Some interesting news are coming today for those who are looking for a fresh new simulation game! In case you haven’t caught on, we’re talking about Paradox Tectonic Life by You!
Last week we reported on the news about a big announcement from the game development studio behind Cities: Skylines. Paradox Interactive has announced a showcase for March 6th featuring showcases for different games lead by different studios within Paradox.
It’s been confirmed that one of their studios Paradox Tectonic is lead by Rod Humble. Who previously worked at EA / Maxis as an Executive Producer for The Sims 2. He also later claimed the role of Executive Vice President of The Sims at EA before stepping down in 2010. In March 2019 he formed an internal studio called Paradox Tectonic and now they’re announcing Life by You, which could be the first Sims 4 competitor.
Rod Humble as seen in The Sims 2 FreeTime, via Mod The Sims
Life by You – New Simulation Game from Paradox Interactive
Insider Gaming reported on the new details from the upcoming Paradox Interactive show, including the news about the new game called Life by You.
Life By You is a life simulator game from Paradox Tectonic. Insider Gaming wasn’t given much in the way of information, but Paradox will be announcing an upcoming show centered around the game to air on March 20. That is when platforms and features will be fully revealed, per sources.
Cities Skylines – A City Building Simulation from Paradox Interactive
If Paradox Tectonic Life by You is any good as the city building sim from Paradox Interactive, we’re in for a treat. Still, it’s too early to tell what Paradox Tectonic is cooking up. Best thing to do is to tune in for the Paradox Interactive Showcase – which begints at 6PM Central European Time!
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Paradox Tectonic game, Life by You? Join the discussion below and stay tuned for more updates after the show!
Adults get more opportunities (and more risks) in The Sims 4 Growing Together!
Ever heard of a Sims 4 Midlife Crisis?
The Sims Team talked a lot about Infants and young Sims life stages in the latest Growing Together livestream. Still, adults had an interesting segment in the livestream where developers talked more about new features for Adults and their Careers.
You can expect several new features as your Sims step into adulthood in Growing Together, including:
Sims 4 Midlife Crisis
Midlife Crisis is a new thing that can happen to Adult Sims as they grow up through that life stage! These basically function as temporary Aspirations that after completion, your Sims can continue with the previous one. There are 4 different Midlife Crises that the developers mentioned.
One of the new Midlife Crises featured in the stream was Desire for Adventure:
Midlife Crisis Feature Preview
The devs confirmed that this feature is optional, meaning that your Sims can just “wait throught it”. If you decide to play it through you’ll notice that the Crisis will last shorter and you’ll get beneficial moodlets after it’s over.
Workplace Rival
This is something that can happen if you’re in a Career. Your Sim sometimes won’t be able to get a promotion because of a Workplace Rival. You’ll have to resolve it at work or invite the rival over to try and resolve it.
Workplace Rival
Both ways of resolution will bring new interactions that will give you a chance to settle the beef. If you’re at work, you can see the interactions by clicking your Sim icon.
@GrimSuruDoi hinted that if the Workplace Rival Sim dies by any chance, they won’t stand in your way for promotion anymore.
Burnout System
Not specifically related to Careers, but there’s a general new feature for Adult Sims that will affect Careers as well. The developer shared the following:
If you’re going too hard on particular Skill building or working too hard, your Sim may indicate to you that they need a break. They’ll need to do something that’s different and creative. However, if they’re just doing creative things, they’ll need to do something else to take a break from that.
Lay-offs in The Sims 4!
“We’ve added the opportunity to get laid off!” laughed the game developers, while also confirming that getting fired is a new feature.
When you go to work, there’s a chance that the company is going through “restructuring”. Meaning that there’s going to be lay-offs. You may be able to do just fine – working a little extra hard during that period.
If you do get laid off, we added some interesting options afterwards. If you have friends, they might come in to check on you. There’s also some other features when searching for jobs after just being laid off.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming features for Adult Sims? Join the conversation below!
Stay tuned for more information about The Sims 4 Growing Together. Until then, take a look at some of the Gameplay Objects coming!
