The official US Playstation Store is having a surprise sale for The Sims 4’s Game Packs and Stuff Packs!
For a limited time you’ll be able to get select packs for 25% off, including:
The sale is active right now and lasts until May 28th at 9AM PT!
The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack promises to have cross-pack functionality that’ll bring some new gameplay elements with some of the previous pack installments.
There will be cross pack support. We will have so many details to share in the live stream.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 12, 2020
Although we don’t have specific details how each pack will influence Eco Lifestyle gameplay, SimGuruGeorge did reveal that pollution in the game will impact weather if you have The Sims 4 Seasons installed – more specifically, it’ll impact rain.
The weather doesn’t impact the pollution, but there is a pollution impact to rain.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 18, 2020
With Eco Lifestyle’s official reveal we’ve also gotten a screenshot preview of what the rain will look like in polluted neighborhoods:
The Sims Mobile has released their highly-anticipated game update that lets you upgrade your homes by expanding them up to 3 stories!
To tell you more about the game and this newly released addition we’ve interview SimGuruLaura – game designer working on The Sims Mobile.
Hello Laura! Tell us a little about yourself and your role on The Sims Mobile!
Hey Jovan! I’ve been working for the Firemonkeys Studio as a designer for six years and had always dreamed of working on The Sims, now I’m here and loving all the interesting ways you can design for the franchise (but shh don’t tell my old team on Real Racing 3 =P). In my role as a game designer on The Sims Mobile I advocate for improvements to make the game better for players and work with the rest of the team to complete the content for the updates! Friends may think game designers just play games all day and come up with cool ideas, but mostly it’s working in spreadsheets and data (but also playing the game 😉 ).
Since the game arrived at Firemonkeys Studio from Maxis, which features and quality of life improvements have you helped deliver?
Gosh, it’s been just over a year now! I’ve delivered a few of the build/buy quality of life changes like adding the inventory categories and ‘recent’ tab into players’ Storage. There’s so much more that I and the team want to improve on in the game since taking it on – thanks to Maxis for trusting us with their baby 🙂
What’s new in the latest ‘Raise the Roof’ Update?
The roof gets higher! Yes… oh and that’s because in this update you can now add a 2nd and 3rd level to your home lots! The artists have also worked really hard to add some neat looking stairs to compliment the new floors and styles. Check them out under ‘Build’ once you purchase a floor permit or aim to win one in the current Sweet Treat Showdown event.
Plus, there’s also a few other improvements we sneaked in there… like being able to store overlapping items when placing items in your home, oh and Sims moving themselves to the side when you want to place an item – out of the way you pesky visiting Sim, blocking my bathroom!
What are the requirements to actually raise that roof?
Well, players should jump onto the app store to download the latest Sims Mobile update! You’ll need to be up to level four to be able to add more levels to your home (or if you can’t wait that long, you can also early unlock for Simcash). Tap into ‘Build’ to find the floor level building permits under the ‘Floor Levels’ category and away you go!
We’ve written an FAQ article with all the feature details here, if players would like more information. https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-mobile/news/multilevel-build-feature-faq
What were the challenges to bring multilevel build mode to the players?
One of the challenges we found was taking the lessons learned from The Sims Freeplay’s build mode. We wanted take the good bits from both Freeplay and The Sims 4 and combine each of their strengths into what works for The Sims Mobile. I think we achieved that well, but don’t take my word for it, try it out yourself! I know they (Sims Freeplay and The Sims 4 devs) are a secretly jealous of the cool things we added =P
We also really wanted to and tried to have animations for Sims walking up the stairs… but alas *shakes fist at cheap wall clock* we ran out of time. It would be cool for the future! So for now Sims will continue to teleport around like they normally do.
How do you think this update will have an impact on the players and their usual play sessions?
If players don’t have the Simoleons for a new floor it could take roughly over a week to grind for the currency, but I recommend to do this at your own pace since this is a permanent feature and there is plenty of time to aim for it!
