African Safari EP
The idea of additional animal/adventure related content always has some level of interest. Of course, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. If you are interested in a pack like this, what elements would you like to see in it? If you're not immediately interested in a pack like this, what additions would you like to see to increase its desirability for you?
As a general starting point, this would be heavily animal facing. 100% nonviolent (which is a given), with a focus on conservation. This EPs approach to conservation would be more in the realm of zoology, research, and adventure, as opposed to the litter and smog based systems in Island living or Eco-living, as the main focus here is the animals. Regarding Zoo's, the theme should steer away from traditional Zoo's and focus more on game reserves, this pack should not attempt to be a Zoo Simulator.
Here are some central feature ideas to get some conversation going. The pack should bring additional gameplay across worlds. Most features, including wildlife, should be available across all worlds in some capacity. An immersive and vibrant Serengeti or Delta world would be a game-changer, but new gameplay should not be limited to this new environment.
The Sims 4: Go Wild
Wildlife Reserves
Based on Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, or similar locales. Expansive open spaces dotted with baobabs and acacias and teaming with wildlife. Visit in the wet or dry season for flooded plains or a dry scorched landscape. Drive down the rutted dirt roads in search of wildlife to view, or maybe you're just trying to find your safari lodge and avoid a Big Cat encounter. After the long drive, escape the African heat by taking a dip in a watering hole, just watch out for Crocs lurking beneath the surface...
Native animals
African Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Gazelle, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hornbill, Ostrich, Baboons, Hyenas. Not all species can be created, of course, so focusing on ones with similar body structures for animation purposes could better utilize resources. If horses arrive soon, the equine animations and meshes, along with existing Dog and Cat meshes and animations could likely provide a decent number of foundational resources for the animal design. Some scaling, minor anatomical, and texture changes would be needed, but with these foundational assets, the resources needed to produce various species could decrease significantly. After all, we not only had dogs, cats, and horses in the Sims 3, but also deer, raccoons, skunks, birds, and reptiles.
Zoologist Career
Study wild animals in their natural habitat. Make your way across the treacherous roads of the game reserve to a remote research station. Climb trees, pitch tents, and follow the herds of the Serengeti while taking notes, photographs, and swooning over newborn cubs (from afar). Send reports back to HQ using the radio tower and walkie-talkies. Maybe one day you'll have an article written about you in the National Simographic magazine!
Widlife Film Maker Career
Nat Geo, Discovery Channel, BBC-Nature documentaries are powerful and fun. New recording equipment, rigged jeeps, trail cams, drones, etc. If you work hard, your video AND/OR photo content could be featured by the new National Simographic (need a better name) magazine and channel.
Park Ranger NPC
The champions of the forest. Lovingly protecting our world's natural beauty, but be sure to follow all rules and regulations during your visit to the reserve, or your friendly neighborhood park ranger may write you a friendly citation!
Jeeps and ATVs
A necessary tool to navigate the African bush. Take the top off and feel the wind in your hair and sun on your skin...just maybe not around the Lions. Hopefully, cars would come before this EP, so this pack would not introduce vehicles for the first time, just a new variation.
Other Features
Glamping
New ways to camp: Raised platform safari huts, Yurts, and expedition tents that we can actually enter/design.
African Foliage & Harvesables
Acacia Trees, Baobab Trees, River Reeds, Vanilla, Passionfruit, Jackfruit, Papaya, Dates...
African Inspired Dances, Events, and Cultural Items
Traditional Dances, Fruit Baskets (for harvesting), Basket Weaving, Ground Fire cooking...
Hand Carved Wooden Canoes and Oars
Just think this would be fun, albeit not that different from the Outriggers in Island Living.
New Lot Types
Research Station, Game Reserve
Tree Climbing
For practical use in Wildlife related careers and for fun.
New Death Types
Death by Crocodile (Pulled under in a watering hole)
Minor Details
Addition of an Animal Planet style channel on TVs, New Radio Station, African Drums...
Do any of these ideas seem of interest to you? What would you like to see in a Wildlife Safari/African Themed Pack?
