lot that I downloaded from the Exchange that made use of the restaurant rabbit hole that looked like a ship. Because I could place lots wherever I wanted, I placed that restaurant lot half in, half out of the surf. With a little terrain editing (because that was an awesome thing), Sims on that lot were able to eat in the surf, just like you would see in upscale resorts IRL. They sat at the tables with water lapping at their feet. :) It was incredible and a favorite place for sending Sims on dates.

For me, that was the beauty of the open world -- the ability to put lots exactly where I wanted and to build incredible things that I will never be able to build in TS4 because the game doesn't allow anything creative like that. Lots exist only where they allow and they are all perfectly flat. I preferred an open world with extensive terrain tools. If it wasn't for the fact that TS3 still has a 32-bit .exe (which is part of the problem of games crashing under the weight of all of the content), I wouldn't have looked at TS4 twice.

When I choose to actually play (as opposed to setting up scenes which is all that I feel that I can do in TS4), an open world will always be my first choice. An open world with a 64-bit .exe, the sky (and your available memory) would be the limit!