Sims obsessively use objects

I agree that Sims use some objects and self-interactions in a very obsessive and unnatural way. For example, randomly doing push-ups outside of any fitness context, or walking very far just to get a glass of water.

I also think it’s important to describe what kind of autonomy we would actually like to see. Otherwise, there is a risk that Sims will just stop obsessing over some objects and start obsessing over others.

First of all, Sims should respect player-directed actions. Actions placed by the player should always have the highest priority and should not be cancelled by autonomous behavior.

And when autonomy takes over, ideally Sims should:

– Prioritize fulfilling their needs.

– Use the closest suitable object, without strong preference for one specific type (for example, grill over stove, bathtub over shower, etc.).

– Prefer activities that align with their Likes and Dislikes system, so their autonomy reflects their individual preferences.

– Initiate social interactions more often, especially with household members and close relationships, not just random NPCs.

Right now, Sims feel much more object-oriented than people-oriented. They tend to “stick” to some objects and autonomous actions instead of engaging socially or acting according to their personality.

It would feel much more natural if autonomy was driven by player intent first, and then by needs, relationships, and individual preferences, rather than by a small set of overly prioritized objects.