Where do you see the future of The Sims Mobile heading?
The team are really excited to deliver more incredible updates this year. We love seeing all the crazy builds, suggestions and ideas that our players are posting on social media every single day. It gives us a lot of inspiration for what to do next! You’ll have to stay tuned to Twitter by following our official SimGuru team and The Sims Mobile channel for all the announcements!
You can find The Sims Mobile on the following networks:
The Sims Mobile is available for download for FREE on these platforms:
SimGuruGeorge has shared a GIF Preview of the Aurora Borealis in Willow Creek. This occurance happens after you have a positive, green effect with elements of The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack on the worlds around you. And yes, it seems that this will occur in every type of world – not just the ones that might look like they belong in the northern part.
The Goth Family chose a heck of a block to build their mansion on in Willow Creek.
Perfect for midnight strolls.#TS4EcoLifestyle pic.twitter.com/j8Y9G05MEx
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 13, 2020
SimGuruGeorge has shared a couple of GIFs over on Twitter of a more ‘green’ looking Willow Creek. While he hasn’t gone in to detail as to what is different within the GIFs, you do have to admit that Willow Creek looks more beautiful than normal!
What a nice ‘green’ day in Willow Creek.#TheSims4ecoLifeStyle pic.twitter.com/5jvJTX8abQ
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 13, 2020
Another nice peaceful scene before bed. pic.twitter.com/yDRijs8CS5
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 13, 2020
SimGuruConor has published a full breakdown on what to expect from rocking chairs that are coming with the upcoming The Sims 4 Nifty Knitting Stuff Pack!
Welcome back to another deep dive into our upcoming community voted stuff pack, The Sims 4 Nifty Knitting Stuff. That’s right, thanks to you and your votes we have a name, and it rocks!
I’d like to remind everyone that game development is rarely straightforward. It’s really kind of twisty, and sometimes a little squishy, and it’s still early in the development of our new Stuff Pack. What I’m trying to say is, this pack is actively being worked on and the information below is subject to change. But enough about that. Let’s get started discussing today’s topic, Rocking Chairs!
You, the community, voted on what the rocking chair would look like. This was the winning design, in case you’ve forgotten.
And this is what it currently looks like!
Don’t worry, it’ll look more like the concept art once our modeler is done with it. This is what we call a “work in progress asset.”
As you can probably surmise, rocking chairs will behave like…rocking chairs. I know, how daring! So maybe we don’t need to go into explicit detail about how a rocking chair functions, but, suffice to say, it is a chair and it rocks.
So, let’s talk about some of the new gameplay surrounding rocking chairs, because that’s where our rocking chairs in The Sims 4 get really interesting.
Sitting in a rocking chair is quite relaxing for Sims, so naturally uncomfortable, sad, or angry buffs will diminish quicker. Sims will also gain a bonus to their Knitting Skill while on the rocking chair, so make sure you take advantage of that. Try building a “Knitting Room” with a rocking chair and a stereo playing Focus/Metal music to fully immerse your Sim in knitting knirvana.
As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, Elders will have some unique gameplay with rocking chairs. While sitting in a rocking chair, Elder Sims gain increased friendly relationship gains with other Sims. Elders will also be able to Reminisce on rocking chairs, gaining a small amount of fun as they relax and explore their mind palace. If you’re playing as an Elder while they’re Reminiscing, you’ll be able to see glimpses into their mind swirl around them, similar to toddler’s when they play make-believe with toys. What Elders take away from the whole experience is up to their personality traits, but hopefully something pleasant!
Here’s an in development clip of the Reminisce animation, as modeled by this adult Sim. Since adults and elders use the same animation rig they share the same default Sim that is used to model In Progress animations in our animation tools.
