Twenty years ago...

We all have days in our life that stand out for various reasons.  Good, bad, momentous, whatever.  They all stand out.  The first time I played The Sims is one of those days for me.  Which coincidentally was the release day, February 4, 2000.

I don't remember much of my playing that day but I do remember installing it, reading the manual (RIP Mergatroid Fishlips you never got the recognition you deserve) and then meeting Bob and Betty.  They were new to the neighborhood, as was I.  I helped Betty get a job.  I helped Bob get a chair (oh that orange recliner!) then they danced the night away listening to the Latin station.

Listening to that Base Game sound track still brings me back to that time.  Yeah, it's probably stupid to feel that way about a video game but it seems there's an emotional attachment to this franchise that isn't there for many others.

So yeah, it started 20 years ago today.  Four main versions in, console versions, side games (Castaway for PS2, Urbz and The Sims Medieval especially) and looks like Sims 5 is on the horizon.  Amazing!  I could probably go on and on but I at least wanted to acknowledge today on this crappy little blog.

I think I'm going to end this year and go revisit Bob and Betty (Sims 4 version) and we'll dance the night away to the Latin station just like old times.

Go 4th and Sim!
Simmer 4 Life!

Random Sims Musing 10-22-18: Dear Whiners

Perhaps I'm starting this off a bit harsh.  Maybe I'm just at an age where my crankiness skill is nearly maxed out.  Or maybe I'm just tired of people whining.

The embargo has been lifted from the latest Sims Camp and my YouTube and Twitter feeds are flooded with the new game footage.  I've watched a bit, just to get some different perspectives and see what's coming.  I'm liking what I see and I think this can be a very fun pack to play with.  Especially to let your imagination run wild with storytelling possibilities.

Then I make the mistake of reading comments and responses.  I know that's Internet 101 NEVER READ COMMENTS!!  And most of them are whiny.

"The world is too small."
"They're teasing us with cars!"
"Why didn't they put that one thing in that I want that I know everyone else wants???!!?!?!?!?!?!?"

Look Sims 4 isn't the game I would make if I could.  But neither was Sims 3, Sims 2 or The Sims that started it all.  There's been things I loved, things I liked and things I hated in each one.  Each pack brings something new to the game that it's in.  I use these things and if they're good I keep using it and if not I don't.  I'm looking at you, Vlad!  Stop creeping around my neighborhoods!

Anyway...

But Maxis has been listening.  Toddlers and Terrain Tools anyone?  There's been much more community involvement from the Gurus answering questions from everyone they can.  Even when they can't provide an answer.  They're just a group of people who are trying to do a job for an audience that isn't always grateful.  And yes, I'll include myself in that at times.

This game is what it is.  Shut up and play.  Or don't.

Here's Bella Goth giving the old stink eye.

Go 4th and Sim!
Simmer 4 Life!

Disabilities in Sims 4?

There seems to be some discussions lately on Twitter about adding in different options for disabilities in Sims 4.  Even a few speculation videos on YouTube.  Overall the response has been positive and Sim Guru Grant is saying they are looking into it.

Well...um.

Let me put it this way...I think it's great that the Sims 4 team want to be able to include all sorts of possibilities into this game.  It's important for some people to have "someone just like me" to play.  It's great for telling a story.  If that's your thing.

See, I don't play very realistically.  My sims never age or die.  They all live quite comfortably.  My sims have stories but I don't share much.  I've tried to play realistic type scenarios and honestly it was pretty depressing.  I love the Sims world as it was created.  I love the lightheartedness of it.  I have enough worries in my own life and I don't want to bring that into my gaming.

If by some chance it's added, it's not something I will ever use.  It doesn't fit my play style.  Honestly, I don't think it will ever be added.  I'm not sure there's a big enough audience for it and let's face it they have to make stuff to please the majority of players.  I really don't feel I can make this sound as if it's not heartless.  That's not where I'm coming from.   We all play The Sims for our own reasons.  I like it as an escape.

I'd rather see things like University or a vacation expansion added because I'd get more use out of that.  I gotta say leave this area to the modders because they could probably do it better than anyone else.

Go 4th and Sim!
Simmer 4 Life!

Random Sim Musings-The future of The Sims

There's been a whole lot of talk lately about the future of this beloved game.  There's been layoffs! Crappy packs released!  No information at all!  Too, too quiet!  WTF is going on!?!?!?!?

I have no answers.  If I did I'd probably be getting free stuff and the Sim Gurus would know me.  But I digress.