Each event brings a unique new reward. Take a look!
With so much to discover and learn about the new expansion pack during the recent live stream, it’s time to take a look at the new social events coming with Growing Together.
While we don’t know the full details of each specific event, players were able to get a quick overview of what they were.
The three new social events that are coming with The Sims 4 Growing Together are:
Family Reunion
Baby Shower
Slumber Party
With three new social events, it opens up even more gameplay and storytelling opportunities for your Sims in Growing Together.
Growing Together with Family Reunions
The Family Reunion event will cost your Sims $200, but can also open up a variety of ways to tell your Sims stories. Described as an event that can consist of guests from both your family tree, close family members, and even friends, it’s all about celebrating what family means. Take photographs, share a meal, and have fun.
First look at the Family Reunion event screen
Successful family reunions will reward you with various photo collage frames to help your Sims commemorate the occasion!
Baby Shower
Another highly anticipated new social event coming in Growing Together is Baby Showers. So grab your family and friends and celebrate the new addition to your family! It’s also important to remember that your Sim doesn’t need to be pregnant to hold this event, either.
A glimpse of the Baby Shower Event Screen
Upon successful completion of the Baby Shower event and obtaining a gold level status, you will be rewarded with a new bassinet.
ARTICLE UPDATE:@SimGuruMorgan shared a new screenshot of a new bassinet!
Baby Shower Social Event – Reward Object
This bassinet can be unlocked by completing the goaled Baby Shower event.
Slumber Parties return in Growing Together!
Nothing beats a good old slumber party! Better still, your Sims get to use the new sleeping bags that come with Growing Together!
Even though this social event is not a goaled event, Sims will be able to stay up late, eat snacks, tell stories and more! Who knows what could happen!
Slumber Party event overview screen
SimGuruMorgan revealed the item that you unlock with the goaled Slumber Party Event. Take a look at the Toddler Sleeping Bags and their variants!
Slumber Party Social Event – Reward Object
With three new social events coming in upcoming expansion, there will definitely be plenty of ways to integrate these into our game play. However, they also open up more story telling ideas. By using any of these new events or the Temporary Stays will give you endless possibilities for stories!
What do you think of the upcoming social events in The Sims 4 Growing Together? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more information about the upcoming expansion pack!
Go in-depth with new Gameplay Objects coming with Growing Together!
There’s so many gameplay objects that have been revealed during the Growing Together livestream. From large items like Treehouses and Movie Theater to Changing Tables and Marriage Certificates. There’s a lot of gameplay items to unpack!
Without further ado, let’s see the preview of interactive new items:
Growing Together Gameplay Items
Suitcase with useful interactions!
The brand new Suitcases are more than just for looks! This objects from Sims 4 Growing Together allows players to change outfits and use it as a regular dresser.
Kyle with the Suitcase
The Suitcase will be an elemental part of the new Temporary Stay Over Events. However, you’ll also be able to find the object in Build Mode!
Preview of Suitcase interactions
You can also drag the Suitcase anywhere while in Live Mode.
Milestone Unlocked Objects
Big milestone moments in your life which are tracked through Simology panel might also bring new milestone objects!
It was revealed in the livestream that
Having a new child, going to school for your first day will give you some decorative items! This includes Marriage Certificates, Baby Prints, School Drawings and more.
Milestone objects
Sims can have interactions to reminisce on them depending on how they felt on that event and their age.
Treehouses
Sit down, there’s a lot to uncover about Treehouses!
Building a Treehouse
Sims can build a Treehouse together with their friends and family! When it’s purchased it’s fully unbuilt. When a Sim starts to build they have to be a Teen or older. Children can also join to help out the process.
Treehouse Interactions
Once it’s fully built, it becomes fully functional. Sims can go up and down via the ladder. They can play on the balcony and sit on the bench, as well as interact with the enclosure.
Treehouse Decoration States
You can decorate the treehouse with four different decorations, including:
Fairy Tale Castle Decorations
Island Getaway
Pirate Hideout
Space Explorer
These states will match with the Play Pretend styles your young Sims can do!
