34 replies to this topic

[oldmember_mezimax]

I have been a huge fan of The Sims series since the original came out, and am naturally looking forward to the upcoming Sims 4.

EA registered thesims4.com several years ago, and it is expected that they will come out with another installment to The Sims series before long.

One thing I would love to see, and something that I think would really set The Sims 4 apart from the other games in the series, would to bring in online features, so that you could allow your Sims to interact with the Sims of your friends and family in an MMORPG-type game. Ideally, the online aspect would be an optional addition to the game, so that those who wished to play on their own still could. I personally would love to be able to visit my friends' homes, neighborhoods, and Sims over the internet, and maybe even befriend or marry their Sims!

If you agree with me, I've started an online petition to send to EA:

http://www.ipetition...petition/sims4/

If I get enough signatures, I'll send it to them. Since they probably haven't done much development yet and are likely still coming up with ideas for the game, if we collect a lot of signatures there is a good chance we could impact game development. After all, pleasing fans sells games!

Also, feel free to spread this petition around to other forums. The more signatures, the better!

[Degera]

They've already made a Sims Online, that was a virtual world where you could walk around and interact with each other, and invite your friends to your house, that you built... you can read about it here - http://en.wikipedia....The_Sims_Online

It was a spectacular flop, and I doubt they will ever be brave enough to sink money into something similar again.

[oldmember_mezimax]

I know- I mentioned that in the description on the petition. And, they just created The Sims Social, so obviously they don't think bringing Sims games online is a bad idea. Frankly, though, The Sims Social is boring and not really a Sims game. I think that if they do it right, it could be great. There are already rumors going around that it will be online.

[sheridanhoughton]

I wouldn't want to play sims online. One of the joys of sims for me is that it is MY story, with My sims. so they only do things that I approve of. And I can make sure I don't get EPs that feature the supernatural in a big way, eg late night with the vampires. I can delete all the graves and get rid of the other supernatural things that could affect my game.
In an online game, you wouldn't know who your sims (and by extension, you) were befriending.

[oldmember_mezimax]

I mean, that really depends on how they make the game. I am envisioning an MMORPG-type game, where your Sims will only go online and interact with others under your control and while you are online, not by themselves or at any random time. That would be no fun, and I doubt that is how they would design the game. You would also have the option to play offline as in previous Sims games.

[lisfyre]

I mean, that really depends on how they make the game. I am envisioning an MMORPG-type game, where your Sims will only go online and interact with others under your control and while you are online, not by themselves or at any random time. That would be no fun, and I doubt that is how they would design the game. You would also have the option to play offline as in previous Sims games.

I've been playing MMORPG's since 1995 when I started playing The Realm Online. Since then I've beta tested and played/still play EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Dark Age of Camelot, Runes of Magic, Silk Road, Anarchy Online, EVE Online, Warhammer Online, RIFT, Lord of the Rings Online, and the latest one - Star Wars The Old Republic. I will never play an MMORPG style sims game for several reasons -

1) it isn't my sims (plural) running around living their lives in that game - it is YOU the player doing all that stuff around town interacting with other people. Chatting, flirting, making dates, woohooing (EWWW GROSS), making babies (EWWWW GROSS THROW UP), getting married and even aging. Sorry but no, I honestly CANNOT play something like that. This would not make the TEEN rating.

2) I'm a hack and slash player and a Sims MMORPG won't offer something like that - too violent. EA needs to keep this game at a TEEN rating.

3) It would be boring as heck after a day or two... if you really want to play something as mundane as this for that long.

4) I wouldn't pay money to play it.. come to think of it, I wouldn't play it at all. EA gets lots of money from my family already - we play a lot of EA games here.

5) The point of playing an online MMORPG game is to level up, socialize, join a guild, get uber loot, craft and make better gear and amass kajillions of cash while following a story line and fulfilling quests. Somehow, I can't see this in a Sims MMORPG.