Not only will Elders gain unique interactions with the rocking chair, but Children and Toddlers too. Both Children and Toddler Sims will have a Play With Rocking Chair interaction, where they can fulfill Fun motives by rocking in an insatiable furor. Check out this adorable, enthusiastic toddler. Where do they get all their energy?
We’d love to explore doing more with rocking chairs down the road. So, let us know if you’d like to see more rocking chairs in the future!
Now lets bring it over to the Lead Animator on our Stuff Pack, HaeJu Chung! We’re going to ask her a few questions so she can give us some insight into what it’s like to be an Animator on The Sims 4.
Conor: Can you tell us a little about what an animator does on The Sims 4?
HaeJu: Animators create the Sim’s unique movements that show them interacting with other Sims or objects. Every movement a Sim makes in game is individually animated by an animator using our animation tool on The Sims 4. We use our own custom tools that were developed here at Maxis specifically for The Sims.
Conor: What are some of the challenges you’re facing working on the Rocking Chair, and how do you plan to overcome them?
HaeJu: The rocking chair is a challenging object, we have never made anything quite like it before on The Sims 4. Sims on the Rocking Chair are able to perform existing interactions, like socializing with other Sims or reading a book, while the chair is in motion. Since we are using the existing animations for these interactions, I have to create the perfect sitting pose that will allow us to blend these animations seamlessly with the movement of the Rocking Chair. This may sound simple, but it actually is not. We make multiple animations for each interaction to give the visuals some variance – we call these animation loops – and some of the existing interactions, like socializing with other Sims while sitting, have many different loops with various hand movements and different angles for the Sim’s head, among other things. Figuring out the perfect pose so that rocking looks good and works with all of the existing animations we want to use requires a great deal of iteration and testing to get it looking just right. Once we have settled on the perfect pose then we can start making the unique rocking chair animations, including the Knitting while rocking animation.
Conor: Is there a specific animation for the Rocking Chair that you’re excited about?
HaeJu: Yes! There are Play With Rocking Chair animations for both children and toddlers that will be really fun to animate. We shared a clip above of the In Progress animation featuring the toddler. I’m looking forward to finishing these animations and seeing them in game with the final rocking chair model. It’s going to be so cute!
Conor: What is your favorite feature you have ever worked on in The Sims 4?
HaeJu: My favorite feature right now is the Murphy Bed in The Sims 4 Tiny Living Stuff Pack. It was difficult to animate. Like the rocking chair, we hadn’t done anything like it before on The Sims 4, so it was challenging. I enjoyed taking on this challenge, and it was really fun to animate, especially the failure animation where the Sim gets squished by the bed.
That’s for all now! Please keep watching the forums, I’ll have another deep dive for you soon. Stay safe and keep gaming.
~ SimGuruConor
The Sims Mobile is releasing its long-awaited Multi-Story update on May 11th – along with some other events and features!
Find out what’s coming (and when) in the post below:
Sul sul Simmers,
Since the day our game released, you’ve asked – so we’ve delivered the most requested feature of The Sims Mobile – Multilevel Build Mode! This new addition is a staple feature of The Sims franchise since the original game released in 2000 and represents a trademark of a Sims experience. Now you can raise the roof and add up to three floors and design some incredible layouts to your favourite houses in Briny Heights – even without it being structurally sound! To celebrate this milestone, our latest update is packed to the rafters with more exciting events that we know you’re going to love.
Multilevel Build Mode
Are you ready to add staircases, up to three floors and even more rooms to your Sims homes? We can’t wait for you to experience the new build mode feature, which is permanent to the base game. When you’re ready to commence building in your favourite Sims’ home, head to the new multilevel options in Build Buy mode. Second level build access unlocks at Level 14 and third level build access unlocks at Level 25, however, you can early unlock them using SimCash from Level 4!
You’ll see new categories for Stairs and Support Beams to create the mansion of your dreams. Sunny Stone from Sim Surveying (a non-playable Sim) will arrive to let you know that there is a countdown timer to unlock the new feature and place a little conveyancing sign on your lot. When the timer completes, you’ll receive a Certificate of Approval and are then free to start your renovations!