Space ExplorerPirate HideoutFairy Tale CastleIsland GetawayDifferent Treehouse Decorations
There are options in Build Mode that allow you to search for objects that can be placed in a Treehouse! Search for “Placeable on Treehouse“ in the Build Mode search bar for a list of specific objects.
Yup, the telescope is one of those objects!
Telescope on Treehouse placement
Treehouse WooHoo
Yes, Sims can have WooHoo on the Treehouse! More information on that after the Pack release!
Kids Bikes
@GrimSuruDoi revealed some new information about Kids Bikes during the stream:
Kids need to learn the bike first! Once they’ve done that, they can use it as a vechile for travelling. Just like Sims adults can!
Bike for Kids – Interactions Preview
Growing Together features six new Kids bikes with different variants. Each bike has slightly different accessories, with variants differing in:
Horn
Light
Noise Maker
and more! These can give you specific advantages and features for Kids. Just make sure they learn how to ride it first.
Child Sim learning to ride a bike
Child Sims who are trying to learn how to ride a bike might slip sometimes and lose their tooth. Better watch out!
Keepsake Box
The new Keepsake box is a box where you can pass on certain items from the family onto generations. Essentially, it serves a purpose of being an inventory for family memories.
Keepsake Box interactions
If you are an elder close enough with somebody else in your family, you can pass the box to that Sim!
The box has sentimental values that you can choose through the Ponder interaction, featuring:
Ponder the Meaning of Family
Friendship Bracelets!
The developers confirmed that if you have Nifty Knitting and / or cottage living, you can also stitch them!
But if you don’t – they can be made regularly through the Kids’ activity table.
Friendship Bracelet Variants
Friendship bracelets can be exchanged with other Sims within your lot that meet the criteria!
Changing Tables
This Expansion Pack brings Changing Tables to the mix. Here, you can easily change Toddler and Infant diapers.
Woops!
The trash can that you see up on top was added in as a seperate object. If you don’t have a trash can nearby then diapers will accumulate around the tables.
Public Changing Tables?
@TheHenfordHen spotted that the ability to change diapers in a public venue. However, more info is definitely needed!
Events Cannon
This draggable cannon is made specifically for the events in The Sims 4 Growing Together!
Photo Collage Frames
An interesting reward from the new Family Reunion Event will allow you to unlock different photo frames! There are large and small photo frames that you can use and stack on top of each other.
All it takes for you is to drag wall photos onto the new frame to a position you want!
New Family Portrait Frames!
The Movie Theater
Featuring new Simlish Movie titles!
Movie Theater Rabbit Hole in San Sequoia
Water Gameplay Objects!
All of the objects shown below are available in the Build Mode catalogue. You can design your own water park area, considering there’s more splash pads and variants!
Splash Pad Objects!
The developers confirmed Cats & Dogs will also have interactions with the Splash Pads.
New Game Tables
There are two new games available at the Game Tables: Simbles and Puzzles!
You’ll be able to set the new game table activities by simply interacting with it.
Simbles and Puzzles!
Puzzles Gameplay
There are several premade puzzles your Sims can complete alone (or together). Or, you can take a photo from reference and have that photo be a puzzle for your Sims to complete!
Sims can be mischevious throughout completing a puzzle and Steal a Piece. After completing the puzzle, you can clean it up or frame it.
Puzzle photo from reference!
Infant Back Carriers, Sleeping Bags and more!
There’s more objects waiting to be revealed. As stated by SimGuruNinja and SimGuruMorgan, some objects from the pack haven’t been shown in the livestream. Such as the Back Carriers, Sleeping Bags for Stay Overs and more!
Learn about the options to redeem The Sims 4 Sleepover Set on Consoles.
EA and Maxis have released a new Sims 4 Sleepover Sleepwear Set this week. Unfortunately, this “surprise” release of a Create A Sim Sleepwear Set was followed by a confirmation that it’s Console Exclusive. Tied into another exclusivity which is the EA Play Membership.
