Sims 3: EP announcement and some reflection

[strangetomato]

You know what? I honestly wouldn't have predicted that EA'd come out with an EP that I simply have no interest in, but they've managed it.

I'm not sure I can completely articulate why this repels me so much, but it has something to do with the exactness of the replicas of these world locations, and how they actually refer to them as China or France instead of some sim world analogue, like Twikkii Island. It's just not very Simlish, is it? Compare that to Veronaville, which was an obvious reference to certain European countries, but it had its own twist. It had charm. I'm not seeing the charm. Maybe things will improve from this first look, but right now it's just... lacking.

A while back I was putting together my own little review of Sims 3 (which was never posted), and I'm reminded again of my main criticism of the third installment in our beloved series: it's a departure. That's what's wrong. It's veering off into different genres, most notably point-and-click adventure, and they're falling down on the promise of the simulation side of things. This is a mistake, because that's the reason we're here. Their task should have been to build a better dollhouse, and only that. In trying to appeal to a wider audience, they're losing track of the whole point of the game. The Sims franchise was always about domesticity, and that was enough.

They did some things right, no doubt, like the increased level of customization, but they didn't go far enough, and they're changing the overall feel of the game. They haven't even improved the way the genetics work. If they did nothing else, it should have been that.

So those are my thoughts. What do you think?

Comments

[peasant007.livejournal.com]

I agree with what you are saying and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

I really like the customization TS3 offers, but I dislike the MMO feel the game is leaning towards. Seriously, as I was running to get a rock, my heart was beating fast hoping to God that someone wouldn't beat me to it; then I had to remind myself that I wasn't online with other people.

Anyway, I think you pinpointed exactly WHY I don't like the sound of the new EP coming out for it: the destinations are named aftre real places instead of having Simlish names.

I like my doll house game where I can make or break my Barbies and take them on adventures in my own imaginary places. Egypt, China, and France is just too...real. Top all of it off with the fact that they haven't released our own neighborhood builders (which we could then possibly make our own vacation destinations) and it all comes down to a total turn off. For me personally, of course.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I'd like to add that giving these destinations real-world names also increases the "otherness" of those places, making the default Sim World much more directly American.

As a non-American, I'm not particularly interested in making that connection. I've always loved the happy little Everyplace where my sims live. Sure, it's a lot like North America, but it's not specifically anywhere.

[meetme2theriver.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't you just have loved it if it was called 'Three Lakes, Canada'?

[will-o-whisper.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'm not interested in that connection as an American. I live here; if I wanted to play Life in America I'd go outside. :|

[peasant007.livejournal.com]

I didn't even think about that aspect, but you are absolutely correct. That was the entire point of creating the Simlish language and such: so it felt like it could be anywhere, not just one specific country or culture.

[sophie10.livejournal.com]

Ick! Well I'm definitley not buying Sims 3 now. At least not until they remake Seasons and Nightlife.

[witnessthine.livejournal.com]

THIS

[sinderellah.livejournal.com]

Given my dislike for the Vacation EPs in the first place, and now reading more about it... I certainly won't be picking this up. Would have much preferred pets or something. :(

[pearkiwi.livejournal.com]

This, pretty much.

There are so many other things they could do, they pick a Vacation EP first? Fail.

[cindyanne1.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not enough to lure me back from Azeroth, that's for darn sure. *folds arms*

TS3 needs to get some decent facial hair for the males and yes, for God's sake... fix those darn genetics!

[petchy-14.livejournal.com]

"...around the globe for the first time ever and seek out new adventures. While exploring the landmarks of an exotic city, there is no telling what the Sims will find. From mastering martial arts in Shang Simla, China, discovering rich culture and famous landmarks on a romantic getaway to Champs Les Sims, France or exploring the depths of ancient tombs in Al Simhara, Egypt, players can take their Sims on a journey that will change their Sims’ lives. Players can accept challenges to search for secret treasures, learn new skills and chase down new personal opportunities, meet new Sims..."

Well there is one Problem of yours gone! :)

Personally, I'm just going to wait until I get it - some EPs we didn't like the idea of originally, and then they turned into the best ones - OHAI Aparment Life - so I'm looking hopeful and due to TS3 being more rooted into TS1's style, somewhat, it might be just like Good Old S1's Vacation :D

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Well there is one Problem of yours gone! :)

Well, not really. Those places are still in China, France (I typed "Frances" - LOL!), and Egypt.

Do you really find Sims 3 to be like Sims 1? I really don't. It's more and more about getting those poor sims "out of the house" and I never had a problem with the house in the first place.