Learn all the nuts and bolts of the multilevel build mode feature, by reading our in-depth FAQ Page here!
‘Uptown Industrial’ Sweet Treat Showdown
Patty Cakes is back in the Kitchen with the ‘Uptown Industrial’ Sweet Treat Showdown event from 11th May. Head to Market Square to compete against a rival chef and bake patisserie treats.
Be rewarded with exciting mystery boxes featuring rare items along the way as you work towards unlocking epic Grand Prizes. This time, enjoy the rewards to complete your new multistory build and turn into a New York-style loft with metal and wood décor:
Grand Prizes:
- Modern Floating Staircase
- Island Counter
- Male Hair – thick and medium length
Royal Treat Box Rewards:
- Industrial Wall Shelf
- Dining Table
- Dining Chair
- Flannel Shirt with Rolled Sleeves for adult male Sims
Sweet Treat Box Rewards:
- Stove
- Industrial Pendant Light
- Radiator Heater
- Wall Hanging Kitchen Utensils
- Kitchen Utensils in Upright Container
- Paper Towel Roll
- Simple Floating Shelf
And much more!
For more information on the Sweet Treat Showdown events, check out the FAQ Page.
‘Edgewater Quay’ Premium House Lot
To showcase the new multilevel build mode feature, we’ve built a new premium house lot and placed it right on the edge of the water!
Designed by local architect Valentina, Edgewater Quay comes fully furnished ready for your Sims to move right in! The breathtaking home features a luscious backyard garden that overlooks the oceanside, which should not be missed during a sunset!
The floorplan and multilevel design maximizes the potential of the new Build Mode tools and showcases just how creative you can be with adding stairs to your Sims home. Simmers that may not be a ‘builder’ type player will love the convenience of a prebuilt home, so you can start storytelling and adding your favourite décor.
‘Super Throwdown League’ Event Rerun
Enjoy the rerun of the ‘Super Throwdown League’ event! From June 1st, earn enough ‘Participation Ribbons’ to unlock all the sporty items in the 7-day time limit. Use that competitive spirit to create a fun hang out space of your own! Deck it out with a dart board, relaxed outfits, a sausage costume and the ‘Great Barback Juice-off’ grand prize.
The Sims Team uploaded a brand new GIF on GIPHY showcasing a new feature in The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack.
In this GIF you can see a Sim cutting himself a piece of meat from a vertical meat wall (kebabs maybe?).
Tip: @Raadosky
My biggest concern after the announcement of The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack was if the pack is gonna have restricted gameplay that’s exclusive to the new world of Evergreen Harbor. The pack promises pollution and general ecological effect on the world around you – however the team wasn’t very clear on which one.
SimGuruFrost has clarified this on Twitter and said that Eco Lifestyle will impact almost all of The Sims 4 Worlds (including the ones from previous packs) – except for destination worlds like Granite Harbor and Selvadorada, as well as StrangerVille because the pack already has a linear storyline.
Yes, during our livestream later this month we will show off the gameplay that affects the world of Evergreen Harbor and every other world you own EXCEPT destination worlds and Strangerville. https://t.co/GVRkCBr2hV
— EcoGuruFrost💫 (@SimGuruFrost) May 8, 2020
He also confirmed that you’ll be able to put the eco footpring on hold and pause it in the game options!
There is a game option that pauses eco-footprint effects from happening, like many other pack specific game options this is set per save.
Also please give @SimGuruFont some love, he's been verifying answers for me! 💚 https://t.co/zb5w60elBh
— EcoGuruFrost💫 (@SimGuruFrost) May 8, 2020
SimGurus have already started answering some of your questions regarding The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack over on Twitter!
Down below you can find a batch of tweets that reveal some new information on this pack. We’ll make sure to keep the list updated as new valuable tweets surface!
