It's way past due because players don't have control of this in any game. Why not a toggle that sets the game to generate any townie for whatever reason (cashiers etc. or to fill houses) and a toggle to turn it off and allow the player to create and place their own townies, including those who would be cashiers (non played) etc. I know from my point of view and many others who still play TS2 and TS3 we like an empty world where we theme and create our own townies. Maxis needs to give the creativity back to the players, and expand upon it by letting them start out with a toggle whether the game generates the townfolk or if the player does. At least TS2 had an easy cheat to turn any Sim into a townie and or an NPC. That sort of creativity is a better way to go if you really want the player to play their way. Maxis of old understood this, I don't think Maxis of today does understand it.
