At first The Sims 4 is all like Twilight, but then it's all like Kerbal Space Program

by: Randy - posted: 8/21/2013 10:51:00 PM

You pretty much have no choice but to watch The Sims 4 video below to explain that headline. This narrated walkthrough of just one evening's get-together shows off a surprising range of ways the story can branch off. Emotions are the new hotness in The Sims 4, so being flirty or furious or depressed or vengeful adds a rich narrative layer to the Sims run-of-the-mill actions. There's still a ton of room for you to fill in the blanks, which is perfect. These emotions, thankfully, take The Sims series deeper, rather than wider -- which is all the expansion packs typically do. Besides, right out of the box, The Sims 4 gives its characters access to witchcraft and spacecraft, so the drama gets all supernatural and outer space, right from the get go.

I'll never fall for EA's extortion-level $30 and $40 expansion pack prices. But I might not have a choice when it comes to plain vanilla The Sims 4. Haters gonna hate, but after 13 years, there's still nothing out there like The Sims.
   

​REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 20, 2013 – Life just got better. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced the first details for The Sims™ 4, the next-generation of the hit life simulator franchise launching in 2014. The Sims 4 gives fans an entirely new way to experience the excitement and delight of life’s moments. Built on a brand new technology platform, The Sims 4 empowers players to create and control an entirely new generation of Sims like never before. Through powerful new creative tools and dynamic, emotion-rich gameplay, every relationship is interwoven to create a ripple effect that shapes the life journey of the Sims. The world debut gameplay trailer for The Sims 4 is available to view at www.TheSims.com.

“Over 10 years ago, we created a genre, now we’re taking our most revolutionary step forward by focusing on the heart of the franchise, the Sims themselves,” said Rachel Franklin, VP and Executive Producer for The Sims 4. “The magic of The Sims has always come from the combination of the player’s creativity and the Sims’ free will, and in The Sims 4 we’re taking this further by unlocking more possibilities and deeper gameplay opportunities. The Sims 4 is the bold leap for the franchise where each Sim now has a rich emotional center that drives meaningful social interactions. Your ability to affect the mind, body and heart of these new Sims brings your stories to life in a way that is more personal than ever before.”
 
The Sims 4 brings all new ways to play with life. Built on the foundation of a brand new technology platform, the nuance and delight of being human come together to create more intelligent, more emotionally rich and more relatable Sims. These Sims have evolved into beings whose every action is informed and affected by interactions and emotional states. Because players are in control of life’s triumphs and failures, life’s moments make stories richer, Sims more relatable and their homes more personal. Pair these revolutionary new Sims with brand new creative tools that are powerful, agile and tactile, and the result is a provocative new gameplay experience that powers a new era for The Sims.
 
Pre-orders begin today at www.TheSims.com/TheSims4. Those who pre-order now will receive the Limited Edition which comes with the Life of the Party Digital Content. The Sims 4 will be available for PC in 2014 and is not yet rated by the ESRB. For the latest on The Sims 4 please visit the all-new franchise website at www.TheSims.com