[petchy-14.livejournal.com]

I was reffering to the part when you said:
...which was an obvious reference to certain European countries, but it had its own twist...
You see, They even added the word "Sim" to their names, and not left it as like "Sim Paris" or "SimDesert" or "Sim East". We don't have the game yet, so who knows what might happen - but I doubt that they will have the Simeffel Tower, but Maybe the Plumbbob Tower instead! :D
All in all, We don't really know what its going to be like, will we? I mean, if at the start of TS2 we found out that we would be having a neighbourhood called Veronaville that was basically a TS2 twist on Romio&Juliette with hints to every play Shakespere ever wrote, it doesn't sound as charm-y and as inviting as it does now. :)

I actually do. Of the little I have played, I have found that it is a Sequal to TS1 and not to TS2. Amazing as it might sound, I found that TS1 was more about getting out and about in the town; Think of all the extra things they added - Old town [Community Lots, and Pet shops]; Downtown [Resteraunts]; Vacation Island [Hotels and Tourist Spots]; Sim!Holliwood [Studio lots, Grand Openings and everything to do with becomming a Star]; Magic Town [Carnival Items, Magical Shops]; And not to mention the Craftables - you had to Collect things in there too, Ingrediants, Souveniers, everything!
I didn't have a Problem with the houce, but I got bored of simply "Playing" TS2..?

[zepheera.livejournal.com]

Technically from a story standpoint, the Sims 3 is a prequel to Sims 1, not a sequel.

I actually have enjoyed playing with Sims 3, however I'm finding that Sims 2 has more versatility and charm. Really, the only thing Sims 3 has over Sims 2 for me is the lack of time spent loading whenever I want to do anything not in the house.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I think he means the style of gameplay in Sims 3 seems more directly descended from Sims 1 than Sims 2.

The prequel factor is another reason I'm left slightly cold by Sims 3. I would have been a lot more interested in premades if they'd gone with a sequel instead, set a couple of generations into the future. I think I'd be happier with a whole new cast, even. I'm not fond of prequels, as a rule. It's a hard sell for me.

If I was giving a full review, I'd also mention the story progression and the open neighbourhood as things I enjoy about Sims 3, and they did improve the interactions and how easy it is to customize everything, but like I said, it's really starting to feel like a different game.

[ownsimscorner.livejournal.com]

I`m actually pretty fond of prequels. I like to explore where it all began... ;) Maybe it`s the history lover in me. Still I think TS3 could have made a better job with it.

[meetme2theriver.livejournal.com]

Except that the problem is:

Shang Simla, China, discovering rich culture and famous landmarks on a romantic getaway to Champs Les Sims, France or exploring the depths of ancient tombs in Al Simhara, Egypt.

A fictive town in France is still a town in France. ;)

[petchy-14.livejournal.com]

Ahh, But is a Fictive town somewhere in Easten Europe, still not in Easten europe? :D

[meetme2theriver.livejournal.com]

But it never says it's IN Europe, it's just "European inspired". ;) We'll have to agree to disagree, I guess, but I just don't think directly including real location names is a good idea. Like ST said, it then also implies more heavily that where the sims normally live might just as well be named 'United States of Simerica'.

[meetme2theriver.livejournal.com]

Couldn't agree more. Why would they make a Bon Voyage replica as their first EP anyway? It's got its uses but I still consider it to be one of the least overall useful EPs. I don't need a sim France, either, like you I enjoy it being its own separate, alternative reality kind of world.

Also:
Their task should have been to build a better dollhouse, and only that.

This, along with Pescado's "The Sims 2 is a toy, The Sims 3 is a game" sums up my feelings about TS3. Meh.

(Plus the genetics. I cannot tell you what a huge disappointment that was. D:)

[muslemura.livejournal.com]

Exactly!

[simsinthecity.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately it would be pretty hard, but I wish some hacker could engineer a TS2.5, with the desirable features of TS3 put into the TS2 game engine (or vice versa, but I prefer the former to the latter).

In trying to appeal to a wider audience, they're losing track of the whole point of the game.

It all goes back to what the Wall Street Journal said, which I then pointed out to you: Rod Humble DOESN'T GET IT.

[cameoflage.livejournal.com]

Very much this. I like TS3's graphics (overall -- EA can have my TS2-style Sims only if they're willing to pry them from my cold dead hands) and the trait system has huge potential, just off the top of my head. But for pretty much EVERYTHING ELSE, I'd rather keep TS2.

[simsinthecity.livejournal.com]

And maybe the moodlets, too. I haven't actually played the game, yet, but those seem like a good change. I mean, IRL, people can be in a bad mood without being hungry, tired, etc.

This and the two things you said are all that I want from TS3. And if I had my way, we'd also have potions and genies with unlimited wishes, from The Sims: Livin' Large.