Happy you’re excited about just as much as we are. While the reveal trailer is excellently made we def have a lot more to show with our livestream (coming later this month) and gameplay trailer coming soon(ish?)
— EcoGuruFrost💫 (@SimGuruFrost) May 7, 2020
We’ll have lots of lots for you lot 😊
— EcoGuruFrost💫 (@SimGuruFrost) May 7, 2020
I foresee a couple things already you’re going to enjoy hehe 👀
— EcoGuruFrost💫 (@SimGuruFrost) May 8, 2020
Ladders will be a base game update coming at launch. Eco Lifestyle will come with an additional variant.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 6, 2020
No, there are no stangerville type missions.
We will be doing a livestream before launch to share all the details.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 6, 2020
Ladder placement is your choice. It is up to you if you want to build them inside.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 6, 2020
Yup yup!
— EcoGuruFrost💫 (@SimGuruFrost) May 6, 2020
All kinds of fun bits I get to go over in the livestream. =)
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 6, 2020
Sago grubs
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 7, 2020
You can’t name the worm in game. You name it in your heart.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 7, 2020
The new Community Spaces lot can absolutely be set in other worlds! We’ll talk more about it with @SimGuruGeorge’s live stream for Eco Lifestyle
— Dumpster Diving Diva (@SimGuruFont) May 7, 2020
There will be cross pack support. We will have so many details to share in the live stream.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 12, 2020
EA and The Sims released the official trailer yesterday for the new Sims 4 Expansion Pack: Eco Lifestyle. This is the first expansion pack for The Sims 4 to come out since last November 2019, when Discover University was released.
As soon as the trailer dropped, opinions instantly began surfacing. If you hadn’t already guessed it, simmers are quite torn on what to think about the new addition coming on June 5th! Although we don’t know all the details of what this new expansion pack has in store, I wanted to gather opinions from the community based solely off the information we currently have for the pack. So I kicked off the discussion with this question:
Hey Simmers! Since the trailer dropped for #EcoLifestyle I would love to get your opinions on the pack based purely off what we currently know. Also your thoughts in general of where TS4 seems to be going!Respond on this thread & it could be in a future @TheSimCommunity article!
— Sarah | The Property Sims (@thepropertysims) May 6, 2020
I received many responses from all varieties of sims fans. To provide a safe space for discussion, I made sure to not provide my own opinion. This article is completely unbiased, and will purely provide the responses from simmers who participated in commenting on this tweet.
Based off those who responded, it seems the largest consensus is that many players don’t agree this should be a full Expansion Pack. More like Eco Lifestyle should have been designed as a Game Pack, like Strangerville.
I’ve never been so torn about a pack lol. I’m not a fan of this pack being an expansion, because i can’t see it being worth $40. However, there are SO many cute items for builders, and I applaud Maxis for creating a pack about helping our planet. But… why’s it not a game pack?
— Bailey (@beeleyyt) May 6, 2020
I think it sound really exciting and it seems to be a cool theme, however i am still holding on to my opinion that it should’ve been a game pack
— OopOliverOliverOliverOliver (@Oliver42954961) May 6, 2020
As a vegan I love the theme, I’m just confused at how this is EP worthy from what they’ve shown. It feels like they’ve added a new look with some new gameplay to items we already have. I really want to love it though
— TheYorkieLad (@TheYorkieLad) May 6, 2020
Others are concerned about the amount content for the price of the pack. That, along with the thought that much of what the trailer showed seemed to many that it was “recycled” (no pun intended) content from past packs.
It looks like they took the left overs from other packs and smashed them into this one with a new skin.
— Mary Olsen (@MrsMOlsen) May 6, 2020
I genuinely do not think there is enough content in this game to justify the cost of it. It is just recycled themes from past content.
