How would a reality tv show pack expand the core? Aren't EPs supposed to expand the core? For instance seasons expands a core of a game. Pets in a game expands the core. Even univesity packs expand a core. These three type of EPs affect everyday life for the Sim. A reality TV show pack does not. How does it affect Mary, or Joe or Sally or any other Simville Sim. It can't because it would be outside the norm of what EPs are supposed to do.
Supernatural affected the core of a game. Things like a full moon, the effects of the full moon on all the residents of a town. Automobiles would affect the core. Illness affects the core. Accidents would affect any Sim in the game. EPs are supposed to broaden gameplay for any Sim you choose to play, watch, stalk, find out about. Even townies. A subway system and public transporation would affect the core and broaden and change the gameplay and of any Sim's life. Though it is a small effect it still affects the core.
I can't see how they would consider a reality tv show pack as an EP at all. I also can't see one destination, vacation world used as an EP, either. If a pack included several places to go, several vacation spots and the ability to own and manage hotels that would broaden gameplay but it's still a very focused theme. Even that doesn't expand a core game. Townies don't go on vacation only extra added characters in those worlds might be new. However, in TS1 townies did go on vacation but so many complain about TS4 townies and non played Sims are everywhere in each neighborhood stalking the rest of the Sims that some may not like that broad of an expansion to include seeing Nancy L. in a winter vacation spot.
It's like TS4 teams have forgotten what is an EP and what is a GP. Because GF was an EP, and such a focused pack with only one career in showbiz that it doesn't even deserve that category nor the money people had to pay to get it.
ETA: And as far as a pack like Big Brother, yeah, I can see that total fail since these Sims have no response to any cheating and or arguing or anything else most of the time. They just grin and want to be friends with their worst enemy. Another snooze fest. And how much does anyone want to bet that the choses on the voodoo doll or the mischief trait be the heart of a pack like Big Brother....resold gameplay already in the base. Do ten mischievous interactions. :(
Hobbies would expand an entire core and even townies if they programmed them to have one. But again resold gameplay already in the base. A cooking pack with competition is so overdone in this game already (cooking) I can't even consider a cooking pack. Food competitions should have been in GT and something to work toward for a cooking group/club and or in GTW, cooking classes, cooking competitions etc. Piecemealing gameplay.