As the news settled down, we’ve found useful information on best ways to redeem the set on Xbox and Playstation. For PC users, there are various workarounds circling the internet for the time being.
Claim the Set on Xbox
There are two ways to claim the Sleepover Sleepwear Set on Xbox One / Xbox Series X/S platforms, including:
It’s been confirmed that if you join either of these subscriptions you’ll claim the Sleepover Sleepwear Set. The unlocked items will remain yours to keep even after your subscription ends.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and EA Play Subscribers can now claim The Sims 4 Sleepover Sleepwear. Available until March 29th.
If you’re playing on Playstation, you’ll only be able to redeem the Set through the EA Play subscription. Just like with Xbox, Playstation players will be able to keep the set after the subscription ends.
The set was already unlocked in the beginning of February by some Sims 4 modders. That dates back when we didn’t know such Set would be locked behind platforms and subscriptions!
For PC Players who are looking to find out if the Set is releasing for them officially, we don’t have a valid confirmation yet. EA_Cade did point out that the set is “Console Exclusive for now”. But we could also be looking into it. If there’s a time to check if the set comes out for PC, it should be after March.
It’s equally important to know that there are several new solutions available for unlocking this set on PC / Mac. However, all of them result in the CAS items being displayed as modded content. Rather than official.
Preset Overview found through Sims 4 Studio / Screen by @Mushilda
I personally won’t be sharing links to those mods directly as the morality of them has shifted after the announcement. Still, they are out there! Most of the popular solutions online seem to be working as intended.
The Sims 4 Growing Together live stream was packed full of brand-new information for players. One topic in particular that the team showcased was the upcoming Temporary Stay aka Stay Over event.
Kyle coming over for the Stay Over Event
This Growing Together event involves a Sim staying with your household for a short period of time. This can be anything from a singular day or up to six days. The event can be initiated in one of two ways. The first can be via the player. The second is by an in-game prompt.
NPC Initiated Temporary Stay
If an NPC initiates a Stay Over event in the Growing Together expansion, you’ll receive a call in the form of an on-screen pop-up. There is no saying if certain interactions will trigger it more often however, it appears to be a random event at the moment. Players will also have the choice to accept the event or decline the event.
Stay Over NPC Prompt
Player Initiated Temporary Stay
The other way that players can start this event is by adding it manually via the in-game calendar. While specifics as to how much control you have over the event weren’t explored during the Growing Together live stream it is likely to be similar to creating other events manually.
Stay Overs will be marked in The Sims 4 Calendars! / Source
The calendar will also show you exactly how many days the Sim is staying. Additionally, the Stay Over event will display in its own segment in the calendar too.
Don’t worry if you have other events on the same day that your temporary stay Sims are with you. This event will not conflict with it! Another reason why this is a great feature for storytellers!
Growing Together with Stay Overs
Your Sims will make themselves at home when they arrive and will bring their own suitcase. It even doubles as a dresser of sorts that your Sims can interact with and take with you!
New Suitcase Interactions allow you to Change Clothes anywhere
The Sims Team also made sure to add a couple of suitcases for players to use in Build Mode! One for adult Sims and one for child Sims.
More About Temporary Stays in Growing Together
While Sims who are staying make themselves at home, you can also ask them to relax, help around the house, and more.
However, there are a number of reasons why your Sim could be presented with a temporary stay opportunity in The Sims 4 Growing Together. Maybe the NPC Sim is going through a bad time and needs the company of a good friend or fellow family member. It could be the In-Laws coming to stay after the arrival of a newborn Sim. A family friend or long lost family member. Whatever the reason, these temporary stays can add another level to your game and story!
What do you think of the upcoming Temporary Stays event in The Sims 4 Growing Together? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned for more information about the upcoming expansion pack!
Full list of the new preferences coming with The Sims 4 Growing Together!
Two New Categories: Sim Characteristics and Conversation Topics
The Likes & Dislikes system in The Sims 4 is getting a massive overhaul with the addition of The Sims 4 Growing Together! Additionally, we’re getting two new categories of likes and dislikes that are more about who Sims are at their core. Also, these new categories of likes and dislikes are going to help determine social compatibility between individual Sims.