— Tina🍜 (@vibrant_circus) May 6, 2020
its recycled tiny living, island paradise and strangerville for $40
— jaya 🙂 (@jayasdumb) May 6, 2020
Cool concept but not to be used for an expansion pack. It’s literally the same as cleaning up Sulani, just set in a city.😑😣
— Agnieszka (@agnzaa) May 6, 2020
Although there looks to be a lot of controversy around Eco Lifestyle, for those who are excited about the new EP you’re definitely not alone! There’s a lot of enthusiasm for the sustainability aspect and being able to help with a real-life issue in game.
i personally love the idea of a eco pack! i think that it’s great that the sims team is trying a new approach at something new. hopefully the pack is as promising as it looks!
— Shane 🏭➡️🏡 (@shanesims05) May 6, 2020
I’m so excited for this pack I love the vibe I live for the build items/aesthetic and also love how it emphasizes community interaction
— 👑Prince⭐️ (@thedemidonut) May 7, 2020
-but some good came out of it. like all of the new features of multitasking, vibrant worlds, cas and easy build mode – But I think towards the end it’ll be one of the best sims games
— Acidlure (@acidlure) May 7, 2020
I love the look of the expansion from what we have seen so far, the concept is wonderful , love the direction the Sims 4 appears to be heading , off the grid in Sulani with a nod to conservation , Tiny living and now Eco lifestyle , I’m here for it all ❤️
— PugOwned Plays the Sims (@PugownedS) May 6, 2020
Since this pack has already created lots of mixed feelings, I wanted to see what some simmers thought could have been a better EP, or to just voice their opinions on what they’d like to see for TS4 in the future.
As sort of a “Part 2” to my earlier post – if you don’t think Eco Lifestyle is what the community wants in an expansion pack – what would have been better? What is an expansion pack that would have made you more content?
— The Property Sims (@thepropertysims) May 6, 2020
It’s no surprise that some players want to see something more along the lines of TS3: Generations, or something entirely new (but long awaited and asked for) like a Farming pack. There are also some Sims fans who wish that the effort being put into new packs would instead go into current gameplay and packs.
As for farming It would be nice to have a little management system like crops, fruits, veggies, meat, etc having that in TS4 would of automatically sold me
— Acidlure (@acidlure) May 7, 2020
Maybe like generations but with a twist, approaching traditions, cultures… not necessarily religion, but something that includes a lot of gameplay and differentiation between households 💐
— Guildu (@thesimssul) May 6, 2020
I’m not really concerned about packs, I don’t want painting over the cracks, I’d rather they put things into the base game like story progression, meaningful relationships, shopping for groceries and clothes. I can’t even begin to think of how much they’ll monetise TS5
— Tacos (@Tacos2sc) May 7, 2020
Regardless of divided opinions, The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle is coming out on June 5th! What are your thoughts on the new addition to TS4? Let me know below in the comments below. Please be thoughtful, and respectful, when voicing your opinions!
Dag, dag for now!
A few days ago we wrote about the first hint that The Sims Mobile team was giving out! Although it wasn’t very clear what it was all about – it was definitely related to Build Mode in the game.
And now we officially know thanks to their newest teaser what’s it all about – The Sims Mobile is getting a Multistorey Update! Although they haven’t revealed much yet, this gorgeous screenshot down below is showcasing a beautiful new staircase that leads to the second floor!
Down below you can also check out two other teasers that were released:
We should be expecting the new Multistory Update to come out for The Sims Mobile very soon!
Any and all features discussed in this article should be considered speculation until we receive confirmation about said feature from The Sims Team. We’ll keep you up-to-date on all the latest news, so keep checking back with us as more info about Eco Lifestyle comes to light!
The Sims Team has just announced the newest expansion pack coming to The Sims 4; Eco Lifestyle! This pack is themed around working together with other Sims to revitalize a polluted city. Similar conservationist concepts were touched upon in packs like Island Living and Tiny Living, but Eco Lifestyle looks like it’s taking the eco-friendly game to a whole new level.