The idea of additional animal/adventure related content always has some level of interest. Of course, this isn't everyone's cup of tea. If you are interested in a pack like this, what elements would you like to see in it? If you're not immediately interested in a pack like this, what additions would you like to see to increase its desirability for you?
As a general starting point, this would be heavily animal facing. 100% nonviolent (which is a given), with a focus on conservation. This EPs approach to conservation would be more in the realm of zoology, research, and adventure, as opposed to the litter and smog based systems in Island living or Eco-living, as the main focus here is the animals. Regarding Zoo's, the theme should steer away from traditional Zoo's and focus more on game reserves, this pack should not attempt to be a Zoo Simulator.
Here are some central feature ideas to get some conversation going. The pack should bring additional gameplay across worlds. Most features, including wildlife, should be available across all worlds in some capacity. An immersive and vibrant Serengeti or Delta world would be a game-changer, but new gameplay should not be limited to this new environment.
The Sims 4: Go Wild
Wildlife Reserves
Based on Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, or similar locales. Expansive open spaces dotted with baobabs and acacias and teaming with wildlife. Visit in the wet or dry season for flooded plains or a dry scorched landscape. Drive down the rutted dirt roads in search of wildlife to view, or maybe you're just trying to find your safari lodge and avoid a Big Cat encounter. After the long drive, escape the African heat by taking a dip in a watering hole, just watch out for Crocs lurking beneath the surface...
Native animals
African Elephant, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Gazelle, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Hornbill, Ostrich, Baboons, Hyenas. Not all species can be created, of course, so focusing on ones with similar body structures for animation purposes could better utilize resources. If horses arrive soon, the equine animations and meshes, along with existing Dog and Cat meshes and animations could likely provide a decent number of foundational resources for the animal design. Some scaling, minor anatomical, and texture changes would be needed, but with these foundational assets, the resources needed to produce various species could decrease significantly. After all, we not only had dogs, cats, and horses in the Sims 3, but also deer, raccoons, skunks, birds, and reptiles.
Zoologist Career
Study wild animals in their natural habitat. Make your way across the treacherous roads of the game reserve to a remote research station. Climb trees, pitch tents, and follow the herds of the Serengeti while taking notes, photographs, and swooning over newborn cubs (from afar). Send reports back to HQ using the radio tower and walkie-talkies. Maybe one day you'll have an article written about you in the National Simographic magazine!
Widlife Film Maker Career
Nat Geo, Discovery Channel, BBC-Nature documentaries are powerful and fun. New recording equipment, rigged jeeps, trail cams, drones, etc. If you work hard, your video AND/OR photo content could be featured by the new National Simographic (need a better name) magazine and channel.
Park Ranger NPC
The champions of the forest. Lovingly protecting our world's natural beauty, but be sure to follow all rules and regulations during your visit to the reserve, or your friendly neighborhood park ranger may write you a friendly citation!
Jeeps and ATVs
A necessary tool to navigate the African bush. Take the top off and feel the wind in your hair and sun on your skin...just maybe not around the Lions. Hopefully, cars would come before this EP, so this pack would not introduce vehicles for the first time, just a new variation.
Other Features
Glamping
New ways to camp: Raised platform safari huts, Yurts, and expedition tents that we can actually enter/design.
African Foliage & Harvesables
Acacia Trees, Baobab Trees, River Reeds, Vanilla, Passionfruit, Jackfruit, Papaya, Dates...
African Inspired Dances, Events, and Cultural Items
Traditional Dances, Fruit Baskets (for harvesting), Basket Weaving, Ground Fire cooking...
Hand Carved Wooden Canoes and Oars
Just think this would be fun, albeit not that different from the Outriggers in Island Living.
New Lot Types
Research Station, Game Reserve
Tree Climbing
For practical use in Wildlife related careers and for fun.
New Death Types
Death by Crocodile (Pulled under in a watering hole)
Minor Details
Addition of an Animal Planet style channel on TVs, New Radio Station, African Drums...
Do any of these ideas seem of interest to you? What would you like to see in a Wildlife Safari/African Themed Pack?