Sims 3 Generations Interview with Ryan Vaughan

Sims 3 Generations has been officially announced as we all know by now but I am still kind of disappointed that we wont see the weather just yet. I read the interview from gameplanet with Ryan Vaughan and it’s interesting to see when he is being asked about the weather, it is as if he completely ignored the question!

Gameplanet: Why have you chosen Generations as your next expansion to the Sims? What flaw do you hope it will address from Sims 3?

Ryan Vaughan: In The Sims 3 and previous expansion packs, we found that players really found a “sweet spot” in the game once they progressed their Sims to the Young Adult and Adult life phases.

With The Sims 3 Generations, we wanted to go back to the core of The Sims 3 and give our players the ability to tell deeper, richer, and more complete life stories through tons of new age-specific content and features.

GP: Many Sims 3 fans are concerned there isn’t enough to do around the home and Generations would imply family interactions – do you believe the expansion will address their concerns?

EA's Ryan Vaughan, Producer for The Sims 3 Generations.

Vaughan: I think our players are going to be blown away, not only by how much new content and features we’ve crammed into this Expansion, but by how much fun it is to play! While players will have the ability to tell the “Family Story” with their Sims, this pack is really more about what makes each stage of life unique and interesting.

Plus with Pranks, Booby Traps, and out of control Bachelor Parties (where you never know who will show up…), Generations has way more going on than just family interactions!

GP: How many generations are there and how will traits affect different generations? Will there be traits specific to generations?

Vaughan: Players can create as many generations of Sims as they can handle! We’ve also added two new Traits; Nurturing and Rebellious. While they’re not specific to any one life phase in the game, they’ll provide different benefits to Sims throughout their lifespan!

GP: Many fans have been hoping for seasonal/weather effects and pets for the next Sims expansion. Will these be included in Generations? If not, why not?

Vaughan: The Sims 3 Generations focuses on the Sims themselves; who they are and how they interact with each other at different ages. For example, we really wanted the Child age of Sims to be about imagination and make believe; the things that are going on inside their mind, and not necessarily the outside world. Each life phase is defined by how Sims are feeling internally.

GP: Can you describe the celebrations and their function, are they more than “something to do”? Will there be any seasonal celebrations such as Halloween?

Vaughan: There are four new celebration types: Graduation Parties, Teen Parties, Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties, and new Wedding Ceremonies. Each new party type has tons of fun new interactions as well as some hilarious new functionality. You never know what might happen at a Teen or Bachelorette party!

GP: Could you talk us through the memories system, its genesis and implementation?

Order Sims 3 Generations

Vaughan: In The Sims 3 Generations, Sims can now track Memories of significant life moments in their Scrapbook, and for the first time ever in The Sims, players can upload and share their Sims’ memories on Facebook and TheSims3.com. Your Sim’s first kiss? First WooHoo? It can all be uploaded and shared online with a screenshot and custom description of your Sim’s memory. You can even create you own memories in the game and share them as well!

GP: What would you say to those Sims fans who say that Generations sounds like it should be a content update rather than a stand-alone expansion?

Vaughan: I’d say that with the brand new Teen Pranks and Booby Traps alone, The Sims 3 Generations is so much more than a content update. With Imaginary Friends, Bachelor Parties, Romantic Reputations, Memories, and the Day Care profession (just to name a few), our players are going to be blown away with how many new game changing features we’ve added!

GP: Will there be any new user-generated content features in Generations? If so, how will it be implemented; if not, why not?

Vaughan: I’m really excited about the brand new Video Cameras in The Sims 3 Generations! Not only can your Sims record home videos of their children growing up, but they can take the Data Discs out of the camera and replay their home movies on most of the in-game TV screens! Players can create tons of new movies with these objects that their Sims will enjoy throughout their lifetimes… We can’t wait to see what great new content our players will create with them!

[Sims 3 Generations Interview from Gameplanet]

But even though there is no weather, Sims 3 Generations sounds like fun with some new things like:

New community playground with many recreational items for kids which includes a slide, climbing tower, sandbox, seesaw, swing and hopscotch field.
Neighbors can call the police if young Sims play pranks on them. Parents can punish them too.
Sims can tell scary stories and some Sims may have nightmares.
Wedding Arch object returns and Sims can cut the wedding cake together.
DATING is back…
With the video camera, Sims can make videos of themselves and watch them on TV.

After reading this interview, what do you think of Sims 3 Generations?