We noticed a few things both obvious and not-so-obvious from the trailer that we’re definitely curious to see more about in the coming weeks!
A brand new world called Evergreen Harbor is featured in the trailer. At the beginning of the trailer, the world looks like an apocalyptic nightmare, rampant with trash, pollution, and a thick brown smog blocking the sky. Through the efforts of Sims working to make a difference, the landscape becomes a greener, brighter, more inviting place for Sims to live.
No new death types have been confirmed for Eco Lifestyle just yet, but we couldn’t help but notice this image of a Sim covered in flies near the beginning of the trailer. Long-time Simmers will remember that flies were a death type in The Sims 2 and death by flies looked eerily similar to this shot. Hmmm.
Another possible throwback to The Sims 2 is the paper bag head. Back in ye olden days of Sims, this was a sign your Sim’s wants weren’t being fulfilled, causing them to have a breakdown. The Sims 4 doesn’t have the same wants and fears system, so we’re pretty sure the paper bag head won’t return in the exact same fashion, but perhaps it ties into gameplay somehow. If not, it’s still a pretty funny fashion accessory.
An area that looks like a dump full of worn down furnishings was spotted in the trailer. Many of these broken and dirty furnishings are from the base game. Perhaps this means our Sims will be able to throw away or replace existing furnishings as they succumb to wear and tear over time? Only time will tell.
A new vertical garden can be seen being tended to in the trailer, as well as new planter boxes that seem to be supporting plants in more sustainable ways. In a pack focused on the environment, it’s great to see that even the way our Sims garden can be more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
There’s some debate in the community about the type of animal seen in the trailer being cuddled by a Sim. Some people suggest they are silkworms. Worms can definitely be seen crawling in and out of the bottom compartment of the box. Others have said butterflies; however, the sounds and appearance of the animal the Sim is cuddling looks more like a baby chick. I know I wouldn’t want to cuddle with a worm, anyway. Since the box has multiple compartments that look like they could accommodate different species, perhaps this box can house multiple types of creatures. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more info about this feature.
Candle making was featured prominently in the trailer and many different types of candles can be seen in this scene. It looks like they even burn down to the wick over time! We don’t know much more about candle making right now, but this author hopes they can be scented and tied to emotions. It would also be neat if the wax from burned candles could be reused to make new candles.
Market tables were featured in both City Living and Jungle Adventure, but the ones seen in the Eco Lifestyle trailer look like they have more of a focus on fundraising. Sims buying all the homemade goods from the tables are dropping money into a box attached to a large board that looks like it’s outlining planned projects for the area. We’re also interested to see what kinds of things our Sims will be able to craft and sell at these tables.
Tech-savvy environmentalists rejoice! It looks like our Sims have some new high tech ways to save the environment! In the trailer, a Sim was seen designing what looks like some kind of trash vacuum on a tablet and then bringing that creation to life at an invention work station. While it does look suspiciously similar to the invention station from the scientist career in Get To Work, the inventions seen in the trailer are definitely brand new.
Many players were disappointed about the exclusion of solar panels and windmills in packs like Laundry Day, Island Living, and Tiny Living, but it looks like Eco Lifestyle is finally going to deliver these long awaited items to players! We wouldn’t be surprised if this has an impact on your Sim’s bills, too. Perhaps our Sims can even live bill-free!
A Sim in the trailer was seen compacting trash into cubes, although we’re still not sure how this will incorporate into gameplay. We’re interested to see what can be done with this repurposed trash!
Another long-awaited item was seen in the trailer; functional ladders! Now our Sims can finally build the eco-friendly loft of their dreams! The best part? SimGuruGeorge just confirmed on Twitter that ladders will be coming in a free base game update prior to the launch of Eco Lifestyle!
