The Sims 2 has a tough act to follow -The Sims is the top selling game of all time and has built a large and very loyal following.  These fans are very interested in The Sims 2, and are curious about the game's new features as well as how it will preserve the core gameplay that they have come to know and love.  We're just as curious as anyone as to what's in store for our beloved sims in The Sims 2, so we asked a few questions of Lucy Bradshaw, VP of PC Development, to find out ...

GT: The Sims games on video game consoles have introduced goal-based play to The Sims, will there be any of this type of play in The Sims 2?

A multigenerational family relaxes at home.

Lucy: The new gameplay surrounding fulfilling a Sims dreams does reward players for helping a Sim meet his or her lifetime aspirational goals. A Sim with a high Aspiration score will not only have unique behaviors, other Sims will respond differently to them in certain cases and they will be able to use reward objects that help them on other fronts in the game.

So, yes, there are goals to fulfill but it not as level based as the course we took in the console design.

GT: Are there any new motives or skills in the game, or will these remain the same as in the original game?

Lucy: While in the original Sims, they were all about their needs…..I need to go to the bathroom, I need energy, in Sims 2 the play is focused around what a Sim wants. Each Sim has a lifelong goal, so as you play them you help them to fulfill their wants to achieve along their aspirational goal or on the flip side you can indulge in their fears.

As for the needs, each age group has some different sensibilities about their needs. Rather than add complexity we decided using this means to give Sims more character would be fun. For example, Teen Sims are much more satisfied if they get to socialize with their friends vs. their family, and Grampa, well he may need to use the loo more often.

 

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