[will-o-whisper.livejournal.com]

Not an adventure game. Adventure games have interesting plots and puzzles. I'd equate Sims 3 more with a real-time strategy game, but without the war or the challenges or anything that makes RTS games worthwhile. :P The thing with moving away from the Sims as a sim is I really don't think EA is going to appeal to that broader audience they're after. I agree that they're trying to turn the Sims into a game, and mediocre one at that - a game that "gamers" aren't going to bother with because there are much better choices out there. Which leaves a disappointed simulation crowd that will eventually stop buying. Everybody loses in this setup, it looks like. :( Except EA, because they don't care.

I hadn't heard about the new expansion, but it sounds like I won't be buying it. I don't want real places in my fantasy world.

[aledstrange.livejournal.com]

Not an adventure game. Adventure games have interesting plots and puzzles
True, good point! still it feels a lot like it to me, though, but totally agree about that. It'd actually be like a very lame adventure game XD

[peasant007.livejournal.com]

Yep yep. Adventure games give you so much better XP and PHAT LEWT when you turn in a collection quest. Not just some lame old space hogger that looks like it would be a pain to dust.

[cameoflage.livejournal.com]

That reminds me of another point: Stapling MMO-RTS-adventure-game stuff onto a Sims game is doomed to failure as an attempt to appeal to the rest of the gaming community, since the Sims series' reputation is that of a domestic-life simulator. Which clearly means it's for girls and must be shunned. Therefore, they're not even going to check it out.

And, for that matter, TS3 still has the aspects that make hardcore gamers go all "SHUUUUUUUUUUUN", so -- just to throw in some wanton metaphor abuse -- it tries to have its cake and eat it too, but ends up as neither fish nor fowl. You're right; everybody loses.

[aledstrange.livejournal.com]

Can't agree with you more, in both terms.

From the first time playing sims 3, it felt like an adventure game, more than a sims game (and I've played a LOT of those games), and now I only needed to see two of those shots to think WTF!!?? are these guys consulting with "The adventure Company" or "Viva Media" to get ideas for the Eps now?? O_0

NOO!!! Wrong way!!! I love adventure games still, but sims is not one!! It doesn't supposes to be one, it shouldn't be one either!!

And also the part of real name/references/locations annoys me a lot, but tbh, with all the excessive realism the game already has, I'm not surprised they did that.

Short words, I'm pretty curious about the ep, yes, but mainly because I do enjoy world-adventure kind of games. As a sim game, I'm very disappointed, I was hoping for more options at customization, better genetics, and/or new creatures or pets, at least. But unfortunately, this only gives a hint on how future Eps will be too.

[sidonzo.livejournal.com]

I both agree and disagree. On one hand I don't really like the sound of having to complete tasks and quests...it does sound really adventure-game based. Just like in theory I don't like rabbit holes either. Yet when I play the actual game, I find that I really enjoy completing the opportunities and the rabbit holes are only bothersome if I am playing one sim. When I am playing a family (which is usually what I play), then they are actually welcome.

I loved the Sims2 and it's quirkiness and yet there was so much that seemed missing to me when I played it. Things that the Sims3 delivers on (such as the open world and aging for everyone). I like how the interactions are more real, because some of the Sims2 actions were just too over the top for me. Yet I think there is much to be said for the silly style of the Sims2. So I totally understand where you and others are coming from and yet I don't really feel the same even though I feel that I should since I loved all of the same things about the Sims2 that you did.

As for the Vacatio EP being first...I have mixed feelings about that as well. It's not what I would have chosen to be first, but Uni wouldn't have been my first choice for the Sims2 either. Also I am not sure how I feel about the puzzels and adventures and all, though I will probably like them when I actually play. Just like I didn't care for the sound of opportunities, but I like them in the game. I also think the screenshots are just gorgeous.

[crushthecamera.livejournal.com]

Yeah, not looking forward to that at all. I didn't like BV because it felt like it was just "We Americans have some stereotypes about other countries. Wanna' see?" (No, actually!) and I can really do without that.

This is probably going to sound totally wanky, but I feel like TS3 doesn't really have the ~*~soul~*~ of the other two, Maxis-made games, which doesn't help matters. TS3 just tacked on some Arrested Development in-jokes and that was it. And the only reason I know that they're AD jokes is because some Americans said so. I feel, much more with TS3, that this is an American game for American people and that people like me just aren't welcome unless it's to be Othered in a skeevy stereotype for American people to ogle.

I mean, that's totally me just being wanky and hyper-sensitive, sure. I am pretty wanky and hyper-sensitive about this kind of thing, because of my own cultural context. I don't really expect people not-from-here ("here" could probably be broadly read as "not America") to viscerally get that the way me and my mob do, and that's fine. It just shits me, basically. Heh.