Moreover, the two new categories of Likes & Dislikes are Sim Characteristics and Conversation Topics. Also, these categories are platonic in nature. All Sims from the child age and up will have a social compatibility score with each other at the platonic level. However, social compatibility can still make pursuing a romantic connection easier or harder. Some specific Sim Characteristics and Conversation Topics will be locked for child Sims, such as romance-oriented ones.
Sims 4 Likes and Dislikes: How Do They Work?
When a Sim selects their likes and dislikes in the new categories, the game will calculate a compatibility score based on those selections whenever they meet a new Sim. Also, this compatibility score will take both Sims’ preferences into account.
Sims Characteristics
Cerebral Sim Characteristic Description
Additionally, there are 18 different characteristics Sims can fall under. These likes and dislikes are:
Ambitionless
Argumentative
Cerebral
Egotistical
Emotional Decision-Makers
Family-Motivated Sims
Funny
Hard-Working
High Energy
Homebody
Idealist
Nature Enthusiasts
Optimistic
Pessimistic
Pet Enthusiasts
Romance Enthusiasts
Rascals
Spirited
There are three main factors the game takes into account when calculating a Sim’s characteristics; their traits, their likes and dislikes in the Activity category, and lifestyles from Snowy Escape. Furthermore, every characteristic has cross-pack compatibility across many different packs for the most diverse experience possible.
Conversation Topics
This Sim dislikes Affection but loves Arguments and Complaints!
Moreover, there are 16 new likes and dislikes in the Conversation Topics category. Conversation Topics determine what types of social interactions Sims love or hate. This is going to add a new challenge in building relationships with different Sims. Also, each individual Sim can have specific types of interactions they will be receptive to or reject. The player will have to put a lot more effort into finding out another Sim’s preferences in order to build meaningful relationships.
Additionally, the Conversation Topic likes and dislikes are:
Affection
Arguments
Complaints
Compliments
Deception
Deep Thoughts
Discussing Hobbies
Discussing Interests
Gossip
Jokes
Malicious Interactions
Potty Humour
Pranks
Silly Behaviour
Small Talk
Stories
Now that Sims can dislike things like Affection but love Arguments, we can create a lot more unique social situations with likes and dislikes in The Sims 4. Individual Sims will have completely different social dynamics with each other when they interact. This is going to make Sims feel more alive than they ever have before.
Miscellaneous Additions
Soul Radio Station
In addition to the new likes and dislikes categories, the new Soul Music radio station will be added under the Music preferences.
Also, all of the above content discussed is exclusive to The Sims 4 Growing Together expansion pack. However, the Sim Gurus did mention that the next base game update will increase the max likes and dislikes limit from 20 to 50 across all categories.
Newborns are getting visual improvements and an expanded skin tone selection!
The Sims 4 Growing Together livestream today gave us lots of new information not just on Growing Together, but on the free infant base game update, too. We expected to get plenty of information on the new infant life stage. What we didn’t expect was a surprise update to newborn babies in The Sims 4!
The livestream showed off a newborn in the new baby bassinet also coming to the base game for free. It was obvious at first glance that the newborn baby had been given some big texture improvements. The Sims 4 babies looked more like actual babies and less like plastic baby dolls. In addition to this, SimGuruGraham also confirmed that babies in The Sims 4 are no longer limited to three basic skin tones. Babies now have the full range of skin tone options that older Sims have. Also, they now have their natural genetic eye colours from birth. This is huge for the game! An update like this makes babies feel a little less like objects and more like a real part of the family.
The Sims 4 Babies: Not Just Looks!
But the changes don’t stop at aesthetics! The babies move more like newborns who have just come home from the hospital, so their animations have been tweaked. Adults can now transition between baby care tasks without having to put the baby back in the bassinet between interactions. The Show Off Baby interaction is easier to complete and is compatible with toddlers now. Also, for players with Seasons installed, babies will now react to being left out in extreme weather conditions. When a baby cries, their caregiver will automatically go tend to their needs, too. Children and toddlers also have a new interaction with babies called Entertain.