I think that covers it. Anyone feel free to add to the list.

[cadiva]

I wouldn't want to play sims online. One of the joys of sims for me is that it is MY story, with My sims.

Yep, that's pretty much how I feel about it. My sims, my game, don't want to play with anyone else's.

I've been playing MMORPG's since 1995 when I started playing The Realm Online. Since then I've beta tested and played/still play EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Dark Age of Camelot, Runes of Magic, Silk Road, Anarchy Online, EVE Online, Warhammer Online, RIFT, Lord of the Rings Online, and the latest one - Star Wars The Old Republic. I will never play an MMORPG style sims game for several reasons -

1) it isn't my sims (plural) running around living their lives in that game - it is YOU the player doing all that stuff around town interacting with other people. Chatting, flirting, making dates, woohooing (EWWW GROSS), making babies (EWWWW GROSS THROW UP), getting married and even aging. Sorry but no, I honestly CANNOT play something like that. This would not make the TEEN rating.

2) I'm a hack and slash player and a Sims MMORPG won't offer something like that - too violent. EA needs to keep this game at a TEEN rating.

3) It would be boring as heck after a day or two... if you really want to play something as mundane as this for that long.

4) I wouldn't pay money to play it.. come to think of it, I wouldn't play it at all. EA gets lots of money from my family already - we play a lot of EA games here.

5) The point of playing an online MMORPG game is to level up, socialize, join a guild, get uber loot, craft and make better gear and amass kajillions of cash while following a story line and fulfilling quests. Somehow, I can't see this in a Sims MMORPG.

I think that covers it. Anyone feel free to add to the list.

Totally agree Lys, you and I play MMOs (mostly the same ones) for the same reason

Sims Online was a disaster and Sims Social is a pain in the neck, I wouldn't play anything which resembled either of those.

[oldmember_mezimax]

I've been playing MMORPG's since 1995 when I started playing The Realm Online. Since then I've beta tested and played/still play EverQuest, EverQuest II, Star Wars Galaxies, Dark Age of Camelot, Runes of Magic, Silk Road, Anarchy Online, EVE Online, Warhammer Online, RIFT, Lord of the Rings Online, and the latest one - Star Wars The Old Republic. I will never play an MMORPG style sims game for several reasons -

1) it isn't my sims (plural) running around living their lives in that game - it is YOU the player doing all that stuff around town interacting with other people. Chatting, flirting, making dates, woohooing (EWWW GROSS), making babies (EWWWW GROSS THROW UP), getting married and even aging. Sorry but no, I honestly CANNOT play something like that. This would not make the TEEN rating.

2) I'm a hack and slash player and a Sims MMORPG won't offer something like that - too violent. EA needs to keep this game at a TEEN rating.

3) It would be boring as heck after a day or two... if you really want to play something as mundane as this for that long.

4) I wouldn't pay money to play it.. come to think of it, I wouldn't play it at all. EA gets lots of money from my family already - we play a lot of EA games here.

5) The point of playing an online MMORPG game is to level up, socialize, join a guild, get uber loot, craft and make better gear and amass kajillions of cash while following a story line and fulfilling quests. Somehow, I can't see this in a Sims MMORPG.

I think that covers it. Anyone feel free to add to the list.

Well, I personally would really enjoy it. And no, not all MMORPGs fit into the narrow mold you just spelled out. Look at Second Life- that fits none of the descriptions you just gave and is wildly successful. Obviously non-medieval fantasy MMORPGs can work, and I would love to see the Sims' unique take on that. I don't see what opposition anyone could have to an online option- if you'd rather play alone, just don't use it!

[oldmember_mezimax]

Are you really only comfortable playing repetitive versions of the games you've seen before? Try something new! Remember, when The Sims first came out it didn't fit into any preconceived category either.

