The Sims 4

The Sims is a video game series established by Maxis in 2000. It’s name is a metaphor of Simulation and depicts the main focus of it’s game type as a life simulation. Players choose avatars as family members with whom they interact in a self built home habitat. The family members can be modified in various ways.

About the Game

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Content of the Game

Core Game mechanics

Create a household mode

An avatar is called Sim. Sims can be picked as male or female human beings that are drawn together as a family. Their degree of relationship can be chosen depending on their age: housemate, spouse, parent or grandparent, child or grandchild. Their age is varied from toddler, kid, teenager, young adult, adult and to an elderly person. Babies appear after their birth during the game and cannot be chosen during the create a household mode clothing and hair styles can be chosen as well as skin, hair and eye color, chest size, the amout of muscles, body fat and body hair. Every Sim first and a last name, players are completely free to type. a The Sims age after certain days which can be varied.

Every avatar has different traits, which allows their behavior and wishes to change in certain situations. Referring to The Sims 3 (...)

Life mode

This mode allows the Sims to interact with their surroundings. Time passes by in three modes which can be differed into their rapidity. Players have to lead the avatar's reaction and decisions for example going grocery shopping, doing sports, cooking or cleaning the house. During this time Sims need to interact with other human-like avatars to cultivate friendships and relationships. There are plenty of ways how a Sim can shape his or her love life. A permanent relationship is too much for your Sim? Multiple affairs with co-existing Sims with diverse sexes is not only possible but can also be a life-time wish (being a heartbreaker). The video game offers a rich network of decisions while interacting with people and objects like sitting on a sofa or having a skinny-dip in a whirlpool. The purpose of the Sims is not only to have fun in an alternative life-like world. Rent and price tags, school and work structure their 'lifes'. To earn money (so called Simoleons) a Sim has to apply for a job. The Sims can climb the job ladder for instance from rabid fan to sports legend.

Shopping mode

Fancy a new couch or an antique bookshelf? From decoration, furniture to technical devices, almost everything is avaliable. Be sure to pruchase an alarm system otherwise a burglar could get in easily. If the household earns a good amount of Simoleons their lifes could be much more convenient by placing a food processor onto a countertop. No need of chopping onions ever again! What about a jinxed skeleton-housemade who lodges in a huge upright coffin? She likes a good talk and keeps pets occupied.

Building mode

A house off the shelf doesn't suit your household? Pruchase a lot on meadows, in a busy city or on an island. Plenty variations of windows, doors, arches and fences are available. Want a specific style for your Sims home? Wether they are goths or like to have a contemplative life on the countryside, with paint, wallpapers or brick-wall industrial look can be con- and destructed easily. Walking stairs is too exhausting? No worries, install some lifts or save space with cozy wooden ladders. The new sportscar needs a garage? Summer temperatures make your household longing for a cooling-off? Choose some of the pool items and create a unique formation in your backyard.

Related Research Approaches

Creating male and female avatars relates to doing gender. Following the Research Approach of Judith Butler's Gender Performance.

Non-sensory games without narrative relates to Serious Games.

Credits/ Links

The Sims YouTube video [1]