I draw inspiration from just about anywhere when building in this game. You know, the usual, floor plan sites, real life houses, etc. but I've discovered lately that I have found inspiration from some of the weirdest things. I mean, of course I've been inspired by haunted houses videos on YouTube, but just recently I built an entire village inspired from a painting. Just when I thought it couldn't get any farther out of the box than that, two of my more recent builds were inspired by...clipart I found on Google. Yes, you read that right, clipart.
So, all of this got me thinking, am I the only one who gets inspiration from odd places? What's the weirdest source of inspiration you've drawn to create in this game? It can be for builds, Sims, or storylines. Heck, even an outfit. Let's talk about it.
"Writin_Reg;c-17267884" wrote: Well when Sims came out in Sims 1 and Sims 2 Will Wright created the game from instances of his real life and the way things were done 15-20 years ago. We played the game with a mix of fantasy along with doses of real life as it was then mixed together. But when Sims 3 came into being it seemed there was a big switch removing any part of real life that could be viewed as detrimental in any shape or form to younger players - real life had to suddenly be less scarey to some younger players and when they started doing that it made the game lose a lot of it's deep hearted feels it had to many players. It seems the game became less about actually living life and more about coddling the masses and the more it does this the more it actually separates the players. It is harder to deplict real life in a game about life when all instances of real life are wraped in protective safe zones.
Ok, I understand what you're saying now. But how is this related to weird sources of inspiration? Am I missing something?
Well yes - we are missing the ability to tell those stories because Maxis finds it easier to not make those stories playable because it is apparently easier or something less to cause upset to some players. Instead of letting people deal with things like we always have - they hide potential upsets out of reach - just in case it might upset some one - which in turn does upset players who experienced life differently or even played the game differently because before they could do those things and now we can't/ it created resentment between everyone when they start turning a life simulation game into candy land.
I get all of that, and I see your point completely. I think it's the easiest way not offend.
Thst being said, how is this relevant to my original question of "What's the weirdest source of inspiration you've drawn to create in this game?" For example, have you looked at a houseplant, and thought those leaves are an interesting shape, I think I'll build a house in that shape?
"happyopi;c-17267916" wrote: I build a lot a things inspired by houses in Hitman and Hitman 2.
I've made my husband walk around houses in GTA5 so I could get a good look at the exterior. He just rolls his eyes and waits for me to tell him to move. :D
"happyopi;c-17267916" wrote: I build a lot a things inspired by houses in Hitman and Hitman 2.
Yep you are inspired by another game that deplicts real life - and not the life simulation game that actually should deplict life. I find that odd seeing the Sims did used to simulate a mixture of real life and imagination and now it doesn't really. We should be able to take real life experience and play through it in the game on some level somewhere - life is not Candy land 24 / 7. We should be able to play our own lives a little bit if we so desire like Will Wright made his game using real life with bits of fantasy to lighten it up. Not make it something else entirely because the sound of a burglar alarm might scare one player.
I've recently created sims inspired by music, specifically songs by Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Willie Nelson and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. And my avatar sim was inspired by Charles II of Spain, last Hapsburg king of Spain, the classic example of family tree collapse.
"WaytoomanyUIDs;c-17268165" wrote: I've recently created sims inspired by music, specifically songs by the Beatles Willie Nelson and Nick Cave & the bad Seeds
I'm currently listening to Star Trek music for inspiration. while yesterdays efforts were fuelled by Nemesis and Insurrection soundtracks and ahdar ru'afo's comical scream to boost spirits further, yesterday was nice, it kept things flowing. too much music these days is all noise, too much sharp drum beats and guitar riffs going off as one to the point it turns into white noise, so i got to be careful otherwise inspiration turns into boredem in a hurry.
"WaytoomanyUIDs;c-17268165" wrote: I've recently created sims inspired by music, specifically songs by Pink Floyd, the Beatles, Willie Nelson and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. And my avatar sim was inspired by Charles II of Spain, last Hapsburg king of Spain, the classic example of family tree collapse.
That's interesting. What songs?
@Hoverael, I assume the Star Trek music is all instrumental? I think that would be a good muse for just about anything. I'm not a Trekkie but I would imagine they characters alone would make for some good inspiration as well. Star Trek was always my mom's thing. I couldn't get into it. I'm more of a time travel enthusiast. Space-themed stuff doesn't really do much for me. I do, however, respect the franchise, even though I know little to nothing about it.
almost all tracks are natural instrumentals. I find the half way ambient and relaxing elements mixed in with a little action and tension at the right moments to keep it from getting stale, that is important to keep it interesting to keep listening..
For me it’s classic TV: Bewitched, My Three Sons, The D van D Show (real words in title are censored for silly reasons), The Brady Bunch, I Dream of Genie, etc. I take a lot of inspiration for my homes and neighbourhoods from these and others.
Some of my weirdest inspirations for Sims actually came from the 33 Day Create A Sim contest held on the forum a long time ago. Each day had a different theme offered to create a Sim. Day 2 was - Animal and I created Olivia Owl:
*Note - None of the Sims from this challenge are on the Gallery.
It was such a fun challenge. I never did complete it though. Might be fun to try again someday. :) Also, as others have shared I love to create builds from photographs, house plans or houses I see during every day life that I like. That's not really very weird, but one build I did for Build-N-Share was the weirdest house I've ever built based on a photograph. It was for a post modern home in Round #36. Here's the inspiration photo for it:
Here's a link to a slideshow of the build if you want to take a look. I apologize for the quality of the screenshots. I built this a lonnnng time ago when I was still using an old toaster of a laptop to play the game.
Other than the above, I can't think of anything weird that inspired the creation of my Sims, builds or gameplay. My inspirations usually come from challenges, Let's Plays, books, TV, people I know, places I've been or lived, dreams, songs, house plans, etc. Just the usual normal every day stuff that I'm sure inspire a lot of Simmers. :)
Happy Simming! <3
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