[cadiva]

Well, I personally would really enjoy it. And no, not all MMORPGs fit into the narrow mold you just spelled out. Look at Second Life- that fits none of the descriptions you just gave and is wildly successful. Obviously non-medieval fantasy MMORPGs can work, and I would love to see the Sims' unique take on that. I don't see what opposition anyone could have to an online option- if you'd rather play alone, just don't use it!

Second Life isn't an MMORPG. It's a virtual world. The format is quite different. As to the rest of your post, you posted a thread asking for opinions, not everyone's going to agree with you so you should expect people to say so.

[lynizzle]

I have been playing The Sims since the beginning, and when I think about playing the game online and interacting with other players, it feels like a burden. Like sheridanhoughton said, its MY world to play the way I choose. Totally not interested in the online feature, and honestly a little discouraged at the fact that they seem to be trying to incoorperate something similar with Showtime. Back away, EA!

[lisfyre]

Are you really only comfortable playing repetitive versions of the games you've seen before? Try something new! Remember, when The Sims first came out it didn't fit into any preconceived category either.

All those MMORPG's are repetitive versions of each other for the most part ... like I said, level up, socialize, join a guild, get uber loot, craft and make better gear and amass kajillions of cash while following a story line and fulfilling quests. It isn't limited to fantasy medieval eras obviously and a lot of game producers try and give their game a "different and unique twist" but what it boils down to in the end is what I've already stated.

Second Life isn't an MMORPG. It's a virtual world. The format is quite different.

As Cadiva said, Second Life is a virtual world not a "game" per se or an MMORPG in it's strictest sense. It's a place where people can socialize and interact without being overwhelmed by questing and end games - huge emphasis on the socializing. I've tried Second Life and it's definitely not my cup of tea/coffee.

The Sims series on the other hand has always been a standalone game. EA created The Sims Online as a separate game and obviously it wasn't that successful. If EA would like to reboot that game all over again that's great. But they shouldn't try to do a half baked job of it by introducing "online capabilities" to an obviously standalone game. I like my game the way it is.. my own little world with no one to send me tells and ask for help doing something or other - which happens frequently if you're online in a game, in a guild, socializing with your guildies and friends.

Well, I personally would really enjoy it. And no, not all MMORPGs fit into the narrow mold you just spelled out. Look at Second Life- that fits none of the descriptions you just gave and is wildly successful. Obviously non-medieval fantasy MMORPGs can work, and I would love to see the Sims' unique take on that. I don't see what opposition anyone could have to an online option- if you'd rather play alone, just don't use it!

There are a lot of non-medieval fantasy MMORPG's - Anarchy Online, Star Wars Galaxies, Star Wars The Old Republic, Star Trek, The Godfather, City of Heroes, to name a few. I know there is a following out there that wants The Sims Online to come back and that's great. I had no interest in the first The Sims Online game and I'm not interested in a new one. If EA is really gung ho making the Sims 3 into an MMORPG then they should just go ahead and make The Sims Online The Next Generation and be done with it.

I don't oppose being online just not with the Sims in it's current format. This game is supposed to be standalone. Many players oppose the "online capability" for their own reasons. You started a thread asking for people to sign a petition if they were interested in having a Sims 4 Online MMORPG style game. You're not alone out there because many players who played the original TSO would like to see it come back. Good luck with that. If Sims 4 comes out as an MMORPG then it's one game this simmer isn't going to be playing.

[batangel]

I wouldn't want to play sims online. One of the joys of sims for me is that it is MY story, with My sims.

I totally agree. I play The Sims as a little bit of an escape from reality and I have no interest in allowing any of my friends into 'my escape'

[frisbud]

I totally agree. I play The Sims as a little bit of an escape from reality and I have no interest in allowing any of my friends into 'my escape'

Same here. I have specific "storylines" (for lack of a better term) that I like to do with my Sims, and I don't want anyone else intruding on that. I don't even like it when my hubby or kids look over my shoulder to see what I am doing in my game.