Ladders will be a base game update coming at launch. Eco Lifestyle will come with an additional variant.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 6, 2020
We spotted new gauged/plug piercings in the Eco Lifestyle trailer, as well as an eyebrow and nostril ring! Facial piercings were introduced in the Discover University expansion pack, but there were only stud piercings for noses and eyebrows. Players expressed a want for eyebrow and nostril rings as well and it looks like they’ll be getting them soon!
The trailer ends with shot of a beautiful aurora painted across the night sky, taking us back to the world of Aurora Skies from The Sims 3. With all the smog seen polluting the air at the beginning of the trailer, our Sims may need to do some work cleaning up the town before they can admire this breathtaking view of the night sky.
What was your favourite part of the trailer? Let us know in the comments or come chat with us on social media!
The Sims Team has put a very significant detail in their The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack reveal trailer – LADDERS!
Yes, we’re finally getting ladders in The Sims 4. You’ll be able to use them both outdoors and indoors. Best thing about them? They’re coming in a FREE content update for The Sims 4 in a new update prior to the release of Eco Lifestyle.
SimGuruGeorge confirmed that there are going to be ladders added to the Base Game with an additional variant being included with Eco Lifestyle.
Ladders will be a base game update coming at launch. Eco Lifestyle will come with an additional variant.
— SimGuruGeorge (@SimGuruGeorge) May 6, 2020
You can check out a small preview of ladders in the screenshot below:
Electronic Arts has released an official press release for The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack with some new information regarding the pack. Check it out!
Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Maxis™ today announced that The Sims™ 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack* is coming simultaneously to PC, Mac, PS4™ and Xbox One systems on June 5. In the evolving city of Evergreen Harbor, Sims have the choice to go green and embrace a more sustainable lifestyle where they can use alternative energy resources, grow their own food, and up-cycle materials for new furniture. In the new expansion pack, Sims can join with their community to shape the transformation of their neighborhood into a blossoming beacon of sustainability and make a difference in the world around them.
“We’re thrilled to give players the opportunity to explore an eco-friendly way of living in The Sims and play the change they want to see,” said George Pigula, Producer of The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack. “By discovering and practicing sustainable habits, like using solar panels or wind turbines to power their electricity, or upcycling materials to create new furniture, players and their Sims can play with life in all-new ways.”
The expansion pack introduces Evergreen Harbor, a unique new world where Sims have a direct influence on the state of the environment with every decision that they make. Sims can produce their own electricity and water with solar panels, wind turbines, and dew collectors, or grow their own food at home in a new vertical garden. In addition, Sims can decorate their homes with remade furniture, dress head to toe in clothes that are sustainably made from reclaimed materials, and even work towards having a living rooftop for a splash of bright color. Those who don’t mind the smell can also go dumpster diving to scrounge up pre-used objects and ingredients to repurpose for new, creative goods for their home.
Simmers can take it a step further and implement positive changes in their community through the new Community Voting Board, which features a variety of Neighborhood Action Plans each week such as encouraging installation of eco-friendly objects, supporting green initiatives, setting up a Community Space where everyone can craft or plant together, and even changing the way their neighborhood looks. Sims can also pursue new careers like a Civil Designer to inspire others to give back to the environment or check out a path as a Freelance Crafter to fill orders for your candles, fizzy juices, upcycled objects, and more.
If players choose not to take action, they may see the bounds of nature retreat as junk accumulates on property and air pollution levels rise. Alternatively, the more Sims pitch in by picking up trash, maintaining a healthy garden, and using eco-friendly build materials, the more their world will transform as muddy waters become crystal clear, buildings bloom with greenery, and a shimmering aurora borealis reveals itself in the sky above them.
As Sims explore all of the environmentally conscious efforts that The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle has to offer, they’ll have plenty of opportunity to learn more about how to maintain a sustainable lifestyle and collaborate with the community to make the most out of the resources they have. Simmers will be surprised by what a positive effect they can have on their world once they start making the rules.
The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and will be available for $39.99.
