TS3 Creator's Camp: Day 2, 10:30
Me again! OK, so as promised in my last post, here are some further details I have learned about Create A Sim and some other little snippets of further details.
So other than the obvious visual improvements over Sims 2 for creating a Sim we also see a lot more in depth customization of the Sims anatomy.
You've heard lots about the traits system already I'm sure but it transpires that the traits that are used in the game were inspired by the adjectives people use in personal ads to describe themselves. Then the animators took the stereotypical extremes of bodily behaviours for each and applied them to the game, needless to say usually with comedic results!
You can choose to give a Sim between 1 and 5 traits so you don't have to assign them all. If you want a trait to dominate a Sim's behaviour then just assign one trait, giving them a one track mind, so a Childish trait only Sim won't be able to resist playing with any kids toys they come across, and Evil Sims wont be able to resist the temptation to steal candy from babies. Assigning more traits will generate a deeper personality.
Traits can be changed later in the game with one of the buyable lifetime rewards, in this case, "midlife crisis", which will randomise the traits and spin your Sim into a whole new way of life!
The size and shape sliders that add weight and muscle to a Sim is very detailed, behaving differently by gender. The developers realized that men carry weight in different places to women, so this is reflected in the game.
Hair styles can be custom to each clothing category, so if your Sim has long hair, you could choose for her to wear it up whenever dressed in formalwear or sportswear. Styles can also change in/after using the shower, so Sims with long hair that's normally up might be seen with it down while showering. Elders can now have any color hair rather than the default grey, or just add some highlights or deep roots for some extra effect. I'll be looking for some blue rinse grannies real soon!
Facial detail is on a whole new level. Eyebrow colors are independent of hair, as is facial hair. Eyelashes have a length slider and freckles and beauty marks can also be custom colors, independent of anything else. Makeup and face paint can be used in limitless combinations.
Shoes are interchangeable with any outfit, as are socks and stockings, so I'm really looking forward to seeing that 'socks & sandals' look bought right back up to date!
Music plays a bigger part in Sims lives too. You can set a favourite style of music to a Sim who will receive a moodlet boost whenever he hears his favourite tunes.
After creating your perfect Sim you now have an option to "Create a Twin". One of the developers pointed out that she often uses this to create several identical Sims before reassigning their age, creating a new family that truly looks alike.
On a global scale, Sim life spans can be adjusted on a slider, the default being a game tuned 95 days per Sim, but this can be anywhere you choose between 25 and 1000. This affects all Sims in the game though, and the age ranges will all be stretched pro-rata.
Thats me for now, back later!
/Steve