New Interaction
Since Sims 4 babies have been redesigned to be more like newborns, their age duration has been shortened. To compensate for this age span change, infant and toddler lifespans have been extended.
Check out all the new infant stuff coming for free!
The Sims Team showed off more of the new content coming in the March 14th base game infant update in The Sims 4. Previously, we only caught glimpses of some of the objects coming with the infant update. Today, the Sim Gurus showed off every object in detail in all swatches!
The new objects are all nursery-themed. Simmers will have more freedom in designing baby nurseries with just the base game. There are plenty of cute rugs, decorative items, and furnishings to help players build the perfect nursery with the base game. For the first time since the game launched 8 years ago, we’re getting a new baby bassinet in the base game! The baby bassinet comes in blue, pink, and various gender-neutral swatches.
Preview of new Bassinet coming in The Sims 4
Sims 4 Infant Update: Upgradable Cribs!
Preview of New Cribs
CribsCribs
New infant cribs will be added to the game as well. There are several new styles of cribs. A lot of them match existing furniture styles in the game so you can match up all the nursery furnishings. Some are more unique. Some of the new cribs can be upgraded into toddler beds so the furniture can age with your Sims. Also, there’s a new travel crib that is live draggable coming in the Sims 4 infant update. You can take it with you anywhere so you have a place for your infant to rest even when you’re not at home.
Infant in a Crib
New infant toys with new audio are going to be added, too, along with a large stuffed llama.
So much llamas!
Playpens will also be coming with the Sims 4 infant update. The playpen is a fence that can be used like any other fence. They work like normal fences but also have baby proofing options available on them. The baby proofing options will also be available on all doors and fence gates.
Check out what to expect from The Sims 4’s improved Social Pie Menu!
The Sims Team held a livestream today for The Sims 4 Growing Together and Base Game features. During the stream they’ve finally revealed the awaited Social Pie Menu upgrades!
Social Pie Menu – What’s New?
The interactions that you used to find in intentional categories now have their own subcategories. All based on the new Conversation Topics and Sim Characteristics which define a Sim’s personality.
If you have The Sims 4 Growing Together, the compatibility suite of suggested interactions only grows smarter. Check out the new preferences!
Preview of the new Social Pie Menu categories / Image by @SimGuruNinja
Menu Upgrade Info
During the livestream, SimGuruNova shared new behind the scenes information about the upgrade:
Each of the new categories maps to one of the Likes & Dislikes for Conversation Topics. The important interactions like Divorce, Breakup etc. are left uncategorized – so it’s a little easier for you to find.
For example – Become Best Friends is left uncategorized. We don’t want a Sim to decline that because it’s in the category they dislike. We also want to make sure it’s easy for you to find!
Pie Menu Preview
Nearly all past interactions added have been subcategorized. You should find it a little bit easier now to navigate. Especially the friendly menu which could get a little cluttered before with all the interactions we’ve added.
All the categories in the new menu!
GrimSuruDoi confirmed that there might be a learning curve learning the new interaction patterns. Especially if you’re used to the current mapping of social interactions. However, he believes once you get past it the new categories will be helpful.
They also match up conversation topic preferences, so you’ll be getting hints if they like or dislike a certain topic. There are plenty of new indicators that will tell the story of your Sim preferences within the interactions!
Mean category interactions
Nova also added that the upcoming recategorization is coming with The Sims 4 Infants Update on March 14th. The new pie menu should help categorize interactions from previous Packs too, we’ll see soon!
What are your thoughts on the new changes? Join the conversation!
Tell more stories with the new Science Baby feature!
The Sims 4 Growing Together livestream today revealed plenty of new information about not just Growing Together, but the base game update coming to The Sims 4 as well! We expected a lot of new information about infants. We did not expect to be surprised by the new Science Babies feature coming to The Sims 4. Yep, The Sims 4 is finally adding surrogacy options to the base game!
