I’ve been reviewing the last several days over my notes and I can’t believe the sheer volume of information that’s been released to fan sites. Granted while it seems so little, The Sims 3 producers dropped lots of hints at what’s to come. More importantly, it’s the little things that I’ve been trying to reflect and remember.

So let’s look at some of the more detailed items that are coming with The Sims 3. The first would be the proposed changes in memories, aspirations. The memory aspect of The Sims 3 has drastically reduced to a more short term effect. In replacement of memories is what is being called “moodlets”. Moodlets are basically an effect that occurs from a certain set of actions, events, or fulfillment. Some examples would be Your Sim moving into a new home, getting minty breath from brushing our teeth, feeling comfortable from sitting in a chair or sofa, getting married, having kids, and so forth. Some moodlets last longer than others and it’s an excellent way to understand why a Sim behaving in a particular way.

As I explained last time, wishes now replace the wants and needs. Wishes allow for a more flexible track path that allows you to direct and grow your Sim’s personality. Think of it as the type of Sim we use to have (romantic, family, etc.) but instead of being confined to a particular track, we’re allowed to cherry-pick what we like from The Sims 3.

Socialization is different, allowing for a different contextual feel. It’s almost as developers wanted to put you in the middle instead of a different persona, allowing you to explore the depth of the relationship. Of course, the conversations are based on the traits, and relationships you have. Here’s something new for Sims 3 and that would be the ability to interact with multiple Sims at the same time. We witnessed Sims 3 producer Lyndsay Pearson having three Sims converse among each other.

In the user-interface side, well, I’m sorry but there isn’t much to report at the moment. Since the game is still in development, much of it is still in design work in progressed. However, some of the more interesting things we noted was a thing The Sims team was calling “map tags”. Essentially map tags are like bookmarks allowing you to position you’re screen to a particular position on the map with ease. Another interesting feature we noticed was a quick home link navigation on the side which allows you to rapidly sent your Sim back to their home.

We wondered about how to deal with multiple households since time essentially stood still in The Sims 2 when you played with other families. In The Sims 3, families age together and progress together. When you’re off playing another family, the artificial intelligence takes over for your family and continues playing based on what it’s been given to play with, in terms of traits, and wishes.

Careers have a bit more limited information however from what we were told, there is a lot more game play. You can decide their motion/approach during your Sims lives. You are able to strategized to achieve a career. I wrote a memo in my notes about tones staying the same throughout the day, however I seem to forgot to mention completely what is a tone. Based on my notes, it appears a tone would be a mood your Sim was experiencing. Its mood would effectively influence its performance at work. Plus throughout the work day, you are given opportunities, sometimes several throughout the day, providing rewards and advancements.

But of course, if you’re a work-a-holic, you’re going to need to find that balance between work and your life at home in The Sims 3.

Some of the careers we saw were a Science Center Career, a military career. Interesting enough Lyndsay touted that being in the military career, that one of your objectives would be showing your date your “jet”. Plus as you walk down the street, people are saluting you.

How much more realistic can it get?

I’ll leave you on this note…and that would be cheat codes. Some of our favorite Sims 2 cheat codes are making its way into The Sims 3. While The Sims team said they weren’t certain whether the codes would be phrased exactly the same, what it does would essentially remain the same.

Our last and final installment, which should be up this weekend, will be focusing on the Create a Sim, and Build Mode.

Stay tune and thanks for your patience. Oh, and I’ll be uploading some photos from the fan-day J.

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"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your truth, we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and renown are the desires of our souls." Isaiah 26:8