I actually played Sims Online for a bit and tried the revamped EA Land before they shut it down. It was not my cup of tea at all.

[Audrey May]

I played TSO for awhile but it became boring and I have no desire to play anything like that again. Also, TSO was very cliquey which made it too much like real life!! If I want to be ignored by anyone or made to feel like I don't belong I'll contact the people who picked on me when I was in high school! LOL!!

1) it isn't my sims (plural) running around living their lives in that game - it is YOU the player doing all that stuff around town interacting with other people. Chatting, flirting, making dates, woohooing (EWWW GROSS), making babies (EWWWW GROSS THROW UP), getting married and even aging. Sorry but no, I honestly CANNOT play something like that. This would not make the TEEN rating.

I agree completely, lisfyre! It would be too mature for teens!

[Horatio]

This is all interesting but I am bit ignorant when it come to types of games out there. What is an MMORPG? Also, I read somewhere recently that EA says that standalone games are a thing of the past. What should that tell us? I think Showtime is going to be an experiment by EA to test the market and see what response they get and then they will start bringing out the type of game that oldmember_mezimax is hoping EA will design. Just my thoughts on the matter.

[lisfyre]

This is all interesting but I am bit ignorant when it come to types of games out there. What is an MMORPG? Also, I read somewhere recently that EA says that standalone games are a thing of the past. What should that tell us? I think Showtime is going to be an experiment by EA to test the market and see what response they get and then they will start bringing out the type of game that oldmember_mezimax is hoping EA will design. Just my thoughts on the matter.

As defined in Wikipedia:

Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world.

As in all RPGs, players assume the role of a character (often in a fantasy world) and take control over many of that character's actions. MMORPGs are distinguished from single-player or small multi-player RPGs by the number of players, and by the game's persistent world (usually hosted by the game's publisher), which continues to exist and evolve while the player is offline and away from the game.

If standalone games are a thing of the past then EA should reboot The Sims Online. They do have that capability to making online games. They've bought up company's that produce and create MMORPG's like Mythic and Bioware and I've played them. If as you say the Sims is going the online route well... as I've already said, I won't be playing a Sims MMORPG. I'm waiting for EA/Mythic to release Dark Age of Camelot II and I'll be there playing it. For now, I"m living in EA/Bioware/LucasArts Star Wars The Old Republic MMORPG.

[sheridanhoughton]

Having read the definition of a MMORPG that you quoted, Lisfyre, I definitely won't be playing a Sims game like that!

[ByzantineGirl]

This is all interesting but I am bit ignorant when it come to types of games out there. What is an MMORPG? Also, I read somewhere recently that EA says that standalone games are a thing of the past. What should that tell us? I think Showtime is going to be an experiment by EA to test the market and see what response they get and then they will start bringing out the type of game that oldmember_mezimax is hoping EA will design. Just my thoughts on the matter.

I agree about Showtime being like a tester to see if people do the socialisation part. For me, that has put me off what seemed to be a good EP and even though they keep saying it's optional and you don't need to be part of the social aspect, they sure seem to be going to reward people who do it. (Hope this makes sense.) Basically I want a stand alone game and would choose a different game to play if I wanted the social aspect. EA seems to be wanting to take us down a different path now.

[cadiva]

They're trying to compete with the Facebook style social games. What they utterly fail to realise is that the people who play Facebook games will, in most cases, not actually play ANY other type of computer game at all whether it's a PC or a console game.
A Facebook game is a click and ask your friends for help set up, it's not really "gaming" in the true sense of the world. EA sees this huge market that Zynga have cornered and they want into it, their Sims Social on Facebook is them testing the waters.
As I don't think that's done anything like what they expected, I can't see them deciding to move away from the successful formula of The Sims franchise being stand alone games. However, I do see them introducing the social networking into the game and rewarding those who like to play Facebook style games.
So long as they let me turn it off and keep it turned off, then I have no objection to them letting other people go clicky mad