Science Baby Phone Options
Sims can now have a science baby with themselves or any adult Sim they have a friendly or romantic relationship with. There is a new option on the cell phone under the Home app called Have Science Baby in The Sims 4. You can choose to have a Science Baby as a single parent or have a Science Baby with another Sim. Furthermore, any non-related adult Sim you have a good relationship with will be available to select as the other parent.
Science Baby Sim Options
Sims 4 Science Babies: The Magic of Science!
It costs 1,200 simoleons to have a science baby in The Sims 4. When you have a science baby, the involved Sims will leave the lot for a period of time. Also, thanks to the magic of science, there is no pregnancy. Your Sims will return home with their new bundle of joy and skip the pregnancy stage entirely.
Congratulations – it’s a baby!
While some Simmers will no doubt be disappointed at having the pregnancy period eliminated from the Sims 4 science baby feature, this is still a major step forward for The Sims franchise. Simmers can tell all kinds of different stories using this feature. Same-sex couples can have biological children together without having to alter any settings in CAS. Single Sims can have a biological child on their own. Friends who aren’t romantic can choose to have a child together. The options are almost limitless. Moreover, we can’t wait to see what kinds of stories Simmers are going to tell using the new Science Babies feature in The Sims 4!
First look at the San Sequoia World Map and detailed run of Lot Sizes!
The Sims Team has revealed the first look into the World Map from The Sims 4 Growing Together! The new Map features San Sequoia, a San Franscisco-esque type of world. Seperated into 3 neighborhoods and 12 lots in total. Let’s break down what’s new!
Sims 4 Growing Together – World Map
Take a first look at the World Map of San Sequoia.
San Sequoia World Map
As you see above, each neighborhood contains 4 different lots. Down below you’ll find a list of all the neighborhoods and their descriptions. Stay tuned for updates on lots and lot sizes!
San Sequoia Lot Sizes
Developer working on The Sims 4 @Mattnetic has shared a full map preview of the new Lot Sizes!
World Lot Sizes
Check out the breakdown of each neighborhood. Yup, there’s a large 64×64 Lot as well.
San Sequoia Neighborhoods
Anchorpoint Wharf
Once the center of a bustling fishing and canning industry, Anchorpoint Wharf is known now as a vibrant area downtown featuring a movie theater, parklets, and more. There’s plenty to keep all ages entertained.
Gilbert Gardens
Gilbert Gardens’ gorgeous park was once owned by Gilbert Gilberts, a land developer who helped establish the area. Now, it’s the perfect locale for family trips to the gardens. Where, amongst other activities, Sims can take a walk on one of the three scenic lake walking paths or visit the community’s Splash Pad play area. Whalebert is hoping to see you soon!
Hopewell Hills
Hopewell Hills is a cozy spot away from the hustle and bustle of town. The perfect place for anyone who wants, well, space! If the suburbs are your idea of paradise, you’ve found it here in this quiet neighborhood.
San Sequoia World Icon
@SimGuruNinja shared an image preview of the new world icon. Check out what San Sequoia looks like in the World Menu!
San Sequoia icon
Stick around for more updates on the new world of San Sequoia and Sims 4 Growing Together!
Family Dynamics make relationships more meaningful!
Today’s gameplay trailer for The Sims 4 Growing Together went more in-depth with a lot of features we already knew about, but it also revealed a new feature we haven’t seen before! Family Dynamics are a new feature of Growing Together and they shape the way each individual member of a household interacts with each other.
This is quite possibly the feature this author is most excited about, so let’s jump right into how Family Dynamics work in the Growing Together expansion!
The Sims 4 Growing Together: Family Dynamics
A common complaint of Simmers is that family members tend to treat each other like any other Sim. It feels like they don’t even recognise each other as family in a lot of cases. The new Family Dynamics system aims to fix that problem in The Sims 4 Growing Together.
The gameplay trailer showed us a married couple who are very much in love and happy. Obviously, they have a close Family Dynamic between each other. We’re shown a popup of the UI where the player can set the family dynamic between two Sims in CAS. Moreover, it looks like it’s located in the family relationships tab. We love that we have some control over how our family members view each other in Growing Together. It allows us to tell the stories that we want.
