Sideshow & Syrana

When you look at the Sims, you’ll notice that bar the expansions packs, very little has changed. But that’s putting to one side one big Sims 3 expansion – The Sims Medieval. Introducing a quest system, the game starts to take on a simulation/RPG feel, and it’s innovation like this that could really drive the Sims forward into a new generation of gaming experiences.

The Sims as it is needs to spice things up, as bar rewards and the odd graphical overhaul, not enough has changed. Some people like that, but the problem with nothing changing is that those who aren’t graphical purists won’t see many reasons to purchase a $60 version over one with a few less features and polygons for $20. Whether you’re a fan of sim games or partypoker, it’s easy to slip into the Sims for days, and with less originality in the sequels over time, you’re going to see a drop in the number of people wanting to fall down that rabbit hole again.

So how do you fix it? Well, modernising it helps, and this has happened with the Sims 3 to some degree. They can now chat online, and social media will be the next extension of that. Better AI would also be good, as seeing more realistic behaviour certainly helps (most people would simply run to the toilet even if asked to do somethig else if their “bladder meter” was empty, rather than urinate all over the floor).

We love the Sims, and really want to see the series continue, but with new features to spice things up, and perhaps a few more points in a Sim’s intelligence field! The Sims on consoles had a great story-mode, too, allowing you to complete goals and move through life and houses achieving things at work, at home, and so on. This “real life” aspect to working hard and achieving something beyond more money is a great future direction, but only time will tell. We wait, and we hope.