In the latest Inside Maxis Livestream, we were introduced to scenarios. This is a brand-new feature for The Sims 4 that will be landing in game next week for all players.
If you missed the Livestream yesterday or don’t know what these new scenarios are, they are official, pre-made Challenges created by The Sims Team. While, we will be starting with two scenarios next week, these being “Making Money” and “Finding Love After a Breakup.” We will also see a variety of new scenarios, including “limited-time” scenarios, added in the future.
You find out more in-depth information about the upcoming scenarios feature as well as check out the replay from the Inside Maxis Livestream here.
If we were to look back to mid-September, The Sims Team revealed the Season of Selves. Along with the image featured above, the community was given an insight into what was planned to be coming to The Sims 4 over the next several months. The image hinted about something that would add dimensions to our Sims’ lives, more ways for us to customize spaces with colour, and unlock new ways to play. While there was a lot of speculation as to what this could be, a number of players thought that we may see the addition of the Colour Wheel in some form or a new feature we haven’t seen before in The Sims 4. This speculation continued up until the most recent Inside Maxis Livestream.
Now that we know that the feature described is in fact the new scenarios, the community appeared to have mixed reactions to the reveal. While a number of players seemed to welcome the new feature, there were many players who remained undecided and some who felt that the new feature would be similar to some of the well-known community created challenges.
Just to recap, during the livestream, the first two scenarios were discussed with “Making Money” being showcased, but we also were told that the next two scenarios would be titled “Too Many Toddlers” and “Perfectly Well-Rounded.” Although we currently don’t know any more information about the latter of the two. It appears that The Sims Team have plans for adding new scenarios on a regular basis going forward.
Here’s a look at some of the thoughts and opinions that the community had after the new scenarios feature was announced.
(2/2) or that they could later be implemented to pop up during natural gameplay instead of being something you have to choose from the start menu
— spooKy (@TheSpookySimmer) October 27, 2021
Tbh one thing that kept me from getting more into challenges was the lack of proper UI integration. The money scenario is extremely simple though, you don’t need a tracker for that but I hope others are going to be more complex.
— ronahi 🦇 (@murnauk) October 26, 2021
They could be interesting, especially if they incorporate scenarios that don’t resemble current community challenges.
— 🎃DorianKoholi🎃 (@DorianKoholi) October 27, 2021
I think it’ll work really well for players who aren’t a part of the online sims community. Before I got into sims YouTube I didn’t know most of these challenges existed or how to use cheats, but I always wanted new ideas for playing, so I think it’ll be helpful for that.
— Beth (@bam914) October 27, 2021
Branch out the scenario. Like instead of it just straight up being rags to riches, why not set extra goals, like get 3 skills to level 10 or have a successful career. These are just basic ideas of what scenarios could become, but for right now I just think it’s too limited.
— a mess (@icybluotaku) October 27, 2021
It’s helpful for console players. Using money cheats, even to reduce funds, voids Achievements in that save. This system will allow console players to play challenges that PC/Mac players have had available for years, without voiding progress.
— EmmaVane (@Vane_Sims) October 26, 2021
I think this feature has soms potential if they add scenarios with “real” constraits but for now i don’t find it “revolutionary”
— 🍁Yaya🍂#blacklivesmatter (@sulsul_sim) October 27, 2021
Simsontherope also made an interesting thread sharing his thoughts on Scenarios.
I will reformulate my opinion about yesterday’s livestream.
I don’t see the need for scenarios, we already have the Aspirations in game which had almost the same purpose, to give us goals (before they become tutorials for new packs).
It’s maybe great for new players, but.. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/AAyCMcdnYu
— Rope🌿 (@simsontherope) October 27, 2021
As well as Chani_ZA who also shared her thoughts on yesterday’s announcement in another thread.
Nah nah nah nah this is @TheSims taking community based challenges and putting them into the game “officially”
“Too Many Toddlers”?? 100 Baby Challenge.
“Perfectly Well Rounded?” Not So Berry.
Bleh. Not a fan. #TheSims4— SpookyChani.exe 🎃👻 (@Chani_ZA) October 26, 2021
With such a variety of different thoughts and opinions on the topic, it will be interesting to see how The Sims Team progress with scenarios, as well as what additional ideas they have for future scenarios.
There are definitely a number of positives, negatives and even just being unsure about scenarios at the moment. This is still a fresh announcement where we all have questions that need answering but are still waiting for many of those answers.
Let us know what you think about the new scenarios in the comments below or over on social media!
I am not overly impressed with scenarios myself, they just feel like an official copy of the exisiting challenges. I guess there is some value for them for console and more casual players who do not partake in these challenges, but for the rest it’s rather meh.
From the selection of comments regarding the scenarios I have the feeling that no comment was utterly excited about this new feature. There were things like “this is okay, this may have some use for certain players” and stuff like that, but nothing was really enthusiastic.
On a personal note, I hope we won’t get too many time-limited scenarios. I hate features, that make you feel you’re missing out on something if you can’t play during a specific period of time.
I honestly thought they’d use this feature to permanently bring back the positivity challenge. Like I wasn’t around for it, but it feels like this would have been a better use to start it with than make stuff more official
I’m fully prepared to be disappointed ☹️
I think its time for them to stop working on the sims franchise, full stop. No more updates, no more content, no sims 5. Nobody likes the sims. Its an unpopular game that has had nothing anyone liked for over a decade. Literally no one plays it, its just something for everyone to hate and complain about. Just give the devs a generous severance and shut it all down. At thia point it would be better for the mental health of the devs and the few ppl who like the game and are afraid to say anything nice about it.
I think there are quite a few players (millions?) that are not super invested in the Sims community, and for them this might be a fun addition! I’ll have a look at this webpage once in a while (half-invested in sims?), but have never tried any challenges so I’m excited for it. Sometimes feels like hardcore simmers forget that the game isn’t only for them.
I like that they’re incentivising challenges! I think it’s a step toward improving gameplay. However, I was expecting a bigger base game update or another pack refresh announcement. Many of us have invested too much money into this broken game and they need to give us more free content to make up for it.