However, their son and daughter are not as close as they would like them to be. Their son is resentful of the fact that his baby sister is getting all the attention now. Also, he feels ignored and forgotten about. This has caused him to dislike his infant sister. Indeed, they have a difficult Family Dynamic. It’s really cool that even infants can have positive or negative family dynamics with their older relatives in Growing Together!
Furthermore, the different Family Dynamics we saw in the Growing Together trailer are Difficult, Distant, Close, and Jokesters. We don’t know if these are all the possible family dynamics coming with the expansion. We’re interested to see if there are more.
The era of Growing Together is finally here, and we’re getting the full gameplay look at the new features. The Sims Team will be doing a showcase of important new additions coming with Infants and Growing Together. Here are some of the things you can expect during the livestream:
Livestream Showcase Expectations:
The Sims 4 Infants Update Showcase
The Sims 4 Growing Together
Create A Sim Items
Build Mode Objects
San Sequoia Overview and Map Reveal?
Gameplay and Features Showcase
Where to watch the stream?
The livestream is set to begin on March 3rd, 2023 at 11AM Pacific Time. You can check out when it begins in your area by just pressing the play button!
The Sims 4 Growing Together livestream is most easily watched on The Sims’ official YouTube channel. You’ll also have an instant replay available afterwards.
Livestream Live Discussion
Our amazing team members Krista and Nikini will follow you on feature updates as the stream goes live. You’ll be able to follow along live discussion on the showcased features, with instant replay as the stream goes on.
Don’t miss out!
Join the Live Discussion of Growing Together with the Sims Community Team!
We’ll keep you posted on the latest news about the game during and after the stream. Make sure you stick around for brand new footage, feature showcases and a livestream summary.
Are you excited to see The Sims 4 Growing Together in action? Join the discussion down below!
The man behind The Sims 2 and 3 could be The Sims 4’s biggest competition!
For the past 23 years, The Sims franchise has dominated the life simulation genre. There hasn’t been a game that has truly been in direct competition with The Sims. While this is no doubt good for Electronic Arts and Maxis, is it good for the players? This is a question that has been asked by Simmers for years. With nothing to compete with, some could argue that The Sims doesn’t have to work too hard to keep its fanbase. That could all change, though! And the person leading the charge? The legend of life simulation games himself, Rod Humble!
According to the official Paradox Interactive website, Rod Humble and Paradox Tectonic are scheduled to announce a “ground-breaking new project” during the Paradox Announcement Show 2023, happening on March 6th.
Rod Humble as seen in The Sims 2 FreeTime, via Mod The Sims
Some Simmers may recognise the name Rod Humble. He became the Executive Producer of The Sims back in 2004. Humble was later promoted to Executive Vice President of The Sims label in 2008. He has since left Electronic Arts to work with other companies such as Linden Labs, the creators of Second Life. Moreover, he even made an appearance as a Sim in The Sims 2 FreeTime! The Sim version of Rod Humble would visit your lot and gift your Sims with a computer. The computer contained a teaser for The Sims 3.
Rod Humble’s involvement in The Sims goes back nearly two decades. His creative influence was largely responsible for the kind of humour and charm The Sims is known for. It’s this special brand of charm that other titles have a hard time competing with.
How do we know this new Rod Humble project is a life simulation?
We don’t know for sure, but the wording on the Paradox Interactive website suggests that this is the case.
Paradox Tectonic pushing boundaries
We’re expanding your creativity. Life simulator visionary, Rod Humble, and Paradox Tectonic are itching to unveil its new ground-breaking project.
The website specifically mentions Rod Humble’s reputation for spearheading life simulation projects. Also, it mentions that this new project is ground-breaking. If a new life simulation that could take on the giant of The Sims franchise is on the horizon, it truly would be ground-breaking for the genre.
Nevertheless, we don’t have any more details on what this ground-breaking project is. We expect to find out more on March 6th!