Yes, things have been quiet.  There has been some house cleaning so to speak.  And that last pack...well, the less said the better.  But right now they don't have a community manager to relay information and they did just put up a bunch of job listings for The Sims 4 and other projects so this franchise is not dead yet.  I still have hopes things will be released in a timely manner.  There is still quite a bit to go with this version.  Like Seasons and University, which I'm sure will come.

Now about Sims 5...I don't think there will be one anytime soon.  I think many long time simmers (like me) are slightly burnt out on the series and who knows about new players.  But ya know I have no information about any of this and it's just my random musings.

What I would like to see is a stand alone Sims title on PC.  Sims 2 had the Stories games and Sims 3 had Medieval.  It probably wouldn't be well received by the public but personally I like having a title that doesn't fit the typical Sims playing mold.  Some of my favorite titles were on the PS2, The Urbz and Sims Castaway.  And I did like Medieval.  They were nice distractions that were familiar but just different enough to be new.

I think what I would really like to see is a full on World Adventures/Jungle Adventure type game.  Which I suppose would be like Castaway.  Something more mission based but you can ignore it if you want.  I love what they added with the jobs the objectives.  I tend to sometimes just watch my game and direct them if they need something.  But I do find myself paying more attention when they have stuff to do.

But my big wish is to see a relaunch of Sim Copter.  There is definitely a hole in the simming market for one.  I just keep throwing it out into the universe and hopefully it get heard.

"Sim Copter 1, reporting heavy traffic!"

I mean there's already a helicopter in Sims 4.  I'd love to be able to fly around all those parts of the worlds we can't actually play.  Traffic jams!  Protesters!  People falling into the water!  Fun, fun, fun!  All that with the graphics of Sims 4.  Winner, winner chicken dinner!

And with that I sign off.  Always keep on dreaming!

Go 4th and Sim!

Simmer4Life

That time of year

It's about that time of year where I make vague promises of grand plans and then ignore everything until I do it all over again!

Woo hoo.

Go 4th and Sim!
Simmer 4 Life!

Random Non-Sims Musings: Uncharted Version 5-24-16

Or The Best Game I've Never Played.

For the past 15 plus years The Sims has pretty much been the only game I've played.  There was a few other titles on the PS2 but mostly Sims titles.  I've been aware of other games so I haven't been totally chillin with The Goths all these years.  It's only within the that few years (Thanks YouTube!) that I've really followed more game titles.

When GTA V was released a few years ago I got caught up in the hype.  I watched videos, live streams, read articles.  Even scoured Wikipedia for background.  Never knew that there were so many titles in the series!  Wow!  Grand Theft Auto V because the first Best Game I've Never Played.

Okay, I'll admit that I mostly got my video game info from Watch Mojo videos.  Great time killer, I highly recommend them.  Anyway, one game that always shows up in their lists besides the Zelda games, is the Uncharted series.  I mean how could anyone not love Nathan Drake?  I know I couldn't!

I managed to catch a few livestreams of the earlier games and could not believe the details of them.  Less of a video game than an interactive movie.  Excellent stuff.  Which brings me to the release of Uncharted 4:  A Thief's End.

Holy shit!

This is one of the most beautiful games I've ever seen.  The action holds up to any Hollywood movie.  The story is just outstanding.  And most importantly for me...a happy freaking ending.  The amount of detail that went into everything is amazing.  It really sets the bar pretty high for any video game in the future.

This is supposed to be the last installment in the series.  It's a good one to end it.

Even with all this I still have a few nitpicky things.

Does Nate only pack one outfit per location?  I get it when the action happens over the course of a day.  But there were times where the action moved onto another day and there he was in the same shirt and pants.

How does that chunk of hair that always seems to not make it into Elena's bun not drive her crazy?  I get that she's not a super girly girl but I know when I have a few hairs out of place I'm not satisfied until they are all someplace where they won't annoy me.

And lastly, don't think Nate and Elena should say anything about Cassie cleaning her room because they aren't exactly the neatest people.  Let the girl go to Antarctica!

Now I think I need to get my hands on a PS4 so I can play these games for myself.

I've just realized that I've probably spent more time writing about a game that I haven't even played than I have about Sims 4.  But that's a topic for another day.  Hopefully sooner than a year from now.

Go 4th and Sim!

June Happenings

It's the big month of June here as Sim Acres and there are exciting things planned!  We're already five days into Random Picture June!  And today is the first of First Part Fridays!

Just sharing the first part of stories I've started that may or may not ever get finished!  Great, great stuff!

Today's first installment of First Part Friday is one going back to 2013!

Introducing Lenny!

Go 4th and Sim!

Simmer 4 Life