[wtsims.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that every time I hear something new about TS3 I actually feel more comfortable about sticking with TS2. This is no exception.

What I really don't get is... neither BV nor Vacation were even all that popular. I'm not sure why they'd make the equivalent their first choice.

In general, I tend to agree from what I've seen that TS3 is decidedly not a real successor to TS2. It's different. Possibly okay on its own merits, at least once they iron out the bugs (and, y'know, with the usual allowance for mods) but definitely very, very different.

Anyhow, at the very least, this is doing nothing to increase my desire to buy the game. I think I'll probably end up getting it at some point just to fiddle with it, mind, but probably not for quite a while.

I really wish someone would put together a viable competing life sim, though. If I had a spare couple million dollars, I'd do it...

[madame-ugly.livejournal.com]

I have to admit that every time I hear something new about TS3 I actually feel more comfortable about sticking with TS2. This is no exception.

*nods in agreement*

What I really don't get is... neither BV nor Vacation were even all that popular. I'm not sure why they'd make the equivalent their first choice.

*nods more vigorously and claps*

You can really see the change in management (so to speak) from sims2 to sims3. It's like the new bosses didn't even LOOK at what made sims2 (and 1) successful. They just came in with a "this is what we're going to do and history be damned" bullheadedness.

To me, that's resulted in a watered down version of a game concept I would (and have) bought again and again (the sim/micromanaging type games).

And it makes me wonder what the NEXT EP will be. Something as equally "worthless"?

[simsinthecity.livejournal.com]

If I were to have chosen the first EP, I think it would've been an equivalent to Seasons, Uni, NL, or Pets (from most likely choice to least). I enjoyed Seasons and Uni, because they introduced new playing styles without changing the fundamental concept of what a Sims game is. NL and Pets are more from a fiscal perspective because those have been good sellers for both the first and second game.

As for why this came first, the base game is probably still selling well. They won't really have the need to release a pets EP until a year or two from now, when sales will need something of a pickup. Of course, this will still appeal to those who feel the need to have every single EP.

TS2 and TS3 do not have the same relationship that the first two games had. TS2 took what the first game had, improved some features and added some, while removing little and thus did not fundamentally change the game. That is not what happened this time. There is no successor to The Sims 2.

[cameoflage.livejournal.com]

A point: There's occasional references to real-world countries in item descriptions in the first two games, so technically there's a precedent, but "this is a Japanese wall hanging" is worlds different from "let's go to Japan".

Besides, I didn't even like the offhand references to actual places when they were precisely that and nothing more. I like to think of Simland as a different universe entirely -- one which happens to mirror ours in certain ways -- rather than an adaptation of ours*, and the fact that named Earth countries exist somewhere on SimEarth bothered me even without them appearing in any significant capacity.

*Another example of this philosophy: I don't mind blue pee and blue vomit, because I don't think of Sims as humans-by-another-name viewed through a filter of cartoonishness. Ridiculously similar in most ways, so calling them aliens would be misleading, but... not humans.

[autumnparanoia.livejournal.com]

How much I want Sims 3 has just gone down a lot. Sims 2, you may stay.


I didn't buy Bon Voyage for a reason: it didn't interest me at all. This interests me even less.

[mystikxxmoon.livejournal.com]

lurker here! *waves* I just wanted to chip in on this particular discussion!

I've had ts3 since it came out, and I've already lost interest in it and I am in the process of getting back all my ts2 downloads/reinstalling ts2.

The sims in ts2 seemed... I don't know. More alive. Like they had little virtual souls somewhere in their pixel-bodies. The sims in ts3 are kind of lifeless.

I love the quick loading times, and I LOVE the graphics, and the ability to change age lengths... but all the pros ts3 has just don't measure up to ts2.

I wasn't too happy about ts3 when they announced it, but as the release date got closer I admit I was excited... but I kept an open mind and promised myself I would be honest. After two months of playing, now that the novelty has worn off... ts3 is exactly what some people are calling it; Just another game.

TS2, for me, was a hobby. I may not have written any amazing stories like you have here, and I may not have made any gorgeous custom content, or released amazing movies... but I was proud of my sims and I had fun talking about them to other people. With ts3 it's just... meh. Whatever.

I'm looking forward to being able to play ts2 again, even though it sucks to have to go back to playing every household when I want them to age. :P

[poppyperson.livejournal.com]

I agree that's a stupid choice of the first expansion pack. I would have done it Pets, nightlife, uni, seasons, free time, and finally Apartment life. I bought the game over the net today, becoz I really want to try it out.